Spent ~$100 on a 1989 2hp mariner a few years ago snapped up as a bargain. Just got around to fix it up.
Before I changed the impeller I threw caution to the wind and started her up. Started on first pull! Quite stupid of me I got carried away and I ran the engine at a low idle for a maybe 5 minutes minutes before I realized the impeller was ruined and I was over heating it.
Okay, pulled lower unit off and changed the impeller after scraping out a melted mess. Running it again with a new impeller it was impossible to start and keep running. I had to pull very hard to get the engine started to the point that I risked damaging the motor. I realized soon that water is getting in cylinder and drowning the engine after it runs just a minute or two. Either I or previous owner cooked the engine seals I assume. Realized too that the impeller was fitting too tightly in the pump chamber. Okay, not wise I know but I sanded down the impeller a bit to fit better and used gasked sealer to add maybe .5 mm gap so the impeller has more space to turn. Got some ethanol free gas for good measure and mixed in 1 oz seafoam. Now it starts and stays running!
When I run the engine there is a lot less water through the pee hole than the last test but then again the motor doesn't flood with water (as quickly). I can keep in running from 1/3 throttle to full throttle for at least 15 minutes. Starts up fine again once hot too. Doesn't seem to overheat at least at middle throttle. With rich oil mixture and the seafoam plenty of smoke.
So here is the whole point of this post.... I need a motor to give me more range on a 11' pram than what just my trolling motor along or rowing will provide. I don't mind running at half throttle and letting the engine rest at 15 minutes or so. I could live with drying out / fogging the cylinder after each use. I am running the oil mixture a bit rich, i.e. 1 to 25. You think maybe I could get a few dozen hours out of this motor before it is toast? Not sure if water in the cylinder is a sign of impending death or something I could live with for some time.
Before I changed the impeller I threw caution to the wind and started her up. Started on first pull! Quite stupid of me I got carried away and I ran the engine at a low idle for a maybe 5 minutes minutes before I realized the impeller was ruined and I was over heating it.
Okay, pulled lower unit off and changed the impeller after scraping out a melted mess. Running it again with a new impeller it was impossible to start and keep running. I had to pull very hard to get the engine started to the point that I risked damaging the motor. I realized soon that water is getting in cylinder and drowning the engine after it runs just a minute or two. Either I or previous owner cooked the engine seals I assume. Realized too that the impeller was fitting too tightly in the pump chamber. Okay, not wise I know but I sanded down the impeller a bit to fit better and used gasked sealer to add maybe .5 mm gap so the impeller has more space to turn. Got some ethanol free gas for good measure and mixed in 1 oz seafoam. Now it starts and stays running!
When I run the engine there is a lot less water through the pee hole than the last test but then again the motor doesn't flood with water (as quickly). I can keep in running from 1/3 throttle to full throttle for at least 15 minutes. Starts up fine again once hot too. Doesn't seem to overheat at least at middle throttle. With rich oil mixture and the seafoam plenty of smoke.
So here is the whole point of this post.... I need a motor to give me more range on a 11' pram than what just my trolling motor along or rowing will provide. I don't mind running at half throttle and letting the engine rest at 15 minutes or so. I could live with drying out / fogging the cylinder after each use. I am running the oil mixture a bit rich, i.e. 1 to 25. You think maybe I could get a few dozen hours out of this motor before it is toast? Not sure if water in the cylinder is a sign of impending death or something I could live with for some time.