Running my outboard out of the water...

[HaywardBound]

How long can I run my outboard with the hose connected? I have those 'ear muff' things to run water through the motor. (I forgot what they are they called)?

Also, I want to make sure my motor is 'peeing' when I run it out of the water...you know, I want to see the water flowing out so I know it is cooling. Will I see that when it is hooked up to the hose?

Thanks.

[john.wells]

So long as you have a continual flow of water coursing through and "peeing" out of the indicator, you can run it as long as you like. ****HOWEVER**** a word of caution!!! DO NOT over-rev your engine! Period. Your engine is designed to run "under load", as in with pressure of water force and resistance against the prop, which properly loads against the forces of combustion. Running in unrestricted open air at 5000 rpm's is physically much different than when under way on the water at 5000 rpm's. Evil things can happen; like throwing rods, spinning bearings, and other ilk. You also don't have the necessary back pressure on the exhaust as well. My suggestion would be to only idle or slightly more to be safe. Better yet, call your marina and ask what the safe no-load rpm limit is. Also, you will see the water coming out the "pee" hole if your muffs are installed correctly. Make sure to be in full attention and control of the kill switch if the muffs fall off- your water pump can burn up pretty quick without constant water flow.

[kjgmh]

Be sure to remove your prop. Do not run over 2000rpm. Just because it is cooling on the hose does not mean that the motor will be cooling properly under load on the lake. Most of the time it is a good indicator, but be sure to take it to the lake and double check before you "need" your boat.

[marine_man]

One other thing.... on some of the older, smaller motors that weren't thermostatically controlled just hooking up the muffs to the motor and turning the water on (without running the motor) would be enough to send water through the telltale stream (pee hole)... as kjgmh said, just because you're getting water coming out doesn't mean your cooling system is 100% good... you're providing water pressure to force the water up to the water pump, where when the motor is in the water it has to draw the water into the water pump...

marine_man

[PierBridge]

Save yourself a melted impellar along with other possible problems and put it in a garbage can when running it.

[bkft]

I do what PierBridge suggested, and run the motor in a garbage can full of water. Works like a trooper. Good luck.

[HaywardBound]

Thanks for all the info.

With this warm weather, I just want to get it running and make sure everything is good before I take it to the river.

[Valv]

I would follow first 3 suggestions, a garbage barrel full of water is not very comfortable and safe if you have anything above 15hp, your boat will move forward, beware.

Just ose the muffs and be sure they are connected properly, that's it.

[Havin' Fun]

the newer motors have the hose hook up already installed.

[marine_man]

I think that is to flush the motor after running in salt water... not to run the motor...

Can someone confirm this?

marine_man

[AQUAJOE]

Quote:

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How long can I run my outboard with the hose connected? I have those 'ear muff' things to run water through the motor. (I forgot what they are they called)?

Also, I want to make sure my motor is 'peeing' when I run it out of the water...you know, I want to see the water flowing out so I know it is cooling. Will I see that when it is hooked up to the hose?

Thanks.

---

I call them salad tongs. As long as you have good water flow you can run as long as you need to. On new motors alot of them have sensors that will sound if the engine gets to hot.

As for the "Peeing" not all motors do this. I have a 99 Evinrude FICHT motor and the water does not pee out when on the tongs. I asked Crystal Pierz about this.They said that was normal for my motor.

As for over-reving your motor or taking your prop off. Just use the netral warm-up so the prop doesn't spin and just don't rev high for a long period of time. Depending on the motor size your water coming from your tongs may not be enough volume while reving and you have to watch for overheating.

Just my .02 cents

[Havin' Fun]

Marineman,

Here's what my Mercury owners manual states:

To flush the cooling system of salt, mud or polluted water:

1. Tilt in the operating position

2. Remove propeller

3. Thread a water hose into the rear fitting. Partially open the water tap(1/2) max.

4. DO NOT RUN ENGINE OVER IDLE SPEED.

5. Shift outboard into neutral and run for 5 minutes.

6. Stop engine, turn off water.

It mentions that in order to flush the system, the engine MUST be ran to open the thermostat and circulate water through the water passages.

Hope this helps.

[marine_man]

Sounds like that will work after all...

Thanks Hammer'em...

marine_man