Water Pressure Gage Issue

[KurtEsox]

The water pressure gage on my '93 Evinrude 150 stays pegged out at 30 psi with the engine on OR off.<br /><br />I pulled off the tubing at the gage last night and a viscous, dirty liquid ran out of the tubing.<br /><br />Is this a sign of problems?<br /><br />Any ideas?<br /><br />Thanks for any input.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Water Pressure Gage Issue

Check to see that you have an air tight fitting at the guage nipple. Some of the hose used on pressure guages, or speedometers is not the last word in quality. If the hose has flared out, and hardened causing an air leak. This could be the problem. Hopefully, there is'nt a leak in the guage itself.

 

[gaugeguy]

Re: Water Pressure Gage Issue

Sometimes gunk gets into the back of the pressure tube mechanism, blocking it and causing it to stick at a particular PSI. If you remove the gauge you may be able to pick it out with a needle.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Water Pressure Gage Issue

The tubing is just tubing - nothing special - and can easily be replaced with generic tubing of the proper size. I'd remove the tubing and blow it out if possible, or replace if necessary. I'd also remove the fitting from the motor and blow that out as well. It's a simple pressure system with a fitting on the motor, a hollow tube and a gauge. The gauge reads the pressure transmitted from the tube. If cleaning and/or replacing the fitting or tubing doesn't work, the gauge itself could be bum. Check out teleflex gauge website for generic troubleshooting info for pressure gauges, it might help you. Good luck.

 

[KurtEsox]

Re: Water Pressure Gage Issue

Should the tubing be carrying water or air?<br /><br />Thanks again

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Water Pressure Gage Issue

I've not taken mine apart to see if there's any water in it - but it wouldn't surprise me if there was a little. Mine taps right into the tell tale (with a T fitting), so there might be a little water in that end. But in general, it's air pressure, caused by the water pressure at the motor end of the tube, that the gauge measures.

 

[madbanchee]

Re: Water Pressure Gage Issue

Water in the pressure line doesn't hurt a thing. As was said before, it's the pressure in the line that makes the guage opperate. In fact, if you want to check if the tube is plugged, disconnect it from the guage when the engine is running and you should see water leak from the line at a regular rate. The is no need to blow the line dry since most of the water will drain back anyway after the motor is shut off. All the guage does is measure the pressure no matter if it's water or air.