OK new waterpump, now what? :( what a moneypit

[johnson70VRO]

well i replaced the entire waterpump, started engine today, now the two holes exhaust ports under cowling, are gushing water like mad at idle, but my tell tale is still only dripping, i ran the motor in a trash can for 35 minutes occasionally stabbing the throttle, in neutral of course, and when i got done, i immediately grabbed a hold of the spark plugs, ICE COLD..... the plate of the port side of the boat where the tell tale comes from, ICE COLD..... cylinder head around the plugs, ice cold. i know there is no thermostat in this motor, as i removed cover and found nothing. but the question is,. could i run it like this because i know it is not overheating, or will putting a thermostat solve this mystery. i was told even without a thermostat i would have a solid pee stream. but i do not. i seem to have a impossible time finding a thermostat and gasket for my enigine, i think it is a 1989, Johnson 70 VRO, it has a square flange with 4 bolts right above cylinder 1, but everywhere i look, i see the wierd leg shaped thermostat cover with the pressure relief valve and thermostat behind the cover, mine does not look like that. also, what is behind the plate with the 15 bolts where the tell tale comes from? is that the exhaust section? could there be a blockage behind there? the water pump is working correctly and yes i put the key in, although i do not know why this kit came with a white impeller key and a black one, i used the black one. for water to come gushing out of the two exhaust holes under cowling right as i start it at idle, does that mean it is first going up and through the powerhead and back down, i dont think it comes straight from the water pump to those holes. thanks for all your help... i really need it.

 

[boobie]

Re: OK new waterpump, now what? what a moneypit

First off post a model #. Then put a thermostat and required parts in it and see what happens. Most all mtrs need thermostats to run properly.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: OK new waterpump, now what? what a moneypit

Since youv'e got strong water flow from the exhaust relief ports, you can assume the water is flowing normally through the powerhead. With no thermostat it will run cold. You really need to run a thermostat to warm the engine up while idling. That thermostat will insure that water fills to the top of the block before exiting, making sure the whole block is evenly/properly cooled. Possible the telltale line is plugged. Not unsusual. You can: run some weedwhacker line up the hose to clear it, or put some pressurized air to the telltale line and blow back when the engine is idling. That will normally clear that line.

 

[johnson70VRO]

Re: OK new waterpump, now what? what a moneypit

Since youv'e got strong water flow from the exhaust relief ports, you can assume the water is flowing normally through the powerhead. With no thermostat it will run cold. You really need to run a thermostat to warm the engine up while idling. That thermostat will insure that water fills to the top of the block before exiting, making sure the whole block is evenly/properly cooled. Possible the telltale line is plugged. Not unsusual. You can: run some weedwhacker line up the hose to clear it, or put some pressurized air to the telltale line and blow back when the engine is idling. That will normally clear that line.

Well I thought the same thing, although I took the telltale off the right angle fitting on the water jacket and its still only dripping out I hope I don't have to take the water jacket off to clear some blocked passageways underneath. Would that be a common thing? Could I blow it out that way without having to take that plate off?

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: OK new waterpump, now what? what a moneypit

you either have a stuck open thermostat or running without one.
the thermostat can be found easy when yoiu put in a model number of you engine.

ive just done mine on a 60 3 cylinder and i too have the 4 bolt thermostat cover.
the thermostat is a little tiny thing with the end that can also fall out, so be carefull when you put it back in that
you do it without dropping the centre piece out.
Now i hardly get any water from the two holes and the tell tale is very very strong.
you can just keep your finger over it ,but you need to press hard as there is so much pressure.

here is a pic of my thermostate housing and a pic of the thermostat in mine
my engine is 1995 but if the cover is the same then probably thermostat the same.

thermostat


Thermostat housing at top of engine



engine number will help us all find you the right thermostat.
make sure you get a nice new gasket as well.




phill

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: OK new waterpump, now what? what a moneypit

Try removing the nylon hose barb at the block. Start it up with the barb removed and see if you get any better flow. That should tell you if you need to pull the exhaust cover off and look for debris/sand/salt between the two exhaust covers.