2001 25 Mercury Question- Water coming out of Trim Cover

[Jason R.]

I'm only kind of familiar with outboard maintenance so this could be nothing- 2001 short shaft, electric start, 25hp- I started it for the first time on muffs and it ran well.  Motor was peeing fine once I removed the dirt dauber nests.  Idled great. Ran well, started easy.  Only thing is- when I rev'd it a bit, water shoots out from under the "trim cover"- basically at the top of the drive shaft housing.  I'm guessing this isn't normal.   Anyone had this happen?  Even better- anyone know how to fix it?  Maybe it is just because it was on muffs?  Thanks.

[fishinwrench]

If only I knew what a "trim cover" was..... 

Gotta pic ?

[Jason R.]

 

Sorry that is just what the parts list calls it.  I think its just a cosmetic piece.  The water must be coming out of the top of the drive shaft housing.  There is no water in the actual cowling.  This is not my motor but its similar.  I hope my MS paint skills can explain better than I could.

[fishinwrench]

Ahh gotcha (lower cowling).   

You are gonna have to remove the lower cowling and run it.  It may be the powerhead or exhaust plate gasket.  

[Jason R.]

Thanks wrench.  I am hoping it is just a gasket.  Also hoping I can replace it myself.  Is this going to blow up the motor?  I think it had been sitting a while but otherwise it looks and runs really good.

[fishinwrench]

If it is the powerhead gasket then it is lowering water pressure in the powerhead so YEAH it could cause some damage.   

If it is the exhaust plate it isn't going to blow the motor up....but it is only going to get worse, so it needs to be fixed.  

[Jason R.]

Great, thanks wrench- looks like the maiden voyage is getting pushed back a bit.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Great, thanks wrench- looks like the maiden voyage is getting pushed back a bit.

Doesn't this always happen with boats?

Pete

[Jason R.]

Doesn't this always happen with boats?

Pete

So true.  Me and my dad were high fiving eachother that this motor was running so well and then I gave it a little gas and whoops- water ain't supposed to come out of there...  So far I have never bought a used motor with 0 problems so I expected something.

[fishinwrench]

Doesn't this always happen with boats?

Pete

Only when your too cheap to take it to a decent shop and get it fixed, and too busy to do it yourself.     A couple hours of work is required for any trip/vacation.   

That motor can be fixed quicker than you could make a deal on a new one.