Mariner 40hp Exhaust/water questions

akirk · 21 July 2011, 20:34

Just tested my engine for the first time (bought the boat a few weeks ago, but it has sat until I had time).

I will say up front that I have very little technical knowledge

the exhaust seems to be coming out of the engine in an unexpected place between the top and the leg... is this normal or indicative of an issue? - see this video...

‪Mariner 40HP Exhaust‬‏ - YouTube

many thanks

Alasdair
(n.b. also asking a question about water exiting engine)

Having just tested the engine tonight, a couple of questions - this one about water...

as you can see from the photo and video below I have a good strong telltale which is great, however I also have water coming out of a few other places - as I basically have no knowledge of engines I thought I would check whether this is normal or not!?!

places of exit marked on photo...

regards

Alasdair

(N.B. also posted question ref. exhaust...)

‪Mariner 40HP running‬‏ - YouTube

Nos4r2 · 21 July 2011, 21:23

The exhaust coming out of there could well be an issue with the powerhead to leg join.

As both your questions are about the same engine I've merged the two questions and retitled the thread.

If you're about tomorrow during the day I'll pop in and have a look if you like-drop me a PM.

akirk · 21 July 2011, 21:32

Thanks - wasn't sure whether one thread or two would be better as different questions!
Not entirely sure about tomorrow as am out am - will pm you

regards

Alasdair

Boats&Outboards · 21 July 2011, 22:49

You should be able to remove that lower cowling to get a better idea of any damage etc.

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

captnjack · 21 July 2011, 22:53

The exhaust gases from up by the cowling is not normal.
The water from the rear portion of the lower unit is fine (normal).

spartacus · 22 July 2011, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by captnjack

The exhaust gases from up by the cowling is not normal.
The water from the rear portion of the lower unit is fine (normal).

Exhaust manifold - regards puffs of smoke near the cowl? Involves taking the engine block off to investigate.

akirk · 22 July 2011, 17:11

Thanks guys - useful... I guess I need to take it to the local bod who deals with engines... Is there any problem in putting the boat in the water and trying it tomorrow - or am I risking potential damage?

the chap I bought it from was using it the previous week...

regards

Alasdair

Boats&Outboards · 22 July 2011, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by akirk

Thanks guys - useful... I guess I need to take it to the local bod who deals with engines... Is there any problem in putting the boat in the water and trying it tomorrow - or am I risking potential damage?

the chap I bought it from was using it the previous week...

regards

Alasdair

Not looked into fully but if it's an outlet issue rather than the water-cooling system I'd guess it's not going to be affected by launching it for a full test. Only problem I see is if the powerhead gasket gives way and let's water in where it shouldn't

I'm not an engineer though, I have guys who do all that for me!!

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

captnjack · 22 July 2011, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by akirk

Thanks guys - useful... I guess I need to take it to the local bod who deals with engines... Is there any problem in putting the boat in the water and trying it tomorrow - or am I risking potential damage?

the chap I bought it from was using it the previous week...

regards

Alasdair

Take the cowl off and see if you can tell where the "puffs" are coming from. It may be the exhaust manifold but might be something obvious. I don't think I would do more than a very short range trial since you might be rowing home!

akirk · 22 July 2011, 20:02

Thanks - will be putting boat on the Thames, so worst case is about 5 yards to a bank!
will have a look at it - anyone who has other ideas, do chip in - but will take it to a mechanic - will try and persuade my car mechanic to have a look (don't think he likes boat engines - but an engine is an engine! so will try and persuade him...)

so many thanks for all the help

Alasdair

Nos4r2 · 22 July 2011, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by akirk

Thanks - will be putting boat on the Thames, so worst case is about 5 yards to a bank!
will have a look at it - anyone who has other ideas, do chip in - but will take it to a mechanic - will try and persuade my car mechanic to have a look (don't think he likes boat engines - but an engine is an engine! so will try and persuade him...)

so many thanks for all the help

Alasdair

Don't use a car mechanic-he won't have a clue and is more likely to do more harm than good.

akirk · 23 July 2011, 14:47

Well... took it out on the Thames this afternoon successfully...
- forgot the bung, so boat started to fill - pulled out, drained, put bung in, refloated it

- then had to paddle boat out of slipway area as it was too shallow for the engine...
- it started first time (no obvious exhaust fumes)
- discovered that it felt a bit lumpy at slow speed, but fine at higher revs
- seemed to go very smoothly
- turning circle is quite poor (though only tried to port...)
- switched engine off at one point, wouldn't restart with the key - but did pull start...
back in, and back out of the water - 20 minutes on the water & very enjoyable!

spoke to Red Line Outboard Services in Abingdon (nearest servicing to us it seems) and his view was:
- exhaust when running in a bucket will come back up the tilt tubes and exit as shown above - therefore probably normal.
- they are usually lumpy at 700 revs and smoother above 1000 revs.
- could be a fuse / solenoid / etc. stopping it from starting on the key...

so, off for a checkup - but generally pleased - felt very good...

Alasdair

Boats&Outboards · 23 July 2011, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by akirk

Well... took it out on the Thames this afternoon successfully...
- forgot the bung, so boat started to fill - pulled out, drained, put bung in, refloated it

- then had to paddle boat out of slipway area as it was too shallow for the engine...
- it started first time (no obvious exhaust fumes)
- discovered that it felt a bit lumpy at slow speed, but fine at higher revs
- seemed to go very smoothly
- turning circle is quite poor (though only tried to port...)
- switched engine off at one point, wouldn't restart with the key - but did pull start...
back in, and back out of the water - 20 minutes on the water & very enjoyable!

spoke to Red Line Outboard Services in Abingdon (nearest servicing to us it seems) and his view was:
- exhaust when running in a bucket will come back up the tilt tubes and exit as shown above - therefore probably normal.
- they are usually lumpy at 700 revs and smoother above 1000 revs.
- could be a fuse / solenoid / etc. stopping it from starting on the key...

so, off for a checkup - but generally pleased - felt very good...

Alasdair

Alls good then

The stater issue can always be bypassed. Rather than pulling it over take the hood off and bridge the solenoid to start it (with ignition on so the kill switch is active). There's a brown cable which if you unplug and touch to the other terminal from the positive battery lead it will turn over. If not the solenoid is faulty. If it does it's the ignition (my bet is the kill) side of things. Poor/intermittent connection

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

uncle al · 23 July 2011, 17:51

Mike at redline is a good honest bloke, i have known him a long time.

Nos4r2 · 23 July 2011, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncle al

Mike at redline is a good honest bloke, i have known him a long time.

Seconded.

jyasaki · 23 July 2011, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by akirk

- turning circle is quite poor (though only tried to port...)

I assume you were turning at near idle speed. Turning will always be poor with no power applied. If you need to turn in a shorter radius, crank the wheel over, give it a decent burst of power, then come back to idle or neutral. To turn in an even tighter circle, work your arms out first (you'll need it), then alternate forward and reverse power bursts and corresponding full-lock engine turns (the on-water equivalent of a 3 point U-turn in a car.)

Also be aware that at low speeds a boat pivots differently than a car: going forwards, the boat pivots around a point about a third of the way back from the bow. In reverse, it pivots around a point a quarter to a third of the way forward from the transom.

Luck;

jky

Boats&Outboards · 23 July 2011, 19:50

You can also try moving the return bar in one slot on the engine connection under the front cowl. That will give you more one way but you could lose it the other! Trial and error. You could also make up a plate to extend it to give more play again.

Peter @ Boatsandoutboards4sale ~ askboatsandoutboards4sale@sky.com ~ 07930 421007

akirk · 23 July 2011, 20:37

wow - such fantastic responses on here - so grateful!
I know Red Line from a few years back when I had a Thames Cruiser with 7hp outboard - they were great then... It is really ridiculous that living by the Thames and in the middle of the Cotswold Water Park the nearest marine engineer is so far away - but great that they are reliable!

Thanks for the tips on turning - I think that it is a matter of getting used to the boat - the problem with the Thames up here is the slow speeds and narrow river - not conducive to easy turns!

so will take boat over tomorrow and see what they say...

Alasdair