The cooling system on my 2000, 8 hp Honda 4 stroke outboard has a nasty habit of clogging up with salt. I check the outflow every time before leaving the dock and several times, water was just dripping out. I use the boat in salt water, but the engine is raised when sailing or at the dock. I usually sail every week year-round, but there are times that I have to keep it at the dock for a few weeks at a time. If it is clogged, I have to clean it out by back washing with a fresh water hose through the outlet port. One time, I had to take it to a dealer to get it flushed out. The owners' manual says something nonsensical like removing the prop, starting the engine, and using a special fitting to fresh water wash the cooling system after every use in salt water. Has anyone else had a similar problem? How did you handle it? David King "Molly"
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Could be impeller
Just because the piss tube doesn't give you a full stream at idle RMPs doesn't indicate a blockage. Do you get a full stream when running a higher RPMs? On the other hand you could need the impeller replaced, you haven't started the motor with out a water supply have you? If you get a reasonable stream at higher RPMs I don't know that I would be overly concerned, but keep and eye on it. Without a doubt if you try to follow the instructions in the owners manual to a tee you will find things tend to get a little silly.
Just because the piss tube doesn't give you a full stream at idle RMPs doesn't indicate a blockage. Do you get a full stream when running a higher RPMs? On the other hand you could need the impeller replaced, you haven't started the motor with out a water supply have you? If you get a reasonable stream at higher RPMs I don't know that I would be overly concerned, but keep and eye on it. Without a doubt if you try to follow the instructions in the owners manual to a tee you will find things tend to get a little silly.
Salt blocked
Although the impeller sounds logical, try this first. I once had an Evinrude that occasionally blocked up. Use a small piece of wire to ream out the piss tube of any salt crystals after it has set for a while. Then start it up. See if that helps at all.
Although the impeller sounds logical, try this first. I once had an Evinrude that occasionally blocked up. Use a small piece of wire to ream out the piss tube of any salt crystals after it has set for a while. Then start it up. See if that helps at all.
The first rule
Never buy Honda! Anything... Everyone thing Honda make great stuff... IT STINK! Buy from an American company even if it's make overseas.
Never buy Honda! Anything... Everyone thing Honda make great stuff... IT STINK! Buy from an American company even if it's make overseas.
salty
David; Get a five gallon bucket, pour in a half-gallon of vinegar, fill with water and set the outboards lower unit in. Start it up and make sure the stream returns to the bucket. Run for ten minutes or so, stop the engine and let it sit overnight. Run it again the next day. It should be pretty clear of salt. Worked for me on an older Honda 7.5
David; Get a five gallon bucket, pour in a half-gallon of vinegar, fill with water and set the outboards lower unit in. Start it up and make sure the stream returns to the bucket. Run for ten minutes or so, stop the engine and let it sit overnight. Run it again the next day. It should be pretty clear of salt. Worked for me on an older Honda 7.5
Same problem w/ Yamaha 8.0
I have the same problem with a Yamaha (1987) 8.0 hp. It is a chronic situation; comes and goes. Overall, the motor has been very good, so I deal with the clogging. I agree with most of what the other posts have said, but here are some more ideas. I always keep a piece of stainless steel wire handy and give the outlet tube a quick ream job on the fly as needed. I think that salt restricts the opening, but sea life actually does the clogging. I noticed that there is no screen on the water intake, and perhaps a screen of some sort would reduce the intake of clogging material. One day, I got really bored and decided to remove the water jacket plate on the cylinder head of the engine. I was expecting to find a salt shaker full of crystals on the inside of the water chamber. To my surprise, it was remarkably clear for being run in salt water its entire life (15 years old). I run the motor in a barrel with a dish washing liquid to 'soften' the minerals at each winterizing. This (hopefully) will reduce internal build up of minerals, but I think the key thing is to have a screen on the water intake. I may figure something out in this regard over the next few months. I the meantime, I keep an eye on the outlet tube and have the stainless steel wire handy. Regards, Ted
I have the same problem with a Yamaha (1987) 8.0 hp. It is a chronic situation; comes and goes. Overall, the motor has been very good, so I deal with the clogging. I agree with most of what the other posts have said, but here are some more ideas. I always keep a piece of stainless steel wire handy and give the outlet tube a quick ream job on the fly as needed. I think that salt restricts the opening, but sea life actually does the clogging. I noticed that there is no screen on the water intake, and perhaps a screen of some sort would reduce the intake of clogging material. One day, I got really bored and decided to remove the water jacket plate on the cylinder head of the engine. I was expecting to find a salt shaker full of crystals on the inside of the water chamber. To my surprise, it was remarkably clear for being run in salt water its entire life (15 years old). I run the motor in a barrel with a dish washing liquid to 'soften' the minerals at each winterizing. This (hopefully) will reduce internal build up of minerals, but I think the key thing is to have a screen on the water intake. I may figure something out in this regard over the next few months. I the meantime, I keep an eye on the outlet tube and have the stainless steel wire handy. Regards, Ted
Idle tube output can be misleading
When I started my 1992 Honda 8 4stroke, I looked at the pee tube and saw short puffs of vapors, coming out. Not seeing any kind of stream worried me. I left it run for a while like this and every few minutes I would put my hands around the lower unit and above, to see if it was getting hot. It never showed any signs of heat. When I took the boat out to the fuel dock, I revved it up a bit and noticed that there was indeed, some water flowing out of the tube, but not a lot. Later I backflushed... long and hard. I found some gook (marine "growth"?) had gotten in there, but it STILL doesn't come out strong. I think if you see anything come out of the pee tube at idle, the engine will be ok, but I would use the hands-on check to be sure. Steve
When I started my 1992 Honda 8 4stroke, I looked at the pee tube and saw short puffs of vapors, coming out. Not seeing any kind of stream worried me. I left it run for a while like this and every few minutes I would put my hands around the lower unit and above, to see if it was getting hot. It never showed any signs of heat. When I took the boat out to the fuel dock, I revved it up a bit and noticed that there was indeed, some water flowing out of the tube, but not a lot. Later I backflushed... long and hard. I found some gook (marine "growth"?) had gotten in there, but it STILL doesn't come out strong. I think if you see anything come out of the pee tube at idle, the engine will be ok, but I would use the hands-on check to be sure. Steve
Honda 8
I had a 2001 Honda 8 and it did the same thing. It seemed to put out water when it needed to be cooled. I never had a problem overheating. Only problem was a little hard to start sometime but always ran great.
I had a 2001 Honda 8 and it did the same thing. It seemed to put out water when it needed to be cooled. I never had a problem overheating. Only problem was a little hard to start sometime but always ran great.
My engine suffered a heat stroke
when I ran it without water coming from the outlet tube. I did not notice it for a while and then the engine crapped out. I think other brands may be different, but with my engine, it seems like all the cooling is going through the visible outlet. Regards, Ted
when I ran it without water coming from the outlet tube. I did not notice it for a while and then the engine crapped out. I think other brands may be different, but with my engine, it seems like all the cooling is going through the visible outlet. Regards, Ted
Don’t forget the thermostat
On outboards larger than two or three horsepower, there usually is a thermostat. Salt water does wonderful things to these thermostats, such as freezing it up in a partially open position. Hence restricted water flow, not necessarily due to a tired impeller, but rather to a partially opened frozen thermostat. My personal experience with my six horsepower 1996 Evinrude is that after six years of sailboat use, the water flow was strong and not hot to the touch. However, I was certain that the thermostat was not functioning as the water flow started immediately with the engine and there seemed to be a period of several minutes for the engine to warm up. Nevertheless, knowing that impellers do not last forever, I had my dealer replace the impeller and thermostat at the end of the season when I remove the engine. The outside flaps of the impeller were fine; however, the center was on its last legs and surely would fail during the following season. The thermostat was frozen open, as I suspected. By attacking these problems now at the end of the season, I have absorbed the expense and done the work at a time when it need not be finished for many months to come, although it was completed in about six weeks. A convenience for both my dealer and myself. So if you do not know when, if at all, you replaced the impeller and thermostat on a years old outboard, do it now when the matter can be achieved under your own terms instead of when the impeller and thermostat make the decision for you. An ounce of prevention here is worth pounds of cure.
On outboards larger than two or three horsepower, there usually is a thermostat. Salt water does wonderful things to these thermostats, such as freezing it up in a partially open position. Hence restricted water flow, not necessarily due to a tired impeller, but rather to a partially opened frozen thermostat. My personal experience with my six horsepower 1996 Evinrude is that after six years of sailboat use, the water flow was strong and not hot to the touch. However, I was certain that the thermostat was not functioning as the water flow started immediately with the engine and there seemed to be a period of several minutes for the engine to warm up. Nevertheless, knowing that impellers do not last forever, I had my dealer replace the impeller and thermostat at the end of the season when I remove the engine. The outside flaps of the impeller were fine; however, the center was on its last legs and surely would fail during the following season. The thermostat was frozen open, as I suspected. By attacking these problems now at the end of the season, I have absorbed the expense and done the work at a time when it need not be finished for many months to come, although it was completed in about six weeks. A convenience for both my dealer and myself. So if you do not know when, if at all, you replaced the impeller and thermostat on a years old outboard, do it now when the matter can be achieved under your own terms instead of when the impeller and thermostat make the decision for you. An ounce of prevention here is worth pounds of cure.
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