Have I damaged my engine?????

[pedroofn19]

I was using my 40hp yamaha/mariner outboard and I didnt realise that the water that cools the engine wasnt coming out properly, instead of a steady stream of water there was only a trickle. There was a blockage in the exit hole which I have now cleared, the engine was only run like this for about 20 minites and not on full power at all. No warning alarm sounded and everything seemed to be running fine so have I damaged it or not ???????????? The engine didnt feel hot to the touch after this happened.

 

[sasto]

Re: Have I damaged my engine?????

I don't have the answer but....Our old Merc used to do that all the time here in the sandy salt water. I just used a piece of wire and she would pee again. Put 3000 hrs on that motor. Don't believe it ever hurt mine. I can only hope others agree. Good luck.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Have I damaged my engine?????

I was using my 40hp yamaha/mariner outboard and I didnt realise that the water that cools the engine wasnt coming out properly, instead of a steady stream of water there was only a trickle. There was a blockage in the exit hole which I have now cleared, the engine was only run like this for about 20 minites and not on full power at all. No warning alarm sounded and everything seemed to be running fine so have I damaged it or not ???????????? The engine didnt feel hot to the touch after this happened.

Do you mean the tell tale hole that indicates that the water pump is working ??? if that is the case then you have most likely done no damage whatsoever. If it was not cooling for 20 minutes I think it would have fried itself well before the 20 minutes was up. Photo of where you mean may help.
My 2 cents. Ken.

 

[pedroofn19]

Re: Have I damaged my engine?????

yes it was the pee hole that was blocked, ha ha ha

 

[lncoop]

Re: Have I damaged my engine?????

You should be fine. I've had that problem more than once without any damage. Not sure if they still are, but the little Johnnyrudes were very bad about getting sand lodged in the pee hole. I finally started keeping a piece of wire in the dry box on my jon boat for blockage removal.

 

[We're Here]

Re: Have I damaged my engine?????

Concur. If it's still running fine, then it was cooling fine. It's pretty scary to look back there and suddenly notice no tell tale though.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Have I damaged my engine?????

You're fine, the tell-tale, pee stream is not really a part of the cooling circuit, just an indicator that water is flowing through the cylinder head. Mud wasps and spiders love to build nests in those outlets, just a piece of wire should open it up.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Have I damaged my engine?????

Ya, you can completely block the tell tale and it is still pumping water, mine is just a small take off of the water jacket but the water that comes out the tale is just a very small amount of what is going throught the engine, you are fine.

 

[pedroofn19]

Re: Have I damaged my engine?????

Exellent thats a weight off my mind, thanks a lot guys.