BF 40 - 2004 model... warming up question...

[AG]

First of all, thank you for any advice that you can provide to a first time boat/engine owner.<br /><br />I duck hunt in the winter here in New England. I love the 40 - but the other morning I started it after I got it off the trailer and there was no water coming out of the pee hole. I kept my eye on the temp gauge for what seemed like an eternity.<br /><br />After about a minute or so the water started coming out. The motor ran rough for about 5 minutes and then everything was normal. <br /><br />After I got back from hunting (in the salt water), I put the muffs on it and flushed it out with fresh water. Again, it took about a minute for water to come out of the pee hole. The temperature in the moring was 32 ish - water was 45 ish.<br /><br />The temp at the flushout in the afternoon was about 45 ish - it wasn't freezing.<br /><br />Do I need to take the motor in for service?<br /><br />Another minor matter, my auto tilt button is broken (the outside one), it nees replacement - anyone else have a bad experience with these?<br /><br />Thank you all.

 

[springhead]

Re: BF 40 - 2004 model... warming up question...

hi ag, another rhode islander, cool, a minute seems too long for water to pee out, do u store your boat in a heated garage after flushing it out, it has been awfully cold out here lately and water will freeze inside the motor and possible cause some damage, also 5 minutes seems ok for the motor to warm up to operating temperture,<br />maybe someone else here will give better advice than me or check with the dealer, good luck duck hunting

 

[AG]

Re: BF 40 - 2004 model... warming up question...

thanks for responding spring. Do you duck hunt in our fair state?

 

[springhead]

Re: BF 40 - 2004 model... warming up question...

NO, FISHING ONLY

 

[AG]

Re: BF 40 - 2004 model... warming up question...

It took about 3-4 minutes before it peed this morning. No red light or alarms.. it was 25 degrees out. Is this normal?<br /><br />Thank you.

 

[hondon]

Re: BF 40 - 2004 model... warming up question...

You are operating in some cold weather and are also in and out of the water but it sounds like you have all that under control.Just make sure that the outboard is tilted down a little while after a run or flush to allow everything to drain to acceptable levels.With that said,you may have a little ice in that powerhead here and there and the area that indicator exits is likley to be one of them .The point is that ice do'es not have the density to do any damage and thaws as the engine warms up.As long as you are able to tilt this unit down to a near vertical position and allow it to drain, you should be good to go.That indicator is only a comfort item and most cooling water exits elsewhere.

 

[AG]

Re: BF 40 - 2004 model... warming up question...

Thank you H. I appreciate your reply. It was warm yesterday (about 40 degs) and I put the muffs on the engine to wash out the salt water from the day before. I started the motor and it peed right away. I suppose I did have ice in it somewhere, but I try to be very conscious of keeping the engine down. I did such a good job of it last thursday duck hunting that the engine was bouncing on some rocks while anchored.<br /><br />Thanks again.