How much water exits holes in a 1985 force 85. How do I know??

[CDBLAZERS]

I have a 1985 Force 85 motor with the model number being 856X5L and it has good compression and lower unit has checked out through my local mech. he said to go ahead and take her out so we did. This is my first boat and I just dont know how much water is supposed to be exiting the 2 "powerflow" holes in the rear of the motor. is it supposed to be a steady flow or just spitting??? on full throttle it has not a steady but a sputtering flow and I just am nervouse about over heating. My mech said that should be running about 145 degrees and told me the hand on motor test and it did check out and I never got a buzzer. The water coming out the exits was warm but tolerable. I read on another post that the motor sends most of it water out under the cavitation plate and the holes are just partial but is this true for this motor model also? Im just being cautious on my first outing. I shut it down after about 30 min of running and loaded it up till I got some real answers from you guys. Thanks <br /><br />Chris

 

[merc16]

Re: How much water exits holes in a 1985 force 85. How do I know??

cdblazers,<br /><br />there more than likely should be a steady stream of water coming out the exaust/releif holes but i am unfirmilliar with your year of motor even though i own a force myself. the most common problem could be a worn impeller (thats the water pump in the lower unit) the best thing to do to be cautious is buy a new water pump kit which if fairly cheap and pick up a manual for that year of motor and that horsepower

 

[Squeakit]

Re: How much water exits holes in a 1985 force 85. How do I know??

Hi Chris: The holes in the back of the motor are idle relief ports which prevent backpressure from killing the engine at idle speed. They will emit a spray of water and exhaust, not a steady stream. If your temp is OK and your alarm didn't go off you are probably fine. I have a 1989 Force 50 to which I added a telltale (pee hole) which gives a more visible indicator of water pump function. It is always a good idea to overhaul the water pump in an unfamiliar engine just to be safe. If you're nervous about your motor overheating than do the water pump and you'll enjoy it more. Good luck!

 

[CDBLAZERS]

Re: How much water exits holes in a 1985 force 85. How do I know??

Thanks Squeak. You were right, we "laked" today and never had any issues, Motor ran great no buzzers and felt the motor every now and again by hand for excessive heat. Everything seemed to be perfect. Thanks for the advice and knowledge. I will change that impellor next week for some added piece of mind but I had a blast today we ran probably 2 straight hours and she looked good.

 

[CDBLAZERS]

Re: How much water exits holes in a 1985 force 85. How do I know??

UPDATE!!! 3 times out noe NO problems whatso ever. Today when trailoring I backed out to get lined up for the run to the trailor after unloading my hooligans of the dock and she overheated by turning on the buzzer. I was in reverse and had been reversing for about 2 min to get lined up. is this a comon thing for overheating in reverse. I wasnt sure what to do so I shut it down then I remembered a post saying to keep it running just give it some thottle in forward to get the water moving. I did and it went off Probably was on 15 or 20 seconds. This ok or sould I have it checked out????? Thanks guys

 

[roscoe]

Re: How much water exits holes in a 1985 force 85. How do I know??

You are probably ok, but you were planing on changing the impeller anyways, right?

 

[CDBLAZERS]

Re: How much water exits holes in a 1985 force 85. How do I know??

yes I was planning on doing it . I was hoping to wait untill I got my manual but my boss (wife) says no more money on the boat thise week. it cost a bit to get her going up to par and those back year boat tags that the seller ddint keep up with. so I will be waiting. I did take it to the mech and he tells me that it seems to be moving water very well. This reverse incident just kinda concerned me. But I did read that blocking the pee holes in the back will cause this thing to overheat. well when in reverse and at a "more than ideling" throttle. those holes get blocked by water moving towards the transom. I was just wondering if that may have caused it. water pump I will buy but manual will wait a wekk or two. (library....DUH I will check there tomorrow) hheheeheh