No Water from tell tale tube

smithrc

Cadet
Joined
Mar 3, 2002
Messages
10
Took my 96 112 Johnson out this weekend for a run. Everything ran fine. When I took the boat home I tried to flush the engine with the ear muffs. When I started the motor no water came out of the indicator so I shut it down. I figured the impeller had seized or broke. I dropped the lower unit and checked the impeller. It's OK. I blew compressed air through the water tube while the lower unit was down and the air passed through the tell tale tube. Is there anything I am missing that would cause the water not to flow through the tube. Everything seems to check out. Can it take a few moments for the water to reach the tell tale? <br />Thanks :confused:
 

steve forsythe

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 7, 2001
Messages
245
Re: No Water from tell tale tube

My MERC 200hp carbed 2000 does the same thing. When i am on the water or in the water she pees fine. When i put the muffs on i almost have to give it a few good pumps of throttle in neutral to "suck" the water up and throught the thrmo. I have asked if this was normal and really no one yelled at me to get it fixed. I think the water pressure has to be real high with tight muffs to pee right away.
 

Franki

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 16, 2002
Messages
1,059
Re: No Water from tell tale tube

I don't know about mercs, but my Johnson has trouble getting water through the system initially.. I got in the habit of turning on the water, waiting a minute or so, starting the motor, then going over and holding the muffs hard against the leg to stop them leaking..<br /><br />after a moment the water starts coming out, then you can let go of the muffs.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank
 

62_Kiwi

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jan 20, 2002
Messages
1,159
Re: No Water from tell tale tube

I think it's normal for there to be a delay of around 15 or 20 seconds after you start a motor like yours, before the water starts squirting out the pee hole. The engine has to suck in enough water to fill up all the cooling passages etc. It will normally keep peeing for 10 or 20 seconds after you switch off too.<br /><br />The point being that the motor lets go of all the water in the cooling passages when it's switched off - therefore it has to refill them when you switch on.<br /><br />The water pressure and the water-tightness of the muffs will also play a part in how long this takes. I prefer tight fitting muffs and the highest water pressure I can get.
 
Top