thermostat/tell tale question

[jwilkey84]

I am new to this thermostat thing, so I have a few questions. I just got a motor going and the impeller is good and there is water coming out with the exhaust, but no water coming out of the tell tale hole. I let it idle in a barrel for about three minutes, the head doesnt get real hot, but no water comes out of the tell tale either. Does it take a while to build up temp. to make water come out of that hole? This is on a 1983 johnson 50 hp. 2 cyl

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

The telltale hose could be plugged. Remove it from the block and check to see if water is coming out of the block. Blow compressed air thru the hose and cowl nipple to clear it out. The telltale should work almost immediately.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

It might just be clogged up. Stick a stiff wire or some other object up the tell tale hole to see if that clears it out. If not, have you taken off the cowl to make sure there is a hose attatched to the fitting?
How do you know the impeller is good? Did you put a new one in? All it takes is a tiny chunk of impeller to clog things up.
Good Luck!

Dave

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

I know the impellor is good because I inspected it before I put the new lower unit on .

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

ok i took off the water hose and water came out of the motor, so I blew some air through the line and it is workig now. But how much water and with how much force should come out of the tell tale? It is coming out but not with much force. Also, the motor is getting warmer, but I can still hold my hand on it for 3 seconds before it is too hot to hold on to. Does everything sound ok? If there is water coming out of the telltale, is it still possible for the motor to overheat?

 

[HighTrim]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

It should "****" a steady strong stream. Spiders like to build nests in the nipples for the tell tale, so they need to be kept clean. Did you run compressed air up the water line from the impeller housing or down from the t stats? Was the lower unit off as well as the t stats while doing this? If not, you may have created a passage for the water, but it is still restricted. Drop the lower unit, and inspect the water pump for scores in the wall, this can decrease the effectiveness of the impeller. Remove 1 t stat at a time, and blow compressed air up the water line, this will ensure that both passages are clear. Make sure the water intake area is free of debris. Also make sure that the grommet on top of the impeller housing is sitting nicely around the water line when you slide the lu back up, they seem to shift , restricting water flow. Good luck.

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

what I did was I took off the tell tale hose completely and blew air throught the rubber hose and out the tell tale hole (the plastic end), and then I put it back on. It worked but not as strong as I would like. Then I shut the motor off and started it back up about 10 minutes later. This time it wasnt working again, so I pulled the rubbber hose off again. when I pull the rubber hose off of the motor, some water comes out. So I blew throught the hose again, this time with my mouth, and air comes through. Maybe it just needs a new tell tale hose? So my main concern is, can the motor overheat if there is water coming out of the tell tale? If there is water coming out of the tell tale, that means water is getting into the motor right?

 

[Solittle]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

A visual inspection of an impeller will give you a false sense of security. You best repace it unless you know for sure that it was replaced in the past couple of years. If the engine is new to you it would be a good idea to replace the thermostat as well.

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

the new thermostat is no it's way from iboats.com. Any more advice while I wait? I did a compression check as well and got about 115 on both cylinders, is that good?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

an 83 59 hp should produce a strong stream within 3 -5 seconds after starting, mine starts the stream, while the engine is first turning over. the thermostat has nothing to do with the tale tell stream. the tt routes around the tstat, and is a indicator, that the water pump is pumping, not that the tstat is opening and cooling the motor. without the tt, there is no cooling. make sure the hose is clear, remove from block, and start motor for a few seconds, and let the water come out the connection, then replace the hose, weedeater line works very well for clearing the tt hose. my 50 has a broken clip on the end fitting, so it shoots to the side, at idle it shoot out about 4 feet, reved up about 6-8 ft.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

Yes a motor can overheat even if the telltale is working. The telltale has nothing to do with indicating overheating. It tells you the water pump is pumping water and that's all. Just because its pumping water does not mean there is not an overheat condition. A stuck thermostat, blown head gasket, clogged water passages in the block and head, too much timing can all cause overheating. You said you "inspected" the water pump. If you installed a used lower unit you have no idea how good that impeller is. You should always replace an impeller as long as you have the lower unit removed. It's just too easy to do at that time and eliminates one possible cooling system problem.

 

[jwilkey84]

Re: thermostat/tell tale question

I am pretty sure the impellor was good. I took it all apart and visually looked at it. I also pushed on the flaps and they sprung back pretty good, which is an indicating method that I have read on here. I really don't think it is the impellor. Before I put a new impellor on, I will just get a new tstat and replace the tt hose with new.