91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

[RyanInFlorida]

I have a 91' evinrude 88SPL . The last two times I was out on the water I noticed that after running for about 10-15 minutes, anything past 3500 RPM the water stops squirting from the tell tale. If I slow back down to idle it starts squirting water again. I usually let it idle for about 5 minutes and then I will power back up to 3500-4000 RPM and then 10 minutes later it stops squirting again. Is this the impeller that is causing this or poppet valves?

I just had the water pump impeller replaced by a local boat shop so I'm assuming that it should be ok?

I decided to pull off the thermostat cover and I noticed that there are no thermostats, but they are using a washer with a small hole in the middle. I've heard in Florida that you can run without the thermostats and use the washer instead? Is this ok or should I put thermostats back in?

I decided to take a couple pictures to see if any of the items might be bad. They all look good to me except one of the springs was shorter then the other...maybe that was the problem with the water not coming out (It broke when I tried to pull it to the length of the other spring)?

I also started the boat with the thermostat cover off and water was coming out from both sides evenly, doesn't look like a blockage.

Is there anything else I should be looking for?

I'm new to working on outboards so I could use all the help I can get

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

You did not mention a getting a hot horn during the normal operation of your boat. If one spring broke, I'd replace both with new. I'm not a fan of running without stats. Your engine should have a special nozzle (restrictor) in the lower cowling-that's the telltale. I'd check to be sure it is there-some folks remove it an just plumb the telltale hose out of that hole. Best to run with that nozzle, as it restricts water flowing out of the block-forcing the block to fill full with cooling water. Also, make sure the telltale hose runs up to the top of the block, then bends downward to the nozzle. That assures the block will fill to the top before any water comes out of the nozzle. (The factory changed their hose routing and it is found on the later crossflows-like yours.) When your engine idles, the water flows thru the block and out of the washers. When you get on plane, the excessive water pressure forces the nylon pressure relief valves to open, greatly increasing the flow of cooling water thru the powerhead. That's normal. It is not normal for the telltale to quit. It is possible that when the pressure relief valves open, that (in combination with the washers) that too much water is flowing out of the block. (The factory stats also provide some water restriction at idle to keep the block full of water.) You may want to temporarily add a water pressure gauge off the telltale hose barb to see just what is going on with your pressure at various speeds. You are correct to question this, as you don't want to cook the powerhead.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

If enough pressure to open the relief valves, it should be enough pressure for the tell-tale.
What might happen is that when running at the higher rpm's and trimming out, you get the upper water intake above water and the engine is partly pumping air. Check your installation height and the water level on the intakes. Do a test by taping the upper holes of the water intake.

 

[RyanInFlorida]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

Well...the horn is probably going to be a different thread. I think I need to replace the buzzer it starts buzzing when I turn on the boat and doesn't shut off.

I'm about to head out the door and pickup the thermostat kit with gaskets. Yes, it still has the original restrictor nozzle under the cowling.

Do you know where I can get one of the water pressure gauges? I would like to see what kind of pressure I'm getting when it is running.

What might happen is that when running at the higher rpm's and trimming out, you get the upper water intake above water and the engine is partly pumping air. Check your installation height and the water level on the intakes. Do a test by taping the upper holes of the water intake.

Will I still be getting enough water to the engine if I tape off the upper intakes?

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

Most any marine dealerships sell inexpensive water pressure gauges. You will need one which reads 0-30 lbs. You can close off the top two (one on each side) water intake holes. There is sufficient water coming through the bottom 3 to safely run the engine. You can't close off the top 2 on each side, however, unless you modify the intake holes. (See picture.)

 

[RyanInFlorida]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

I decided to order a new water pump kit with housing and I will swap it out this weekend. I will backflush while I have the lower unit off. I will then keep the old one as a spare if it looks ok. I also ordered the thermostat kit and it should also be here by this weekend. Unfortunately, I work long hours during the week and I won't be able to work on the boat until the weekend.

A local boat place has a left over 0-60lbs gauge on the shelf collecting dust that I could pick up for about $20. Do you think this one would work ok? I can route the tubing up to the dash and instal permanetly.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

The gauge will work. Unfortunately, the engine will make 5-8 lbs at idle, maybe 18-19 lbs at top end. Hard to see just what those pressures really are with a 60 lb gauge.

 

[RyanInFlorida]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

All my parts came in today so I will be installing the thermostat and water pump kit tomorrow. I'm seeing mixed results when I'm reading the clymer, seloc and forums regarding installing the water pump and thermostat. Should I use any gasket sealents when installing these? If so, is there any automotive equivelants I could use? Thanks again for all the help.

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

Use Sealing Compound (PRP) or Loc Tite Aviation on all gaskets AND screws!!

 

[RyanInFlorida]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

Alright...I think I really messed up. I put everything back together and now when I try to turn drive shaft it barely turns with the new impeller installed.

I was using my Clymer's manual and I noticed that there are 2 different set of instructions for the same motor...how can this be? I'm attaching some screen shots and hopefully someone can tell me which one is correct.

My main questions are, I'm assuming it shouldn't be really hard to turn the drive shaft with the new impeller installed.

Also, should there be an O-ring above base plate and below the impeller like shown at the bottom of picture 2?

I know there should be an O-ring between the plastic pump housing and the pump housing liner. Should there be an O-ring above the plastic pump housing where I'm pointing at the top of picture 2?

If I was good at assuming I would think that the 1st picture is correct and the 2nd picture is wrong which means I need to pull everything apart and start over again?

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

They may both be correct, it depends on the impeller design. I think to remember that the last OEM kits I used had the O-ring under the impeller.

 

[RyanInFlorida]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

Hmmm...I used a Sierra kit and it didn't come with any instructions. Something tells me it shouldn't be hard to turn the driveshaft with the new impeller installed. Which is making me think that the extra O-ring shouldn't be placed under the impeller?

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

With a new dry impeller in the housing you will have difficulties turning the drive shaft by hand.

 

[RyanInFlorida]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

Thanks again for the suggestions so far.

It looks like after reading the exploded view on evinrude parts website there shouldn't be an O-ring above the base plate. Tomorrow I will pull the water pump and remove the 0-ring under the impeller, at least I'm getting a lot of experience from this. I will let everyone know if this fixes all the problems I was having. I also back flushed and everything seems to be fine there.

 

[RyanInFlorida]

Re: 91' 88 SPL no water from tell tale high rpm

Good news!! I was finally able to test the boat out on the water after replacing the thermostats and the impeller. The boat ran great and the tell tale was shooting out water for my 20 mile trip. I had a great weekend out on the water. Thank you everyone for you help.