1999 Johnson 150 Flushing

[makaboy]

I'm new to boating and especially OB's, but I've worked for a while as a auto mechanic (so I know which end of a screwdriver to use). I got a used 1999 21' Striper with a Johnson 150 HP (#J150P) OB. When I tried to flush it with the rabbit ears at full hose pressure I didn't get water out the indicator port (piss hole) and then I got an overheat light (shutdown motor after that). However, if I follow the owners manuals and hook up to the indicator/flush port with a hose then I don't get the overheat indicator. I thought using the rabbit ears was suppose to simulate the OB in water, so why doesn't the manufacture specify that instead? The inlet screens look clear and there seems to be plenty of water and pressure from the hose. If I use the flush port then does water get to the water pump? Does the drive have to be engaged for the water pump to work? What are the recomended service manuals for these, becuase the owners manual is pretty lite weight? And working in automotive, I'm not real fond of the Clymer type manuls.Sorry for all the questions, but these are only a few of many more I have.Thanks for the help.

[jim dozier]

Some rabbit ears fit better than others and each engine is different. On my DT85 Suzuki if I don't hold them on tight with my hands to reduce the spray and to get the pump primed it takes forever to get a pee stream. Once it starts I don't have to worry about it.

[Walker]

Sounds like your impellor may be bad. On the ears, the water goes thru the impellor. On the flusher I think the impellor is bypassed. If you ran the motor while on the flusher you probably burned up the impellor.

[FUERADEBORDA]

YOUR PROBLEM IF YOU ARE USING THE EARS COULD BE EITHER THE EARS, WATER PRESSURE (30 - 40 PSI)OR THE IMPELLER , REGARDING THE USE OF THE FLUSHER (YOU CAN START THE ENGINE IT WONT BURN THE IMPELLER)ALWAYS IN VERTICAL POSITION WICH IS THE WE i DO IT, OR TILTING THE ENGINE IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO START IT, IN ANY CASE YOU WANT TO BE SURE THAT AFTER YOU ARE DONE (AT LEAST 5 MINUTES FLUSHING)THE ENGINE MUST BE KEPT VERTICAL ENOUGH TIME TO DRAIN THE POWER HEAD

[makaboy]

^