How to Unclog an Outboard Motor

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A clogged outboard motor can be the most frustrating thing you’ll ever experience with your boat. The extent of your frustration depends on the area, nature and the actual cause of the problem. 

For instance, a clog in the cooling water discharge may not require disassembly of the outboard, while an outboard that’s been left in a mud bank will need complete disassembly. 

Let’s unclog your motor…

 

Let's unclog your motor

 

First things first, find the blockage. Once you spot it, go back to the product manual and read about the process you’re about to tackle. You not only can get information on the various methods of unclogging an outboard motor, but also information on specific troubleshooting techniques. 

Now, many a time clogs occur in the discharge hole of the cooling system. Assuming your outboard is not letting out water from the system, run a stiff wire into the discharge tube to remove dirt that’s clogging the hole. 

If the problem is bigger than that, you’ll need to undertake thorough troubleshooting. It could be simple flushing of the cooling system with fresh water using a garden hose, or a bit complex as removing the carburetor and cleaning it in a carburetor cleaner before reinstalling it. 

Note that most parts of an outboard motor are removable and easy to inspect, though others such as the jets in a carburetor are difficult to inspect for a layperson. 

When reinstalling parts, make sure that all electrical connections are tight and that there’s proper insulation on the wires, otherwise, a short circuit can disguise as a potential clog. 

Before you get down to it

 

An outboard motor may be a small machine, but it’s such a sophisticated engine. This means you need the aptitude to disassemble to perform complex repairs, be it mechanical, electrical, or technical

man troubleshooting his outboard

So if you’re not confident about troubleshooting your outboard, feel free to seek the services of a marine technician. 

Why is there no water coming out of my outboard motor?

 

The chances are that there’s something wrong with the water pump impeller, a compact, round disc with rotating blades used to channel water through the machine’s circuit. When this unit is broken, it halts the water supply to the engine and eventually causes overheating. 

Another reason could be a block in the water intake. If this is the case, just turn off the engine and check for anything like trash or weeds in the intake. Remove the foreign objects and restart the engine after it has cooled a bit. 

Also, a clog in the water output can prevent water from coming out of your outboard. A blocked output disrupts water flow throughout the whole engine. 

 

PS: If you’re interested in learning about mounting outboard motors, check out our guide here.

How much water should be coming out of my outboard?

 

Well, it’s hard to quantify, but it should be a steady flow of water. Moreover, not all outboard models are made the same, some are large and others are small. 

Should water coming out of the outboard be hot?

 

The water coming out of your outboard motor should be warm, not hot. Note that the temperature of the water rises if the flow rate is too low. And if the flow rate is weak, then your pump impeller needs cleaning or replacement. 

What would cause an outboard motor to not pee?

 

The most common issue here is clogging in the pee hole. The reason for the blockages could be as simple as dirt or as complicated as a broken down impeller, and the pieces are additionally restricting water to the cooling jackets. 

In Conclusion

 

Unclogging an outboard motor can be as easy as sticking a thin wire up the pee hole to remove debris or as complicated as dissembling the machine and cleaning the water pump impeller. 

Whichever the case, I believe the brief guide above has offered some tips on how to proceed. For further concerns or queries, just shoot a line in the comments section.

Some of our other articles that might be of interest to you:

How To Clean a Boat Fuel Tank Without Removing It

How to Clear a Clogged Fuel Line

Bill
Bill

Bill is an ISA Sailing & Powerboating Instructor in Ireland. He writes about all things sailing.

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