OMC engine water flow.

[Serf27]

I have a 1984 3.8l v61984 OMC sterndrive-382SPMRCRJS code.

I replaced the impeller last year and didn’t really start it afterwards.

I started it today with the muffs and had no water coming out of any engine hoses with boat off or on and no water from the impeller.
I would briefly start the boat and check for water flow then shut it back off.
I did this a few times.
On the last try, I started it and put it into gear and then water started flowing.

It seems to be flowing normally now and pressure does increase with throttle, telling me the impeller is working properly.

I actually think I never started it after the new impeller until today. Did the impeller have to get into its “groove” or “motion” to start working?

Do you have any idea why it wouldn’t flow at first?

I didn’t think this was an issue before because it’s always had water flow. But I had to manually check for flow by removing cooling hoses today. Now I’m worried that I may start the boat one day and have no water flow.

And should I have water flow with the engine on and propeller not spinning?

Thanks.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the impeller had to fill the motor up before it would exit. that is about 15-20 seconds if the block was empty

 

[southkogs]

^^^ was just typing something similar. Sounds like it needed to "load up." Impeller probably settles and gets it's vanes in the right place the first time you spin it, but not too much more than that.

If you've got muffs on that drive, you can let it run and start drawing some more water.

 

[Serf27]

Ok great.
Yes the few times I started the engine and shut it off after not seeing water, probably added up to 15 seconds.
I started it again today and water flow was delayed a few seconds but then started flowing normally.
I’m guessing that is normal and everything is working properly.

Thanks.