Intermittent tell-tale blockage

A

alphatower

Recruit
Joined
Aug 22, 2003
Messages
2
I’ve got an 8 month old Yamaha 2 stroke 8hp (short shaft), 2002/3 model that has an intermittent blockage in water flow out the tell-tale hole. <br /><br />It’s been there from only a month or so after first using it which has been solely in fresh water. It will be running ok and then the water flow will reduce considerably or sometimes it will change from a jet to a spray. Inserting a piece of wire in the hole usually cures it at the time. Being the 8 hp there is no rubber hose to flush it. <br /><br />Any ideas how to solve this without a complete strip down? I presume a bit of debris has got in but shouldn't there be a filter? The dealer doesn't consider it a fault that can be repaired under guarantee so I would be grateful of any suggestions.
 
F

Fouled Plug

Ensign
Joined
Jun 29, 2001
Messages
935
Re: Intermittent tell-tale blockage

Might have to pull the head to get at the passage that has the bit of debris in it. That's how I unclogged an old Johnson 6 that had sucked up a bit of crud. I don't know of an 'easy' way to do it on your engine, I'm afraid. Grab a manual and see what it has to say on the subject.
 
J

jim dozier

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 8, 2003
Messages
1,970
Re: Intermittent tell-tale blockage

Bear in my that the tell tale stream is just that, a visual cue. A 100% blocked tell tale will not affect the cooling of the engine (unless there are other blockages in more important areas) just your ability to monitor the cooling system. Evaluate where you are running the engine. Are you picking up a lot of sand or silt or mud? If you think you have really got into some crud back flush the engine from the thermostat housing with the lower unit off while you replace the water pump. Otherwise if the engine isn't overheating just keep a piece of wire (I find the red tube off of a can of spray WD40 works well) or something to unclog the orifice of the tell tale and go boating.
 
A

alphatower

Recruit
Joined
Aug 22, 2003
Messages
2
Re: Intermittent tell-tale blockage

Thanks for the replies. It's good to have it confirmed that a blocked tell-tale isn't a problem so long as the engine isn't overheating.
 
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