Merc 60 idles hot on stand

wyowoodwrkr

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Nov 25, 2005
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19
Hello, first post; been reading this forum for a month and am impressed. I have a new to me 1993 60 HP 3 cyl, serial OD194982. Have built a stand for it using other posters recommendations, Thank you. Anyway started it in the kitchen for the first time today. Was under the impression that water pickup was from 7 vertical beveled holes directly above prop both sides, No telltale. Raised water level in barrel to cover 4 horizontil slots both sides. Started right up with good telltale but stream running warm and with apparent exhaust in telltale stream. Alarm sounded on controls after about a minute and I have not restarted it. Is this normal or a head gasket leak? I am not an outboard mechanic but am willing to become one. I have 2 manuals for this motor; Mercury and Clymers, Can't seem to find the answer there. Any help appreciated. Thank you.
 

AMD Rules

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Sep 23, 2004
Messages
1,707
Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Did you say kitchen?<br /><br />What alarm came on? Continuous beep, or intermittent beep...beep...beep?<br /><br />The fact that you see the tell-tale stream is a good sign, but the addition of vapor/exhaust may indicate it is getting too hot. You may have a worn out impeller.<br /><br />Is your oil reservoir full to provide the 50:1 ratio it needs? Note that is not cooking oil....even though you may have it handy at that moment....lol
 

saumon

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Aug 2, 2004
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1,452
Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Oh my god! I had the exact same motor as you.<br /><br />I bet you're single. Why not trying to decarb it in the kitchen too.<br /><br />Seriously, they don't have removeable heads, so no gaskets. As AMD says, depending on the kind of beep, could be a worn impeller (overheating is steady beep). Intermittent beep doesn't mean that your engine is not getting enough oil to lubricate, it just mean that the oil is low in the reservoir.
 

wyowoodwrkr

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Nov 25, 2005
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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Thanks for the quick replies. Yea I'm single; widowed, but getting used to it. Anyway I shut it down on continuos beep. The oil tank is full and in addition I am testing it with a tank of 50:1 mix. I guess my next step is to change water pump/impeller; but why exahust in telltale and why no coolant pickup below antiventilation plate? You're both invited for breakfast next Sunday, sausage and eggs over easy in 2 cycle mmm my favorite.
 

wyowoodwrkr

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Nov 25, 2005
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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Gees now I've got another question. Since I'm finding this overheat problem on my first test run of this motor (yes, in my kitchen), what do I look for to tell me if there has been prior heat damage? Thanks.
 

AMD Rules

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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

The water intake is in the narrow part of the foot, behind the prop. What you called bevelled ports. The horizontal ports above the antiventilation plate are not inlet ports.<br /><br />Just guessing, but maybe the back pressure cuased when you submerge the upper ports causes the weak water supply to exit out the telltale. When not submerged the weak water supply simply exits another easier way.<br /><br />Have you done a compression check, and looked for water on the plugs yet?
 

wyowoodwrkr

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Nov 25, 2005
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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Plugs look good, no moisture. Tried a compression test: told my 5 yr old grandson to hold his tongue in each plug hole while I cranked it. He's pissed, guess I'll have to buy a guage. Thanks.
 

Clams Canino

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Jan 10, 2004
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2,179
Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Try with the "earmuffs" on a hose to see if it improves. Motor has to be submerged to cavitation plate to do it right in a barrel.<br /><br />-W
 

AMD Rules

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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Originally posted by Clams Canino:<br /> Try with the "earmuffs" on a hose to see if it improves. Motor has to be submerged to cavitation plate to do it right in a barrel.<br /><br />-W
He can just run a hose over from the kitchen sink...lol
 

Motor Boater Bill

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 29, 2005
Messages
488
Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

I hope you have a very powerful exhaust fan in that kitchen--please be careful of carbon monoxide poisoning from running the motor in there! It's nice to be warm, but it's also nice to be alive!
 

wyowoodwrkr

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Joined
Nov 25, 2005
Messages
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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

No exhaust fan but in Wyoming this time of year if you open both the the front door and back at the same time you create a cold wind tunnel. Just started pulling bottom end this evening; gear fluid black and smells like 90 weight but no shavings. I'll post back when I get further into it. Thanks.
 

wyowoodwrkr

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Nov 25, 2005
Messages
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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Finally Saturday. I pulled the lower end off and took water pump apart, impeller looks like new. Top gasket (black with factory looking clear silicone beads) was missing about an inch in the rear and half that in the front. Would this be enough to cause overheating in test tank? Thanks. Also How do I add pics to these posts? I've got a hellava motor stand built with all your help.
 

saumon

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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

To add a pic:<br /><br />1- click on "Full Reply Form"<br />2- then on "Image"<br />3- and copy the url (web address) of your pic, that you previously post on some kind of image hosting site (like www.imageshack.us or www.myfishingpictures.com where you create a free account and upload the pictures).<br /><br />Feel free to ask if you need help. I'd really like to see an outboard running in the kitchen :D
 

wyowoodwrkr

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Joined
Nov 25, 2005
Messages
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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Thankyou to all that have replied to this thread. Got parts, installed complete new waterpump kit; started right up with good cool telltale and no heat alarm after 5 minutes of idle. It's 17 degrees outside, front and back doors open, woodstove is stoked. The black garden hose is feed to barrel from outside spigot, green hose connected to 120V submersible pond pump removes water at same rate as input (I don't want a mess in the kitchen!) This is my first attempt at posting pics, hope it works.
083254.JPG
083253.JPG
 

saumon

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Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Man, you're crazy!! I really had to show this to my girlfriend: she think i care too much about my engine (i had the exact same as you), she'll see that some peoples were worst than me!!!<br /><br />BTW, really nice stand, with fire extinguisher and everything, you even built a clamp for the lower unit. Nice work!
 

AMD Rules

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Sep 23, 2004
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1,707
Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Those pictures are fantastic! And the stand you built is even better! Probably the best stand I have seen yet. Thumbs-up.<br /><br />I think I may have found a picture of someone you know:<br /><br />
Gas-Mask-Dish-washing.jpg
 

inlineal

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 19, 2005
Messages
46
Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

Hey wyo !!...You could have your grandson hold on to a spark plug wire while his tongue is over the plug hole..He would be grounded and any shaking and shuddering of his little wimpy body would indicate spark...What A guy !!!...
 

Ralphy

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 7, 2004
Messages
280
Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

DUDE!!! I wanna party with you! That is just too cool! Looks like you are well on your way to hitting the water once the ice melts!
 

wyowoodwrkr

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Joined
Nov 25, 2005
Messages
19
Re: Merc 60 idles hot on stand

I appreciate all the kind words regarding the motor stand; I'm pretty proud of it cause it does just what it's supposed to. Special thanks to Saumon for teaching me how to post pics. And AMD Rules: that girl is pretty, she's got kind of a big nose but I could get used to it, if she's single have her give me a shout.
 
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