Shes alive!!!

[100333624]

So I finally put my motor back together (1978 Merc 80hp 4cyl) and she struggled a bit to start up (hasn't ran since November) and after starting up tonight I think the starter was sticking, thankfully I have another one I can replace it with but how can I test it to make sure? It makes a weird sound after I turn the key WHEN it doesn't want to start up..

After running it the first time she was spitting water out the tattle tale, but after I turned her off and started her up again no water now..? The impeller was in very good condition, but I'm afraid it's toasted now after running for like 20 seconds without any water coming out.. Could it be that I've tightened the bolts of the water pump too tight? I don't have a torque wrench that measures the small tensions required, only a big one and so I couldn't tighten the nuts and bolt on the water pump to perfect specifications, but then how come it was working fine just seconds earlier???

First video was the first start after about 10/15 seconds in, 2nd video is the second start from key (no water from tattle tale)... My hands kept blocking the mic and this is iphone quality video so I apologize in advance....

First startup - YouTube
Second startup - YouTube

Nick

 

[100333624]

Re: Shes alive!!!

Some pics of the disassembling and assembly of the motor...

 

[100333624]

Re: Shes alive!!!

 

[100333624]

Re: Shes alive!!!

 

[100333624]

Re: Shes alive!!!

 

[100333624]

Re: Shes alive!!!

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Shes alive!!!

I would say you don't have enough water in the bucket for the pump to draw properly. Water should be no lower that the antiventilation plate. The first video shows the telltale output very erratic meaning the pump can't pickup enough water.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Shes alive!!!

20 seconds isn't going to fry anything so don't worry about it. Like Moody said, get some water over the AV plate and actually I like to have it over the water pump a couple of inches....aka 3-4 inches over the plate.

Mark

 

[100333624]

Re: Shes alive!!!

Ok that makes sense then, because the first time it had more water in it, and the second time I ran it, it had less water because all the water it was peeing out was going out of the tub so it kept drawing less and less, ok makes sense.. I was just scared it might melt the impeller than I'd have other issues.. Thanks for the info guys, I'm gonna raise the tub a bit and fill it all the way up and see how it goes and let you guys know.

Nick

 

[100333624]

Re: Shes alive!!!

I would say you don't have enough water in the bucket for the pump to draw properly. Water should be no lower that the antiventilation plate. The first video shows the telltale output very erratic meaning the pump can't pickup enough water.

Thats exactly what my problem was! I tried it again today with the water filled up to the rim of the bucket and she was spitting out a very good steady stream! I had it running for a good half hour and opened the throttle a bit just to work in the new gaskets and let everything circulate for a while to clean any nastiness out of the lines.. And after about half hour the water tub was filled with nasty greenish oil, and it was forming chunks (kinda looked like phlegm) and I don't know if this is normal or not??

I was using gas from november which had sea foam added to it and when I ran the motor the other day for the first time after I put it all back together, the water was almost as clean after as when it went in... But today the water was NASTY! I know sea foam recommends running the motor a few minutes, then shutting it off a few minutes, then running it again at WOT. I revved it up to WOT (in neutral only) for only a few seconds and slowly backed off.. Could this be build up from the engine just getting cleaned out? Or is this a lower unit leak? I believe there was a small leak in the lower unit when I picked up the motor but I changed the drain and fill gaskets and when I checked the oil when storing it, it seemed pretty good to me but I'm no expert...

Any help???

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Shes alive!!!

Thats exactly what my problem was! I tried it again today with the water filled up to the rim of the bucket and she was spitting out a very good steady stream! I had it running for a good half hour and opened the throttle a bit just to work in the new gaskets and let everything circulate for a while to clean any nastiness out of the lines.. And after about half hour the water tub was filled with nasty greenish oil, and it was forming chunks (kinda looked like phlegm) and I don't know if this is normal or not??

I was using gas from november which had sea foam added to it and when I ran the motor the other day for the first time after I put it all back together, the water was almost as clean after as when it went in... But today the water was NASTY! I know sea foam recommends running the motor a few minutes, then shutting it off a few minutes, then running it again at WOT. I revved it up to WOT (in neutral only) for only a few seconds and slowly backed off.. Could this be build up from the engine just getting cleaned out? Or is this a lower unit leak? I believe there was a small leak in the lower unit when I picked up the motor but I changed the drain and fill gaskets and when I checked the oil when storing it, it seemed pretty good to me but I'm no expert...

Any help???


View attachment 189246View attachment 189247View attachment 189248View attachment 189250View attachment 189251

Yes to all. On running the engine for extended periods, usually the engine splashes water out requiring a hose in the tank adding cool water. If not the water will get hot so watch it. Glad you got her fixed.

Mark

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Shes alive!!!

Id check the LU fluid to be sure (seizing the LU is not a one minute fix), if its down a lot theres your answer, the bowny colour looks more like a good affect from seafoam to me. PS clean your sparks too

 

[100333624]

Re: Shes alive!!!

Yes to all. On running the engine for extended periods, usually the engine splashes water out requiring a hose in the tank adding cool water. If not the water will get hot so watch it. Glad you got her fixed.

Mark

Yes I kept adding fresh cold water every few minutes to keep the tank topped up and the water cold!

I also notice now a lot more water coming out of the exhaust end of the exhaust extension plate, like its spraying way more lol, looks and sounds like its flowing very nice through the motor!

 

[100333624]

Re: Shes alive!!!

Id check the LU fluid to be sure (seizing the LU is not a one minute fix), if its down a lot theres your answer, the bowny colour looks more like a good affect from seafoam to me. PS clean your sparks too

I emptied the LU then filled it and ran it, then emptied it again to check for water in it, and refilled and stored it in November. Since then I haven't touched it. Is it recommended to change the oil again for the new season even though I've changed it when I stored the motor for the winter?

And sparks are brand new, with fresh dielectric grease on them.