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Is the water discharging from correct location?

W

Weldon Norman

New member
I've got a 1976 Johnson 35 hp, model 35EL76G. I put a new impeller in, and have bolted the lower unit back on. I just bought this engine, and finally got it to run today. While running smoothly, it only discharges a fine mist of warm spray out the back, upper holes, which I've heard referred to as the "tell tale." I know some water is also supposed to vent out above the anti-cavitation plate through the back slots, but is some...the majority...of the water supposed to vent out the lower of the two vertical holes on the front, leading edge of the lower unit? These holes do not have plugs in them, and are apparently not used for access to screws, bolts, etc. When you look into these holes, you can see the drive shaft rotating. I've got a manual, but it doesn't address the name of the holes, or what purpose they serve. I would really like to know before I burn this engine up. Any help would be appreciated. Yes, I did take the lower unit back off and then re-stab it to be sure the copper water tube is in the rubber grommet on top of the water pump impeller housing, and also plugged into the upper part of the lower unit.
 
The tell tale should be a jet of water coming out sideways and this is an indicator that the water pump is pumping water.
Make sure it is not a simple blocked tell tale. My Johnson 70hp was working fine on the water but when I took it home to clean out the motor the tell tale started to trickle out. I worked out it was a bit of rubbish in the tell tale.
But obviously if the motor is not getting enough water flow it will overheat and seize. You may then have to throw it in the bin.
 
Thanks for the reply. My engine doesn't have the side discharge that looks like a kid peeing, only the two horizontal holes on the rear of the lower unit, upper part, which discharges a very warm fine mist. I said previously that there were some vents in the lower unit, but on closer inspection they are just dummy vents. So, I guess the "other" exhaust venting with the water is the correct place, the two vertical holes on the front of the lower unit. I can put my hand on the powerhead above the sparkplugs without getting burned, so I think I'm good to go.
 
Good suggestion, since I had dug out a lot of mud daubers nests, but I hadn't looked for an obstruction there. I don't think it wsa clogged, but between a long, skinny screwdriver and a 120# forced air, igt should be able to breathe now, if it was partially clogged.
 
On that year motor you should have water and exhust coming from the upper holes till the motor warms up and the theromstat opens up. After that the water comming from them should slow down some. The holes on the front of the midsection are drain holes so any water in there will drain out when removed from the water. The therostat should open at 145dgs. and cool the motor then.
Best of Boating,
Oldman570
 
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