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Thread: Outboard Problem - Hot Shaft!!

  1. #1

    Unhappy Outboard Problem - Hot Shaft!!

    Hi Guys,
    I know nothing about outboard motors, so i am hoping someone can help me out....i apologise for my vague descriptions!

    I have an Evinrude 88 Model 25hp long shaft. The problem i have is that it seems to be heating up.

    The water coming out of the two holes at the rear top of the shaft is quite hot, and it doesn't stream out, but seems to spray out. Is this normal? or should it stream out?

    I had the boat in the water today, and when i returned to the ramp and turned off the motor, the outside of the shaft was hot, with steam coming off it. From pulling up anchor and back to the ramp was less than 10 mins.

    Any ideas as to the cause of my problem? Am i doing any damage to the motor if i keep using it (i think it can't be good for it!)? Approx. service cost to get it fixed?

    I have heard of motors needing new water pumps, but seeing mine is still spitting out water, i figured the water pump must be ok.

    Finally, does anyone know a descent marine mechanic on the central coast (Gosford area) of NSW.

    Hope someone can help.

    Thanks,

    Pete

  2. #2

    Re: Outboard Problem - Hot Shaft!!

    Water will "sputter" out from the exhaust relief holes at the top of the leg as its a mixture of exhaust gas and water and it will be warm.

    The leg getting hot is another issue though. More importantly when the engine is running, feel around the engine itself (the powerhead). Take the cowl off and feel the engine. Is it too hot to touch? If so its not cooling well enough.

    I would expect your leg to get warmed up to some degree since the exhaust gasses pass through the leg and exit from the prop (prop jet exhaust) as well as from the exhaust relief holes in the top of the leg. However, I would not expect it to be steaming.

    Cannot help with a mechanic in your area as I don't know the area.

    Cheers

  3. #3

    Re: Outboard Problem - Hot Shaft!!

    mate could be a number of things,blocked gallerys,damaged-worn impellor,thermostat,water pump lining worn or scored,water intakes blocked.I had a 99mod of these engines which i bought new it did seem to run quite warm compared to other engines that i have had but never steaming.A few simple things you could try yourself are putting a length of mono up the telltail hole,check your intake for foreign objects like sand or even wasp nests especially if you havnt used it for a while.If it lasted 10 mins its proberbly no big issue say new impellor maybe water pump housing and bottom liner plate.A seriously blocked engine will only run for maybe 1 min before lockup time(belive me i had a tohatsu that didnt even go for that long first time out after a DEALER service).If pain persits see a GOOD mechanic asap.

  4. #4

    Re: Outboard Problem - Hot Shaft!!

    Was the steam coming off the outside of the leg or coming out of the leg.
    Did you notice if the telltale was streaming water out of it?? (should be just under the cowl on the RHS towards the rear of the engine)
    f not then you have water pump/circulation problems.
    If it was out of the leg then it may be just some exhaust gas/smoke left in there.
    When you say the leg was quite hot could you leave your hand on it or could you cook an egg on it.
    BM has described how to simply 'test' for 'too hot' excellently.
    Good one BM
    I intend on living for-ever....so far so good


  5. #5

    Re: Outboard Problem - Hot Shaft!!

    One thing not to discount with an older motor after looking for the usuals of impellor/seals, thermostats and evern water divertors is a gear box that is full of water and is seizing up causing the engine to get hot

  6. #6

    Re: Outboard Problem - Hot Shaft!!

    Hi Guys,

    Thanks so much for all the feedback.

    Water is streaming out from the telltale??..small outlet underneath the motor, at right hand side. With water coming out of there nice and strong, i just assumed that it should of been streaming out of the (what i now know as!!)...exhaust relief holes (the things you learn!).

    Thanks BM...Makes sense that with a mix of gases and water, it should be spluttering, or getting blown out.

    When i feel the motor itself, it seems fine, no noticeable heat at all.
    The leg, or shaft, gets hot to touch. You can keep your hand on it, just quite hot...certainly not "egg cooking" hot.

    As for the steam....it does come out of the holes, so quite likely to be some exhaust smoke. Also get some steam coming off the leg....assuming that is just the water evaporating off due to the heat in the leg.

    It's quite possible that the motor has always run like this, it's just something that i have recently noticed.

    The motor is due for a service (as soon as i can afford it) so i will have it all checked out then. Until the service, i now feel more comfortable running the motor, knowing that the heat doesn't appear to be as big an issue as i first thought.

    Thanks again for all your knowledgeable info.

    Cheers,

    Pete

  7. #7

    Re: Outboard Problem - Hot Shaft!!

    How cold was the air temp? Steam will be more evident on a cold day than during warmer weather.
    ROLL TIDE, ROLL.................

    Regards,
    Peter

  8. #8

    Re: Outboard Problem - Hot Shaft!!

    Hi
    had the same prob 1985 25hpmariner..........got a mechanic to look at it, turned out to be a powerhead gaskit blown.would get hot and steam on the plane the water would not pump .....and overheat..........he also found lots of rubbish and old impeller in the system good as new now
    good luck with the motor

    kev
    Last edited by gonefeedin; 20-05-2007 at 10:14 AM.

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