Check your water pressure !!!!

[Capt Cefus]

I was on the boat the other day.  Had just replaced the impellers on both motors and the water pressure gauge was reading just fine.

I cranked up at the dock and saw one engine had a solid stream of water coming out the telltale.   The other had what looked more like a 'spray' coming out instead of a solid stream.  The water pressure gauge showed plenty of pressure, so I eased out.. thinking that the motor hadn't quite picked up enough water yet.   I eased up on to plane and looked back and still not a good stream.   So I shut the engine down and idled back to the dock.   

The next step was to see if there was something blocking the telltale outlet.  Stuck a long twist tie up the tube and nothing came out and felt no obstruction.   So... cranked the motor again, and then stuck the twist tie up in there, and lo and behold a piece of gravel about the size of an oblong pea came out.   As soon as that happened the stream was strong and solid.   

So.. the moral is Always keep an eye on your water pressure gauge AND look around occasionally to make sure your motor is 'pissing' too.

[coachb]

Dirt Dobbers are the culprits as well. I keep a piece of wire leader to use for unclogging the telltalel hole.
Plus, it is a good practice to change imperrper every other year if you use the boat frequently.