[rw21r]

I just purchased my first used boat. The outboard runs great, and has warm water coming from the exaust ports and a steady cool stream from the peehole. the shaft seems to get pretty hot though and there is some some steam coming off of it, just a little bit. is this normal? sorry if this is a dumb qeustion but I'm brand spankin new to boating. thanks

[PW2]

What "shaft" are you talking about?

[tashasdaddy]

crank shaft, drive shaft, prop shaft. motor exhaust outer housing (motor leg)??????

[Vic.S]

Maybe the cooling water flow is not as good as you think.
The water from the telltale is practically cold water anyway.

Make sure the cylinder head does not get too hot to touch or so hot that a splash of water sizzles.

If you start to see much steam emerging from the exhaust outlets suspect a lack of cooling.

The outer exhaust housing (I guess thats what you mean!) will be pretty warm but it sounds as though it may be getting a bit hotter than it should.

If you do not know when the waterpump impeller was last changed or has not been done within the last few years consider changing it!

[rw21r]

thanks for the replies and sorry about the confusion. I was talking about the area between the exhaust ports and the top of the lower unit. It doesnt smell like burning paint or anything, just some steam coming off the surface and kinda hot to touch.

[tashasdaddy]

where are you boating, there should not be steam.

[PW2]

Until we get a little more info, everything is a guess at best.

Assuming the power head is properly cooling (You can splash a little water on it when running. If it stays liquid for a reasonable amount of time it's ok. If it sizzles and boils, it is not ok.) My guess is what you are seeing as steam is actually exhaust gasses.

Is it a salt water motor? It is possible to have salt deposits gumming up the works and not fully cooling.

When in doubt on a new to you motor, it's never a bad idea to change impellers and flush out the cooling system.

My guess is you are ok, but emphasis on the guess part. If you're worried, have someone who knows what they are looking at take a look.

[rw21r]

Thanks, I've run the motor for about 20 min. in a 55 gal drum a couple of times with no problems. I'm just not sure if the overheat buzzer works so im trying to play it safe. I did and oil change and will try the water on the head tonight and let you know how that went.

[rw21r]

thanks for all the advice, I dropped some water on the power head and everything is fine. the steam was just water evaporating off the shaft, (dumbass). here's the motor running if anyone cares
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux2iDOth2f0