Water Pump Problem? 1987 Mariner 60HP outboard

ppeter4685

Cadet
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Messages
10
I finally got my 60HP Mariner back together with a new water pump impeller installed. The impeller is the only new part. When checking out how it runs with a water muff on, I notice that when I start the engine and run it at a fast idle speed a nice water stream comes out of the small tube at the back of the motor. After the motor warms up for a few minutes, when I back the idle off to the slowest speed (throttle handle all the way back), the water flow stops. I have left it running at this slow idle for about a minute and a half and the water never starts flowing again. When I increase the rpm's to a fast idle, the flow does resume. During the slow idle for 90 seconds no alarm sounds to indicate the motor is over heating. Is the water not flowing from the tube at idle the sign of a problem? If so, what? When water does spurt out of the tube at fast idle, the temp varies from cool to warm. Is this normal? Thanks for your help.
 
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