Water exit on Optimax

[Lars T]

I have benne running my optimax a couple of time with the "flush-kit" see pic - but i don't get any water coming out of the engine at the exhaust (blue ring)?? It's coming out off two small holes (red rings) on either side of the leg and close to a square thing - is this normal or do I have a major problem??

 

[kiwiracer]

sometimes low water pressure at the hose causes this
does the telltale(blue ring) blow strong in the water?

 

[Lars T]

Hi Kiwi - haven't tried it in water yet - picked her up friday - but I was hoping for this kind of answer..
thx..

 

[jw.]

Using muffs, shurely it should come out of exactly the same places it comes out of normally in the water except, possibly the tick over relief. It's difficult to see in the photo whether it's coming out of the gearcase or just pishing past the muff rubber. I'd check the impeller condition to be safe. You don't want to go and overheat it the first time out.

 

[Tony Davis]

I'd also be tempted to double up on the steering cable, or go hydraulic. A single cable isn't really suitable for your setup!

 

[Lars T]

Tony, it is a hydraulic setup..

 

[BluFin]

Dare I say looks like a single cable ????

 

[BluFin]

but feel free to add blind feker to my list of ailments

 

[Lars T]

I'm pretty sure it's a hydraulic setup - but you are now confusing me
Will have a marinemecanic install a hydralic one, if it's a single cable, when he's checking the engine as well....
How would a hydraulic setup look like - would it have two cables??

 

[Cookee]

It wouldn't have any cables, it would have two hydraulic pipes going to a hydraulic ram.

You should have water coming out of the tell tale at the top, the water pressure would have to be quite low for that not to happen - how long have you run the engine for?

If you look at the instruments you should find a water pressure reading on the tacho side I think?

 

[Lars T]

The engine has only been running for 4-5 min..

I do not have a water pressure-meter only an oil-pressure - however i having one installed when the mecanic does the check up and installs the hydraulic steering..

Come to think of it, there waren't any "beebs" before we started it..!!

Hmmm, maybe this wasn't a good deal after all..!!!

 

[Cookee]

If it's a Optimax it should come with a tachometer and speedometer, both with small lcd displays capable of showing all sorts of data from the engine. Get the engineer to look at the water issue - it may not be a problem once on the water, but better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Lars T]

but better to be safe than sorry!

So true so true

Here's my layout..

Red - Speedo
Yellow - Voltmeter
Brown - Fuel
Pink - Hourmeter
Blue - Clock
Green - Tacho
White - Oilpressure

 

[Cookee]

Well from the photo it looks like you didn't get the proper instruments with the engine, it might be worth asking where they are as they should come with every engine!

 

[Lars T]

Hmmm even the ones from 99?!

 

[Jono]

I'd also 'ave a word with the blind geezer who supplied yer instrument bezels too.....

 

[Lars T]

Why??
I quite like em..

 

[Cookee]

Just spoken to someone who knows - In 1999, the "Smartcraft" guages with the digital display was an extra option, the system has been updated since then so later guages won't work either - sounds like you should stay with what you have! A Water pressure guage is also usefull if you ever think of fitting a lifter.

 

[Lars T]

Thanks, I thought so..
It does have a jackplate however it's a manuel one - was thinking of putting on a hydraulic one, but it seems now the problems are coming a shore like a tsunami
What is best to add: a water pressure gauge or a cooling-water temperature gauge - or both?? Since i am getting rid of the clock as well - no need for the extra weight

 

[Cookee]

Water pressure is best - if you lose pressure it will then get hot!