Help! New to boating ..older merc 700 no water from tell tale drain

[lh2284]

New to me older 79 Skeeter Bassboat 70hp merc..ran fine 3 weeks ago, getting ready to put in water and hooked freshwater hose up to make sure it starts, started fine but no stream of water from tell tale drain, water is coming out of exhaust...is this normal or a problem? flushed after last use and water was streaming from tell tale drain...

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Help! New to boating ..older merc 700 no water from tell tale drain

The telltale may just be plugged. Try blowing compressed air up the telltale or pull the hose off and backflush with water.

BTW these motors live on the edge of Thermonuclear Meltdown so if the impeller hasn't been replaced in the past year (or you don't know how old it is), it'd be a good idea to renew it for the next season!

HTH...........ed

 

[lh2284]

Re: Help! New to boating ..older merc 700 no water from tell tale drain

OK, I will try compressed air...thanks

 

[lh2284]

Re: Help! New to boating ..older merc 700 no water from tell tale drain

that fixed it! I feel comfortable again about the motor...I have this fear of being stranded on the lake...BTW how do you take the cover off this motor? its a 78 Merc Blue Band Thunderbolt 700 70HP...

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Help! New to boating ..older merc 700 no water from tell tale drain

The front cover comes off, check at the bottom of the cover there should be some kind of latch assy.

Then, there are latches inside that are undone. Once these latches are free, the covers open up like a clamshell.

Each piece opens so far then lifts straight up and off. Once you take them off you'll see how the covers align themselves at the rear for reassembly.