Outboard Tattle-Tale question

[CPro]

I have a 2003 25 HP Johnson 2 stroke outboard that I am preparing to sell. I haven't really used the boat much in the past 2 years (other than starting it up in the yard with the muffs on)..I had used it pretty regularly up till we bought our newer boat..and since we bought that one we haven't had much use for the smaller boat.

My question is this: should water continually run from the tattle-tale/weap hole on the upper part of the engine? Or is this controlled via a thermostat? I have recently started the boat up and I think water used to continually run from here. I poked a pipe cleaner in the hole to no avail. I do notice water/exhaust sputtering out from a couple locations on the lower unit (this appears normal to me). I have not allowed the engine to heat up since I noticed the tattle-tale wasn't telling...!

Thanks for any advice you may have!

 

[ezeke]

Re: Outboard Tattle-Tale question

The tell-tale is there only to let you know that your water pump is pumping water. It should operate continuously whenever the engine is running. It does not tell you if water is cooling the engine nor is it dependent on the thermostat.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Outboard Tattle-Tale question

You may just have a problem with an insect that has built a nest in the tube. Where I live, we have such problems with mud dauber wasps. One of their favorite spots is in the nozzles of boat fire extinguishers.

I recommend removing the tube so that you have access to both ends, and simply cleaning it out. If you can't dislodge whatever is blocking it, the good news is that tubing is inexpensive.

 

[CPro]

Re: Outboard Tattle-Tale question

Sure enough....the tube was clogged! I think it was a bug of some sort.