Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

[wjob]

Changed impellar and sure I reinserted lower unit correctly but not getting any water flow out tell tale nor was I before changing impellar. Someone said there is a rubber seal/grommet at top of water tube, just under power head that histoically has caused flow problems. Any suggestions on some way to clean that area out short of pulling power head. I've tried putting a red hot heavy wire up there hoping it would burn away blockage but not helping. Any other suggestions?

thanks

 

[ezeke]

Re: Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

The outlet fitting on the tell-tale is easily clogged because it is only 1/8 in diameter. Is the engine actually overheating, or could the outlet be the problem?

 

[OBJ]

Re: Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

What ezeke said......stick a piece of wire up into the tell tale hole or blow back through with compressed air. May just be plugged up like ezeke said.

 

[wjob]

Re: Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

I'm sure it's not the telltale outlet hole. That is clear.
As I said, they tell me lots of people had trouble with that grommet that sits on top of the water tube under the powerhead. And my motor definitely runs hot.

Suggestions?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

The first thing to look at is the tell tale. Make sure it is clear both ends and all the way through.

You still get no flow, or a low flow, and the engine is overheating then the grommet at the top of the water tube is very likely to be the cause. Corrosion between it and the inner exhast tube fop flange, in which it fits, compresses the grommet over the top of the water tube and restricts, or even cuts off, the water flow.

With the lower unit off connect a hose to the water tube and see if you can get a flow. No, or very little flow points to the grommet as the case of the trouble. You can confirm it by pushing a stiff wire up the tube. If you come up against something resilient (squidgy) thats the grommet blocking the top of the tupe but if you get to something quite solid feeling then the grommet is probably not the trouble.

It has been suggested that you can make a cutter to cut a way through but it is only a temporary solution. Really the answer is to take the power head off and renew the grommet. You don't want to cut the grommet away so that it does not seal properly or allows the copper tube to come in contact with the aluminum exhaust tube.

It would be sensible to check the thermostat if you get a good flow from the telltale but the engine overheats. Beyond that and the water tube grommet then you may be looking at corroded or scaled up water passages especially in the head.

You may find the engine diagrams on the BRP website useful if you do not have a manual.
http://epc.brp.com/default.aspx?brands=ej&lang=E


Afterthought: you are sure you got the water tube located in the water pump OK and that the bottom grommet is OK and in position

 

[wjob]

Re: Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

Great information Vic. Thanks much.

Based on what you told me I'll do more investigating and let you know what I find.

Bill

 

[clanton]

Re: Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

Remove the powerhead replace the grommet. New grommet should fit below the flare of the tube, this will shorten tube about 1/4 inch. Rebending the tube will gain back the 1/4 inch.

 

[renelson]

Re: Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

Hi, I think I'm having the same problem. When the engine stopped "peeing", I removed the lower unit, removed the copper water tube and reinserted the tube into the upper grommet. It seemed to pump again. Well, I was duck hunting yesterday and noticed that it was not peeing again. I am pretty sure that it is the same problem.

My question: Is there an easier way to replace that upper grommet other than removing the powerhead? By the looks of it, that would take an ameteur like me a week to fix!!

 

[clanton]

Re: Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

Renelson,
The tube is not supposed to come out from the bottom. How goes- it in Jacksonville these days?

 

[renelson]

Re: Johnson '83 15hp cooling problems

Actually, I should've looked at the obvious first. This time it was a peice of debris that was clogging the plastic nipple coming out of the powerhead...I hate it when my nipples get clogged...

clanton, things in Jacsonville are good. I'm separating from the Air Force in September, so things will be crazy for a while...no job. My wife will be glad though...no more depoyments!!