Advice on outboard start up out of water.

[vintageb3]

Hi Folks, I hope someone can help me here. My father has a Picton speed boat with a Yamaha 60 on the back we used for skiing. Yamaha Model is 60FET It has 6H2 L 350724 written on the metal plate. My father bought the boat and engine new around 35 years ago. He always washed the boat and the flushed out the engine after each outing. It was well looked after. Both engine and boat are in good condition as we haven't really used the boat for many years...maybe 20. Its not been used at all in the last 10 years so its been in a garage with a boat cover over it. We are thinking about selling boat and engine so need to check it over. Before putting the boat in the water, we need to test at home. Years ago my father made up a muffler to run the boat out of the water. But our memory is not so good. We took the bolt out of the leg and put in the adapter to put a hose on and fitted the muffler. With engine off and running water to the engine, there's no coolant spout from the back top of the leg. We can't remember if there's should be or if we have to have the engine running to have the impeller turning to get that spout. If so, how long should the engine be running before the water spout is evident. We don't want to run the engine for too long as you will understand. So, how long does it take? We think should only be about 5-10 seconds...no more. We don't have to be in gear do we? We stripped down the bottom end to check the impeller. I've attached a pic. Do you think that impeller needs replacing? We also checked the thermostat, its working well. If there could be a coolant blockage, where is likely to be? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[robert graham]

Replace it....since you've already got it apart and it's only about $30, good idea to install new one.....check pump housing for any overheating/melting....another $30 item, if needed..

[DennisG01]

All of the vanes of that impeller seem to be intact - which is a good thing as you don't have to go hunting to find them. BUT, I wouldn't even consider starting the engine with an impeller that old in there - you don't want a piece breaking off. The housing appears to be good - but check with your fingernail. If you can get your nail caught in a groove, however slight, replace it.

Telltale (pisser)... I assume this is what you are talking about when you said "coolant spout"? While I'm not overly familiar with your engine, water takes the path of least resistance and it's not uncommon for water to NOT come out the telltale without the engine running. The telltale could also be clogged - a piece of weewhacker line can help - or, if possible, follow the water line on the inside of the cowling and backtrack. Again, though, I'm not exactly sure what yours looks like so a pic would help.

I'm not sure what you are talking about regarding "removing a bolt", but.... why not just use a commonly available (about $6) flush attachment? They look like ear muffs and are sometimes just called "muffs".

[vintageb3]

HI Guys, Thanks so much for the advice! Yes, it's the lack of water from the tell tale (found videos on YouTube with the term) that was giving us concern. We removed the thermostat and with the lower part of the leg off, played water up the intake. The water came out the thermostat housing as you would expect. So it does look as though the pipe or nozzle is blocked. We will check that tomorrow. I will order an impeller and fit it. The muffs I was trying to avoid buying as we are selling the boat. We have found a trash can that we can stick the bottom of the outboard in. We used to have a purpose cut 45 gallon drum for running the engine, but that got thrown out years ago. Thank you guys so much!

[99yam40]

A piece of weed wacker line shoved up the tell tail can help clear it some times if the plug is close enough, but compressed air shot up the tell tail while motor running in water can help also

[vintageb3]

I was going to use a bit of 3D printing filament which almost the same. Thanks!

[robert graham]

The muffs are a cheap (about $5)at Walmart....lots easier to use than a drum of water...

[vintageb3]

The muffs are a cheap (about $5)at Walmart....lots easier to use than a drum of water...

Unfortunately, the nearest Walmart is 3000 miles from me....I'm in Scotland. Ebay has them, but ill try the free trash can first. Thanks!

[vintageb3]

Hi Guys, The telltale was indeed blocked right at the nozzle. Clear now. Waiting for a new impeller to be shipped. Thanks!