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9.9 4-stroke problem

T

topaz

New member
Hi! I have a 9.9 4-stroke outboard engine, converted to a sail boat rig, where the engine sticks out from under the hull. It's designed so the cooling water comes out from a hose sticking out of the side of the hull, and also there's some water mixed in with the exhaust. Now, here's the problem: the other day after running the engine for the first time after the Winter, the engine was running nicely, until I heard a metallic 'clonk', and then water stopped coming out of the exhaust (the regular cooling water was still flowing though). I immediately stopped the engine, and haven't started it or investigated further. Any ideas on what the problem might be?
 
Hi topaz,
Welcome aboard the forum.
Did the engine run or sound any different from before the "clonk". I mean, your only perception of something being "amiss" is the lack of water from the exhaust?

Were you moving forward when this occurred? If so, is it possible that you hit something? Can you see the lower part of the engine well enough to determine if something might be blocking the water intake screens?

I know! More questions than answers but this is an unusual one. Hopefully somebody else has some ideas.
 
Hi jgmo and thanks for your input. My boat had just been lifted into the water, and I was slowly making my way over to my 'parking spot' in the marina. Unfortunately I can't see the water intakes, and the water is still waay too cold for a swim (the last of the ice here in Stockholm, Sweden just melted away about 3 weeks ago, spring was crazy late this year). Lifting the boat out of the water again would really be my last resort. Any ideas on how to troubleshoot? Thanks again!
 
Wow! I wonder if your issue is related somehow to that ice? What year is the outboard? There was a change in 2001 (with the USA models anyway) and they went to an ignition control module with "engine protection" built in. If yours is equipped with that, it might be safe to run it a bit to see if you can determine just what is happening. I am not familiar at all with the pre '01 models.

The water that comes from the side or bypass "tell tale" is intended to indicate that the pump is operating but I agree with your fear that something is wrong if the water isn't sputtering out of the exhaust "chamber". However, that chamber is a large, mostly hollow space and, depending on how and when the engine was stored, water could have been trapped in there and then frozen. It could simply have been a large "ice cube" blocking the entrance to the chamber and the water and exhaust gasses would just go on by there and exit out the lower case and prop hub.

I'm afraid all I have to offer is to run it for a bit and see what happens. If it doesn't operate as it did in the past, then the only safe thing to do would be to pull the boat or get the outboard to shore by pulling it out of the well. I personally can't pick up a 9.9 anymore but I have replaced a few diesels in sailboats using the boom and main halyard as a crane. Once it's on the dock, more testing or a tear down and inspection of the pump can be performed.

Sorry you're having trouble right at the start of sailing season!
 
I'm pretty sure it's not related to ice, temperature now is well above freezing. Good tip about the engine protection, I think it's a -03 circa. I'll try and run it carefully and see what happens. If all fails I guess I'll just have to lift it out again. Thanks for your kind advice!
 
Well, the EP module will only DEPOWER the engine if it starts to overheat so it's still up to you to monitor what's happening and shut it down if need be. But, you should be able to run it until it does start to kick in the derate program of the module without the risk of damaging the engine. Keep in mind that it shouldn't take long at all if it is starving for water.
Good luck and keep us posted as to what you find.
 
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