Honda 8hp Outboard 2011 model BF8LRU

[Jaguar 25]

Just bought a new-to -me Leisure 18 with a Honda 8hp outboard 2011 model BF8LRU. Looks great and has been regularly serviced. However, there is no tell-tale cooling water flow, it only spits a little. I have only run it on tick-over for 15 minutes apart from motoring to my swinging mooring but would expect to see a reasonable cooling water flow. Or, does this not start on this model until the thermostat opens? Reluctant to rely on it until I can establish whether the cooling water impellor in knackered.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[VicS]

Just bought a new-to -me Leisure 18 with a Honda 8hp outboard 2011 model BF8LRU. Looks great and has been regularly serviced. However, there is no tell-tale cooling water flow, it only spits a little. I have only run it on tick-over for 15 minutes apart from motoring to my swinging mooring but would expect to see a reasonable cooling water flow. Or, does this not start on this model until the thermostat opens? Reluctant to rely on it until I can establish whether the cooling water impellor in knackered.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Check that the telltale outlet is not blocked

I am pretty sure that the water should flow from the telltale as soon as the engine is started .... but this will be clarified by reading the owner's manual which you should be able to download from the Honda website if you have mislaid your copy

If in doubt about the age of the water pump impeller it is a good idea to replace it on a "new to you" engine anyway

 

[Jaguar 25]

Check that the telltale outlet is not blocked

I am pretty sure that the water should flow from the telltale as soon as the engine is started .... but this will be clarified by reading the owner's manual which you should be able to download from the Honda website if you have mislaid your copy

If in doubt about the age of the water pump impeller it is a good idea to replace it on a "new to you" engine anyway

I do have the manual, which just says to check for the water flow and doesn't say it would take a while so presumably it should flow immediately.
Given that the service record states that the last service was February this year, my assumption would be that the impellor should be OK unless it has been run dry in the intervening period (unlikely as the previous owner was very experienced). I will check the cooling water outlet as I previously had an outboard that needed this to be poked to reinstate the cooling water flow. Inlets are definitely clear. If this is clear then impellor replacement seems the best option.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[theoldsalt]

Don't assume the impellor is OK just by a service record that may be false anyway. If the engine has been run out of the water then the impellor will have soon melted and be knackered.
Whenever acquiring anything mechanical "second hand" like an engine, have it serviced yourself for peace of mind that all is OK. Your life may depend on it working when required.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

The telltale should always be flowing healthily & always be almost cold. Three reasons why it's not flowing...

1 The telltale nozzle if blocked by bits or salt where it leaves the engine. Poke a nodger up there or pull the pipe off inside the case. This is the most likely reason.

2 The cooling channels in the head/block are blocked with salt or corrosion. This is the next most likely cause, is tricky or expensive to fix. You can sometimes get an indication of the crud in there by taking the thermostat or the head anode out & having a peer & a poke.

3 The impeller is knackered. Not impossible, but outboard impellers last ages. This is the least likely cause. Not too hard to fix if corrosion around the bolts holding the bottom of the leg are not too corroded. If it's not reason 1 & you investigate the impeller stick a new one in anyway while you're there.