How long to get water thru system?

[Rick K]

Happy 4th everyone! Well, as usual, my motor runs perfectly until I REALLY want to get out on the water...

Anyhow, I blew a coil - '59 Johnson Seahorse, 18hp, and I have every spare part but the one I need... Oh well..

Put the motor in the watercan, and as I was checking her out, I saw that it took about 6-8 seconds for the impeller to move water up thru the system and out the telltale.

Is this normal? I never really noticed it before. Seems like an awful long time for water to get thru the system. Shoots out like a firehose once it's going.

New impeller last season, waterpump looked good, etc. Nothing seems plugged.

This is the first season ever, that the motor's been in the water constantly. Could gunk/algae, etc., have made it's way to the inside?

Thanks, and enjoy the fireworks!!!
Rick K

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: How long to get water thru system?

Sounds about right. Try to tilt the motor out any time you can. Algae can form over the water intake screen and starve your motor of cooling water. I wouldn't worry about it affecting your powerhead otherwise. I will mention that your motor has no sacrificial anodes and a battery switch would be a very good idea if it's connected to the motor. There are anodes made for those to mount to the top of the antiventilation plate. If you're in the water all the time, get one. Also make sure the paint is in good shape, even on the prop.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: How long to get water thru system?

Sounds right to me. It takes a bit to get it up to the telltale.....As long as she starts pumping, you're good to go....

 

[hunt-fish.com]

Re: How long to get water thru system?

My father-in-law's motor had a visit from some dirt-dauber wasps. They packed mud in the telltale. Hence, no water stream. It was packed so tightly that I had to replace the plastic part to allow the flow. You may have had a bug put something in it.

John

 

[Rick K]

Re: How long to get water thru system?

Thanks for the replies... This eases my mind. I pull the harness from the motor when docked, so that "cuts the battery" so to speak. Paint's ok, for a 46 year old motor. I bring the boat home about every 2 weeks or so to clean/wax her up. Keepin' this thing at the dock is sure taking its toll on the hull. Anti fouling paint (Petit's Vivid) works great, but anywhere else on the hull, forget it!!!

Rick