No water Output from Engine

[jeremiah22]

First off, I wanted to say Hello to all. <br /><br />I have a 1989 Force 125 no Model##... I bought this boat as a project for my son and I. The motor starts, and idles but no water flow. I shut the engine off after 15 seconds or so. This is my first boat, so I am not sure how long it takes to fill the water jacket. I have pulled the lower unit and replaced the water pump, with a complete rebuild kit. I flushed the engine with a garden hose, to see if any debris came out. Water runs through the engine and out pretty clean. I have tried using a flush kit and dipping the LU in a bushel basket, but the water is just above the intake slots.... <br /><br />Now for the real question, where in the heck is the thermostat??? I have the Manual but haven't yet found the thermostat.<br /><br />Any help or suggestions would be great.

 

[12Footer]

Re: No water Output from Engine

Howdy, and welcome aboard, Jeremiah.<br />Above the top spark plug on the head, there is a buldge. Remove this plate to get at the thermostat.<br />They should be changed-out at the same time as the impeller. But keep in mind that they sometimes take as long as 2 minutes to open all the way.

 

[jeremiah22]

Re: No water Output from Engine

Thanks for the info. <br /><br />So, is it safe to run the engine with a flush kit even if there is no water coming out at first? as long as it is supplied to the impeller...

 

[cinder1995]

Re: No water Output from Engine

Yep.<br /><br />Mine doesn't spray water out when hooked up to the ear muffs either.<br />Apparently Force's are notorious for this.

 

[Estaver]

Re: No water Output from Engine

check your idle speed. If too low cooling flow is next to nothing.

 

[12Footer]

Re: No water Output from Engine

Whoa! No. It's ok to flush it on the muffs and not see any discharge for a short period, but never longer than two minutes, and keep an eye on the head temps anyhow, by touching them briefly.<br />(should be able to touch them for three seconds without having to remove finger from heat -- like a coffe cup).<br /> Never walk-off and leave an engine to flush, because the muffs can fall-off, or the cooling circuit could cool unevenly,even under normal conditions causing "hot spots". I've had carbon ignite, or glow in the cumbustionm chambers, causiong the motor to "run-away" to fuil RPM....With the ignition killed!<br />If you hear the RPM's begin to ramp-up when you are flushing, it's strongly adviseable to shut if off (while you still can), and plan to decarbn the motor when it cools.<br />But back to flushing, the thermostats and bypass valve take a minute or two to open. As long as the impeller is getting wet, it wont normally grenade on you, but you will still have to monitor head temps until you're familiar with the charachteristics of your motor.