'89 Force 125 H.P. "steams"

[doggies3]

My '89 Force 125 H.P. has held up surprisingly well, but was running hot and sounding the heat buzzer at prolonged idle. I replaced the impeller and the buzzer doesn't go off anymore, but on a cold day (you know, 50 degrees of so in CA) there is so much hot/steamy water coming out of the two holes above water that I create my own fog bank. Even on a warmer day this never seems to go away like it used to. Is my motor getting old and running just below the overheat point? I checked the thermostat and it seems to be opening O.K. Any thoughts?

 

[OBJ]

Re: '89 Force 125 H.P. "steams"

Dave...replace the T-stat anyway. The bi-metal may have broken down and the T-stat is opening at the wrong temp. You don't want to run the the ol girl until you can find the problem. If the problem persists, get a compression check, which wouldn't be a bad idea anyways. You could also have restriction in the water tube. Sometimes when mounting the lower unit, the water tube can catch the edge of the grommet in the impeller housing bending it over. This will restrict water flow to the engine. Did you replace the impeller or did a mech do the work?<br /><br />OBJim

 

[doggies3]

Re: '89 Force 125 H.P. "steams"

OutboardJim - Compression O.K., tested all cylinders at about 140. Thermostat looked pretty good - cooked it on the stove with a thermometer and it opened right up at 130 degrees if I remember correctly. What exactly are you implying with "mechanic or me" crack? Just kidding; I did it myself but seemed like a piece of cake - don't think I pinched the tube but it might be worth a check. I think I'll check the tube, replace the thremostat, then run her till she blows.

 

[OBJ]

Re: '89 Force 125 H.P. "steams"

Morning Dave...'bout 7:21am with on outside air temp. of 18 degrees. Cold. Snow. Cabin Fever. I WANNA GO FISHN'. Now that that's out. Just another question....your old impeller didn't come out in pieces did it? You got any way to check motor temp. on the water. Temp Sticks or heat gun? Bending over the water tube grommet can happen. Check the end of the tube for burrs or anything that can catch the rubber.<br /><br />Sorry I debased your mechanical abilites...LOL<br /><br />OBJim

 

[DJ]

Re: '89 Force 125 H.P. "steams"

CA Dave,<br /><br />I could be wrong about this. However, I remember reading about larger Force engines that had some plastic exhaust components either under the head or just below the powerhead. If these components melted, the water flow would be redirected to hot exhaust components-thus steam.<br /><br />Perhaps someone else can expand on this?

 

[HarleyC]

Re: '89 Force 125 H.P. "steams"

My '89 Force 125 has been "steaming" for two years now. Like you said it's more obvious in winter time. On the water it seemed to have a little water spitting out the tattletale, so I figured the pump was ok. That is til just now when I read this post. As luck would have it today I was going to do a decarb on the engine and hooked up the garden hose and ear muffs to the lower unit. I had not done a decarb job before, but ran other OB engines on the muffs with out any [problem). I turned on the water and let it go in for a while yet the water never came out anyplace. After,I ran the motor briefly, thinking it may "unplug its self", but no soap.My question is: could the circulation problem be related to the "steaming", crimped grommet or thermostat?. I thought the steam was a minor gasket leak in the manifold. Also,is this a reliable method for checking for water circulation? (not pump performance)I get no water circulating out the tattle tail or exhaust with the muffs and the engine head did get hot enough to burn my hand boil a little of that decarb fluid when I spayed some in the spark plug holes after I ran it. I figure the impellor should be changed now. I think the earmuffs may have kept it wet and ok but it has had two years use that I know of, so probably needs it anyway. I changed impellors on Mercury 650 before so is the work about the same for the force. Any Tips or Suggestions gladly accepted. HC