Outboard woes

[surekandoo]

Just got my Suzuki DT4 out of winter storage, given it a service, changed water pump impellor etc.

On test running in a tank, I don't get any flow from the tell tale.

I've tried all the usual tricks, fresh water up the tell tale under pressure - this drained OK from the leg. Fresh water up the pump exit pipe - also drained OK with small dribble from tell tale. Checked pump - electric drill on main shaft - pump healthy.

Sounds like a blocked internal water way despite unit having been throughly flushed with fresh water at end of last season.

Anyone got any solutions or ideas or is it the big strip down?

 

[dickh]

Have you reassembled the impellor correctly with all the bits in right place? This happened to me many years ago and it was only discovered when I took it to the dealer to fix it.

 

[Sui Generis]

Had the same trouble with mine and it turned out that the waterway round the head/block was full of salt and corrosion and blocked. Cleaned all that out and AOK for a few years.

Second time it happened same problem. However, I haven't since then been able to source an new head gasket, so if you find one let me know where from and it may yet run again!

 

[surekandoo]

I think so but I'm going to check it again although it seemed to pump OK with the drill on the shaft. I'm dropping the boat in the water tomorrow and need the o/b to get her round on to the berth so it's a real pain if can't use the motor.

 

[steve28]

you might get some joy using an inner wire from a bike brake cable up the tube, this worked for me in a couple of instances. I now use the marine descaller and this keeps it flowing nicely. you might find it will unblock it if you can get enough into the block.

steve

 

[surekandoo]

Can't you get a gasket from your local Suzuki dealer?

 

[surekandoo]

Marine descaler eh, where can you get this from? Is it the same stuff as is used for descaling kettles etc.?

 

[Sui Generis]

Not in my experience. There may well be other independents who can supply though, I just haven't looked hard enough

 

[Lakesailor]

Do you think you should alter your forum identity until you get it fixed?

 

[Sui Generis]

Probably. As the motor's been as it is now for about three years, it may be a permanent change . . . /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[William_H]

You said that puting fresh water hose on the pump outlet pipe gives small dribble at the tell tale. My Johnson does the same thing periodically. a piece of wire I use 3/16 1x19 pushed up the pipe seems to clear the obstruction. I think you should get a vigorous tell tale flow with a garden hose attached in place of the pump. good luck olewill

 

[chippie]

Make sure it is sitting deep enough in the tank when you test it. I dont know whether the impeller is in the leg or behind the prop on the DT4, so ignore this if not applicable.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Check the thermostat if one is fitted. My Mariner seems to use this (doubtless a design "feature") as a crud strainer but remove, clean and flush and Robert is your mother's brother.

 

[impact30]

Milking Machine descaler worked well on my yamaha and should be readily available, however I can't tell you yet first hand of any long term side effects. As far as I know it contains phosphoric acid. I turned it upside down and fed a solution into the telltale outlet and let it work for about 5 minutes, then flushed with fresh water.

 

[surekandoo]

Thanks everyone. SUCCESS!

Used kettle descaler (citric acid) with hot water. Checked pump assembly - it's OK - will only go back together correctly. Broggled the telltale out with bowden cable as suggested. Discover alternative access to waterjacket under cylinder jacket & gave that a blast too. It all worked and I have a healthy dribble now.

But my woes continue - damaged trailer on way down to launch and erected mast but forgot wind vane. Do you think I should stop sailing in view of these contraindications? ;-)

 

[Joe_Cole]

I think that you've also successfully coined a new verb, "To broggle".

Brilliant, it seems to describe it perfectly! I shall use it myself at every opportunity. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif





I suppose that someone will now come in and say that they've been using the word for years!

 

[surekandoo]

Re: Broggle - has been in common use with my friends and aquaintances for at least 40 years. I like it though; it describes the procedure exactly! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif