Flushing - What is normal?

[lowell7963]

I love this site. I'm a new boat owner, last year. Just now getting my 24ft pontoon ready for this season. It has a 50HP Mercury 4 Stroke. Just to check the motor I put the muffs on and idled the motor. Everything looked good, tell tale etc. My question is there was a good bit of water coming at the top of the gearbox, under the cowl, I guess you would call it. Is this normal?

 

[Shockley]

Re: Flushing - What is normal?

That is not normal. You should see water come from the pitot tube at the rear of the motor. This is usually on the right rear if the motor if looking at the motor from the rear of the boat. If you have water coming from under the cowling this is a sign that you have a leak. Pull the cowling, and with the motor off, turn the water on and see if you can find where the water is coming from. It could be as simple as a loose hose connection or as major as a cracked block. When in doubt, pull it to a boat mechanic. A little education from a professional can save you thousands! Good luck. Send photos, they help diagnose problems.

 

[lowell7963]

Re: Flushing - What is normal?

Thanks Shockley. Actually most of the water was coming out of the rear of the motor, but some was definitely from under the cowling. I'm fairly mechanically apt, but haven't worked on outboards. I'm assuming pulling the cowling is not invasive as it is only a cover, right? I looked it over and see only a few bolts, so no big deal, right?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Flushing - What is normal?

Thanks Shockley. Actually most of the water was coming out of the rear of the motor, but some was definitely from under the cowling. I'm fairly mechanically apt, but haven't worked on outboards. I'm assuming pulling the cowling is not invasive as it is only a cover, right? I looked it over and see only a few bolts, so no big deal, right?

are you sure we are talking about the same cowl? The cowl on an outboard is the very top part. No bolts required, just a lever to move and it pops right off.

was it maybe coming from the top exhaust port? Most outboards have two exhaust ports. In a normal outboard you will have water coming out of 3 locations: the prop, the water pump tell-tale (aka the pee hole), and the top exhaust port.

 

[lowell7963]

Re: Flushing - What is normal?

Ok, I'm definitely a newbie with the terms. I couldn't get a pic uploaded which would have been easier. Starting at the bottom there is the lower unit, there is a "flange", then the gear oil vent and level plugs, then a flange, then a plastic cover of sorts that extends up to the motor itself. This cover appears to protect the drive shaft and hoses or whatever is under it. What I saw was water coming under the plasting cover where the cover mates up to the "flange". Of course when the boat is in the water this is below the water line so I don't know what is normal.

Yeah the area around the motor under the cowl is dry and clean.

 

[Shockley]

Re: Flushing - What is normal?

That cover is more for looks than function. There is possibly a loose hose connection under there. I would suggest you pull the cover off and look. Unless it is still under warranty, this is the plan of attack I would take first. Smokingcrater is correct, you should see water coming out of all of these ports. The "pee hole" is the only forceful water. The exhaust ports are normally just drops of water coming out sporadically.