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Cooling Concerns

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/04/2009 : 15:00:53

Has anyone dealt with the cooling system on an older 8 h.p. 4 cycle?
I launched Brandy today and while taking her to the dock I seen no water coming out of the verification drain tube on the bottom of the motor. I was not running with much power. Also is there an overtemp shutdown if it is overheating. This is a 1995 Honda outboard. THANX in advance once again.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 16:02:07

That could be an impeller pump failure or a clogged up line. You should not run an engine that is not "peeing" properly. If it is the impeller it is not a hard fix.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/04/2009 16:02:24

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 16:29:50

Try running a piece of wire up the pisser--you might free up a little piece of crud that's blocking the line. I've had that happen a few times. I don't remember if there's a temp shutdown (or throttle limiter) on that vintage. If you don't have the owner's manual, you can get it as a PDF from [url="http://www.honda-marine.com/owners/OwnerManuals.aspx"]Honda's site[/url].

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essen48183
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2009 : 20:44:40

I second the wire idea. Also, even if it's not the impeller (a rubber star shaped thingy) It is time to replace it. They don't last that long and become brittle and break apart. Someone once suggested to me that they should be replaced annually. Makes sense, not worth chancing a failure and the ensuing overheated engine for a $20 part.

Each season, I'd add that to your engine maintenance schedule, it is usually just above the lower unit on the shaft, shouldn't require draining the lower fluid to get to it now.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2009 : 08:26:25

If you remove the cowling after running the engine you can check the temp of your engine by feeling how hot the top of the starter mechanism feels. If its too hot to keep your hand on it, it is too hot. If you can keep your hand on it your impeller should be working. Just because it is working does not mean it should not be replaced.
On an 8HP Honda the lack of the tell-tale stream does not necessarily indicate an inoperable impeller but does indicate investigation is needed. The Honda engine has a water channel that is integrated into the intake manifold, separate from the main cooling channel, that allows the tell-tale stream of water to pass. It could be that channel is plugged with debris, salt or water deposits. Unfortunately the channel makes a right turn just inside of where the water exits so unplugging with a wire does not work well. I pulled off the manifold and used a dremel tool to clean up the water channel and it fixed the problem. Mine was plugged with salt. I had been running the engine for almost a year like this before I realized there should be a stream of water visible. When I replaced the impeller it still looked new and I had no apparent signs of overheating. The actual cooling channels are much larger then the tell-tale channel so the tell-tale channel will plug first.
The thermostat is also present under the intake manifold cover and it was salt encrusted as well. If your thermostat is not operating properly the engine will not reach the proper operating temp and this can lead to poor burning of fuel or sludging of the crankcase oil. If you remove the intake manifold, replace the thermostat.
Hope this helps.

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bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2009 : 08:48:29

Thanx guys, When I took the engine out of winter storage it ran fine and water was coming out the tube in my make shift water tank at home. I chenged the plugs, fuel filter and lower end oil and engine oil. Yesterday after launch it started fine and while going to my slip I did not see any stream of water, was only about 1/3 power, I will have more time tomorrow to investigate. Hopefully it's mudwasp's in that tube. Biggest problem might be getting engine off
with out bringing trailer back up. THANX again

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.