evinrude 15 help overheat damage?

[jnail]

I recently realized after trolling at low speed for about half an hour that my '86 evinrude 15 hp wasn't pumping water out the little jet on top, so I stopped and cleaned the screens at the bottom, and the jet on top, and it pumps fine now. It starts up with one or 2 pulls, and idles perfectly, and runs fine, except it seems as though the boat has lost a little bit of top end speed. What could I have damaged, and how do I check. The motor seems just like it was before, but a bit slower.<br />thanks

 

[OBJ]

Re: evinrude 15 help overheat damage?

Hi jnail and welcome to iboats!<br /><br />You may have no damage at all jnail. The tell tale is just a leaker to tell you if the pump is working or not. When it doesn't pee, doesn't mean your engine is overheating. <br /><br />Did you feel the block and did it seem really hot?<br /><br />From your description, the easy start and all, I would think there is not damage. But.....if you want to check, take a compression reading on each cylinder. They should be with in 10 > 15% of each other. If it feels a bit slower, might just need a new set of plugs and a decarb. But get the compression readings and go from there. <br /><br />Can you tell us the maint history of the engine? Last carb overhaul, impeller change out, does the engine have a good heat range...meaning....does it run cold or warm.<br /><br />EDIT: PS....these engines can take a real beating and come back smelling like a rose. So, don't fret yet.....