[arnieb]

Hello group,

I bought a 1988 135hp Mariner last year. I have not had it in the water yet. I changed the water pump with a complete kit including the housings. I just started the motor. Again very little water from the pee hole. I ran it for about 5 min on the muffs at idle. I felt the temp of both sides of the motor and the right hand side is hotter then the left. Is this normal? I wanted to take it out on the water for the first time but really don't want to destroy the motor. Please any help would be great. I may just be over thinking this but its been along time for me to afford this boat and I want to get it on the water but not break it!

Thanks
Arnie

[Chris1956]

Arnie, Is that motor a v6? If so, the telltales do not put out any water until the thermostat opens. There should be a hose connected to the center of the cylinder heads, behind the flywheel. This is the recirculation hose. This one will have good pressure and volume if the pump is good.

Also, when I start up my '93 135V6, it sucks all of the water out of the muffs, eventhough I have the water turned full on.

[arnieb]

Yes its the v6. My real concern was the difference in temp from the right to the left of the motor. I guess I'll take it out and keep an eye on it. I do have a presure gauge on the dash. It sits a about 7 at idle and goes up to about 14 when I give alittle more rpm's.

[Chris1956]

Most Merc V engines have two thermostats, one in each head. Perhaps one of yours is defective. The motor should run hot to the touch(about 140 degrees F), but not scalding.