Should you see exhaust from the tell tale?

[Dale in MD]

I have a 1986 15 HP Yamaha. I have water flow from my tell-tale, even at idle, but it is mixed with engine exhaust. Should the engine exhaust and the cooling water be communicating like that or do i have a bad gasket in my exhaust cover / plate area?

 

[waffles1]

Re: Should you see exhaust from the tell tale?

It sounds like you have a bad exhaust gasket and carbon is blowing into the pump. I am not sure on that motor but I don't think it's a hard fix.