I have a "new to me" 2002 Mercury 150 2 Stroke. The motor visually looks almost brand new. It hasn't been run in about 10-12 months. When I got the motor, I changed the water separator and fuel filter. I replaced the entire water pump and impeller. When I start the motor, I get no water from the tell tale, but do get water out of the prop and upper exhaust port. When the motor RPMs are raised slightly, water starts to flow from the tell tale. It will run fine and water is flowing for as long as I want it to. But as soon as it returns to idle, the water stops flowing from the tell tale. I have read several theories on the internet that say either, water not flowing right away is normal, some say it should flow a second or two after starting. Then there is the tell tale is down stream from the thermostats theory, which makes sense to me, kinda. If the water doesn't flow until the tstats open, then why when it returns to idle, does the flow stop? The tstats should remain open if the motor has been running above idle for 20 minutes, right? I dont have a water pressure gauge, but the thermostat never goes over 140. However, I have not verified if the thermostat is giving accurate readings.
Does anyone have any tips or advice weather this is normal, or what I should or could check to make sure everything is working?
Does anyone have any tips or advice weather this is normal, or what I should or could check to make sure everything is working?