InstaGator
Contributing Member
I have a 1973 evinrude 18hp(18304a) that I just got running. It was thrown in with a boat I recently purchased and it has been sitting for 4 years. Before it was running I replaced the impeller and seals that go along with it. Now its running but very little water comes from the exhaust(Ive read it "pees" from the exhaust and does not have an actual pee hole). I let it run for about 30 seconds and then felt the cylinders and they were pretty hot so I shut it off and let it cool. I decided to take the thermostat cover off and crank it again and no water came through where the thermostat is. I sprayed compressed air through where the thermostat is and could not see any bubbles coming from where the lower end sucks in the water. I took the lower end off and sprayed compressed air into the intake tube and it seems to be clear. I couldnt get the lower end to go back on and noticed the upper grommet where the water pickup tube goes was swelled up. I have a new one on the way but am not sure how to get in there to replace it, or if that is even the problem. I've gotten this far with it and don't want to let this stop me from having fun with it. I have read you have to take the powerhead off to replace the upper grommet but I dont see how that would do any good since its in the middle of the exhaust housing... any one have any tips or tricks to replace that grommet without having to take the powerhead off? The bolts for the powerhead look pretty rusted so I would like to avoid messing with it if possible unless I really need to. Of course if I do have to hopefully none of the bolts snap and then I can replace all of them with stainless steel bolts. Any help is appreciated. This is the first outboard Ive worked on.