9.8 Blows my mind

[Ivan Y]

I just bought this motor today. Serial # 5318923 or about a 1980 or 81 (I think) I'm going to replace the impellar but can anyone help me with this riddle?<br />Running out of gear I get intermittant or no water flow from the tale tell. In gear it cools just fine and pumps a constant strong stream???? I thought an impeller worked or it didn't???? <br />Anyone with any ideas would be appreciated before I tear into it. <br />Also, before I tear into it (I've worked on nothing but OMC's before now)Does anyone have any other advise??<br />Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Byteme]

Re: 9.8 Blows my mind

Lots of Merc's behave this way. Little or no water, little spurts here and there and its OK and still cools well. There are quite a few that overheat this way as well and end up as boat anchors too so I don't know what to tell you. <br />Are there exhaust gasses coming out if the tattle tale as well??? Might have a cracked head too. I replaced the impellar and tore a 1979 9.8 down pretty far to find blockage as well with no positive results. It still overheated. Cost me a heck of a lot of time and great frustration. This is a major issue with many Merc's. Tie a rope to it and chuck it overboard now before you put too much time and energy into it.<br /><br />Sell it and go with a Johnson or Evinrude. That way there is a constant stream to know if the impeller is actually functioning correctly is the only sure fire remedy that I know of.<br /><br />Who's else has problems like this with thier Merc's?? Major flaw in my opinion and why I stay away from them.

 

[Byteme]

Re: 9.8 Blows my mind

By the way, its a 1979, not 80 or 81. Not worth the trouble in my opinion.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 9.8 Blows my mind

Byteme, it is not a good idea to give the sort of advice you have just given. The experiences you have represent a very small percentage of a company and product line that spans thousands of units. Heck, All I ever work on is Johnsons and Evinrudes. I know a lot of people who own Mercs and have no problems, yet I know countless people who have problems with OMCs. Does that mean OMCs are inferior just based on what I see? Not at all, they make a fine product. As much as I love Merc, I also have grown quite fond of the old Johnyrudes. I just scored a 15 horse yesterday that I plan to get going, and I look foward to it despite the fact that it is not a Merc.<br /><br />This forum does not exist to product bash or to tell people to throw their motors away just based on your one infinitesimal experience. This forum exists to help people fix what they have. If you could not fix the problem with your particular motor, that is an indicator of your skill level at outboard repair, not the product you are repairing, so lets just stay objective.<br /><br />Ivan, replace the impellor, check the housing for cracks, wear gooves, make sure the tube that leads to the powerhead seats properly, that sort of thing. Good luck and keep us posted...

 

[Ivan Y]

Re: 9.8 Blows my mind

I know Byteme fairly well and consider him to be a friend.<br />However, I just bought this motor. The advise to "throw it overboard" isn't a good answer. I hope your just jabbing me in the ribs. I would appreciate it, however, if you don't have some positive advise for me to figure out the issues, leave your negative opinions to yourself.<br /><br />Why would this motor pump a great stream running in gear and nothing but a super hot steam vapor at low, medium and high idle??? This is what blows me away.<br /><br />When its pumping a stream, it appears to run at a decent temperature. If it is at idle, I'm about 99% sure it is WAY too hot and will score the pistons for sure to leave it this way.

 

[Bob H.]

Re: 9.8 Blows my mind

I-Y, water flow is dependent on engine rpm's on some models. A worn impellor at low rpm's doesn't provide much cooling, but rev to a few K rpm's and the impellor will pump enough to get by...for a while.

 

[Ivan Y]

Re: 9.8 Blows my mind

I'll replace the impeller and see what happens. I hope its nothing more.