Outboard ran without water for about five minutes

[sparklingwaterbubbles]

I put my 85 Force outboard in a big bin of water and fired it up, then started some other tasks while it idled. About three minutes later, it died. I thought nothing of it, and started it again. A few seconds later, it died, and I started it again.

Then I climbed out of the boat and realized the hose had slipped out of the bin of water, and the bin had also cracked. It was running dry. I held the crack shut and filled the bin back above the intake level. That took about thirty seconds. It started peeing again and the idle increased. The pee stream was also steamy, but it also was freezing outside.

I got back in the boat and turned it off. Twenty minutes later, it fired back up without hesitation and peed like normal. There was less steam. It idled strong. About five minutes later I shut it off.

From what I described, does it seem like any damage was done?

 

[T-Bill]

I put my 85 Force outboard in a big bin of water and fired it up, then started some other tasks while it idled. About three minutes later, it died. I thought nothing of it, and started it again. A few seconds later, it died, and I started it again.

Then I climbed out of the boat and realized the hose had slipped out of the bin of water, and the bin had also cracked. It was running dry. I held the crack shut and filled the bin back above the intake level. That took about thirty seconds. It started peeing again and the idle increased. The pee stream was also steamy, but it also was freezing outside.

I got back in the boat and turned it off. Twenty minutes later, it fired back up without hesitation and peed like normal. There was less steam. It idled strong. About five minutes later I shut it off.

From what I described, does it seem like any damage was done?

doesn't sound like it but I would replace the impeller anyway.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would check your compression. the idle was dropping because the motor was over heating.

and your impeller is toast.

use muffs next time.

 

[racerone]

Compression test. ----Post your numbers.-----Replace water pump impeller now.

 

[sparklingwaterbubbles]

Compression test. ----Post your numbers.-----Replace water pump impeller now.

100 (maaaaybe 99), 100, 100. Just ordered the impeller.

 

[sparklingwaterbubbles]

I would check your compression. the idle was dropping because the motor was over heating.

and your impeller is toast.

use muffs next time.

Thank you! They were right about 100 psi each.

 

[sparklingwaterbubbles]

doesn't sound like it but I would replace the impeller anyway.

Thank you! I feel sick.

 

[sparklingwaterbubbles]

100 (maaaaybe 99), 100, 100. Just ordered the impeller.

And thank you.

 

[sparklingwaterbubbles]

Okay I switched the attachment on the gauge and they all three read 120. The universe is giving me grace.

 

[T-Bill]

Thank you! I feel sick.

Okay I switched the attachment on the gauge and they all three read 120. The universe is giving me grace.

There are good YouTube videos on impeller changing if you plan to do it yourself.