Impeller?

[Tides]

My 1988 2 stroke 6hp outboard will spit great when flushed with water muffs but when no water pressure is applied, ie running in water bucket or just running out on the sound spitting becomes suboptimal and often overheats. Help!

 

[ClassicAQ]

You're seeing water out the telletale when pressure applied bc it's taking the path of least resistance. The motor isn't overheating at that time bc it's not under load. In contrast, when under load and no external water pressure applied it's overheating. My guess is water isn't circulating around the head, i.e. blockage. 30 yr old motor. When was last time you pulled the heads off to clean out the water passages?

 

[Tides]

You're seeing water out the telletale when pressure applied bc it's taking the path of least resistance. The motor isn't overheating at that time bc it's not under load. In contrast, when under load and no external water pressure applied it's overheating. My guess is water isn't circulating around the head, i.e. blockage. 30 yr old motor. When was last time you pulled the heads off to clean out the water passages?

Never! So you think the impeller is ok?(i had it replaced a few years ago)