Where to install water pressure gauge

[Basstactics]

I have a 1999 Johnson 65hp Commercial engine Model #J65WELSSC. I installed a Teleflex water pressure gauge by putting a T in the overboard indicator hose as per the instructions. Well tested it today and no reading. If I plug the outlet hole with my finger I get a reading. Now when looking at the set up I don't see how it could work when the tee has a smaller line going from the tee to the gauge. Looked the motor over and can't find any other hoses to hook into. I did see a small set screw in a plate on the left side of the motor that I think leads to the water jacket.<br /> Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. <br /><br />Thanks Gary

 

[muskrat]

Re: Where to install water pressure gauge

LOOK ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE WATER JACKET COVER SHOULD BE A PLUG.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Where to install water pressure gauge

I had a similar issue with my much older Johnson. I ended up modifying it so that the tell tale tube diameter was the same as the diameter of the gauge tube. Since then it's worked perfectly - wait, I should say, after I found the kink in the gauge tube (after "thoroughly" checking it at least twice and being SURE there was no kink. Sure enough, there was, and once I eliminated, it the teleflex gauge has worked perfectly and I've been happy to have it).<br /><br />The other suggestions might be better though. I didn't have any other options since my motor had only one easy and obvious access point to the cooling system - the tell tale fitting.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Where to install water pressure gauge

PS: as another quick and dirty suggestion - just permanently plug the tell tale tube if that indeed makes the gauge work. This is an opinion I have after using my pressure gauge for part of last season and for a few trips this season. Once you get used to the pressure gauge, you simply quit looking at the tell tale. If it's T-d into the tell tale outlet, it gives you exactly the same information and you'd do exactly the same troubleshooting if there was an unusual indication (e.g. low or no water stream out the tell tale = low or 0 reading on gauge). There isn't really any meaningful or useful redundancy having both, if they use the same source for the water pressure. imho.

 

[Basstactics]

Re: Where to install water pressure gauge

Thanks for the quick responses. I found a plug about 3/4 of the way down the water jacket so I'll try that first. Really didn't want to block of the tell tale tube as I thought this might spike the gauge and not give an actual proper reading. I'll see how it goes with the water jacket first. Thanks guys.