Tell-Tale question

[ehenry]

Can running an outboard engine while the Tell-Tale is stopped up cause damage? Noticed mine was stopped up with a Dirt Dobbers nest. I cleaned it out and water started running again.

 

[WOOLY BUGGER]

Re: Tell-Tale question

DEPENDS HOW LONG YOU RAN IT, IVE SEEN AN ENGINE SEIZE UP AND STOP RUNNING, THEY GET VERY HOT WHEN NOT COOLED WITH WATER.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Tell-Tale question

I've read in other posts here that the tell-tale isn't the only place water comes out. It also comes out the exhaust relief.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Tell-Tale question

The telltail is just that, a telltail. It is there to let you know the coolant has stopped circulating. When it quits, assume this is the case,and shut down ASAP.<br />Feel (carefully) the side of the block by the head.If it is too hot to touch for longer than 2 seconds, you overheated.<br />Good job so far. Keep an eye on her like you have been, and you can probably save a great deal of money down the road.<br />BTW, you are correct, the water doesn't just come out of the telltail. It is just an indicator.

 

[ajp]

Re: Tell-Tale question

True story.<br /><br />Son ran aground on a sand/mud bar in a small boat with a 35HP Johnson. Clogged up the water intake. 10 minutes later a locked up engine. Took a powerhead overhaul. $500.00 in parts alone plus alot of dad's time.<br /><br />Don't run them without water very long.<br /><br />Arlan

 

[12Footer]

Re: Tell-Tale question

That's right,Arlan. It takes only 2 or 3 minutes to overheat. When it does, the cylinders can be scored badly,Among other things, like a cracked block,warped head,cracked head.

 

[steve 2]

Re: Tell-Tale question

If the pipe or the nozzle does become blocked,stopping the tell-tale from working will on its own make no differents to the cooling,if the tell-tale stops due to the water in-take been blocked the engine will overheat.Water does escape,cooling the exhaust all the way down the leg and then exits through the exhaust.this is why your feet get wet when using muffs,(Flushing device)

 

[ehenry]

Re: Tell-Tale question

The water intakes were not plugged....I pulled the hose loose where it is connected to the top block and water immediately came out...it was just the Tell-Tale that was stopped up.

 

[ODDD1]

Re: Tell-Tale question

No..It wont hurt anything...