1999 5hp overheating question

I have a 1999 5hp mercury kicker. Fishing season is here, and I'm jones'in to get out there, but I'm worried about my kicker.

I have it mounted on a sawhorse, and placed it in a garbage can full of water. Started up fine, needed a little choke, a shot of ether, and a new spark plug, but I get it running. There's water coming out of the pee hole, and I have it in neutral, but I notice the shaft is getting very hot. I have the lower unit submerged in the water, but not the entire shaft.

Can anybody tell me if this is normal? I mean there was water running through it, but after about 2 minutes the shaft was really hot.

One other issue that I've always had with this kicker. It idles really fast and I can't run it without the choke on. Do I need to have the carburetor rebuilt/cleaned? Or maybe just some seafoam? If I need to pull the carburetor, could anyone post a good link explaining how to do that? I pulled off the top of the bowl, but couldn't get very far. Do I need any special tools?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! And if you're ever in Juneau, maybe we can do some fishing.

Re: 1999 5hp overheating question

you need a service manual if you are doing your own maintenance. yes, your carbs need to be cleaned and rebuild. motors run hotter in a barrel than in the water, as the exhaust heats the water, but that may not be the problem. could be thermostat, or impeller. when was the last time the impeller and tstat were serviced.