Did this hurt the motor?

[Dave in Mpls]

My partner had his motor (90 hp Merc) running on muffs at idle. He ran out to the street to his truck to grab a tire gauge and when he came back (less than a minute), the muffs were off. He immediately put them back on, and said the pee stream was normal. Anything he should check, or just drop it in the drink and see how she runs.

[Husky]

Dave,

Personally had the same thing happen. Had a cuddy cabin and was running motor in driveway. Went up to consol and when came back, muff slipped off. Wasn't more than 30 secs to a minute, but I got paranoid about it since I was planning on doing some salmon fishing in Lake Michigan the next week and didn't want to be stranded 10-12 miles out.
Took it and had the impeller replaced to play it safe. The old impeller was fine, no wear to it or the impeller housing. Since the motor had been running with water present, everyting was already wet and somewhat lubricated, so the short duration did not cause visable damage. (Might have heated the rubber impeller and weakened it though---)

I now tie the earmuffs to the lower unit with a string from each side of the metal "bobby pin" of the muff. This keeps the muff on.

I think you will be OK as is.

[Rippin_Eyes]

Listen to Husky, Check it out. There is nothing worse than being stranded on the lake!!! Its better to be safe than sorry!!

[tbomn]

Run it, the only thing that could have happened to it was the water pump impeller may have got warmed up. If there is water pressure out the water discharge hole, then the pump it working fine. The impeller isn't going to go out on you, it will just get weak and not pump as strongly, and the hot horn will go off. Those Mercs are pretty touchy on temperature, so you will know. I have replaced quite a few impellers that I thought were bad because of warming them up, but really none needed replacing. Was the hot horn going off?? If not, then nothing should have to be done.

[Dave in Mpls]

Thanks for the feedback, guys

After he called, I loaded up with some tools and spare parts I had laying around and went over and installed a H2O pressure gauge in his boat. Pressure at idle is 7 lbs, which is actually great for that motor, so no initial harm done to the water pump. The overheat alarm never went off (1st question I asked him, after I was done giving him a little grief!) so no harm to the top end.

We're gonna take his mind off it tomorrow somewhere between Onamia, Isle, Malmo, and Garrison!

[Rippin_eyes]

Hey Dave,

Let us know how you do!! I'm heading up wednesday for a few days of rippin some eyes. good luck!!!

[tbomn]

Hey Dave,

While you were partying last weekend I was up on the mud. Was pretty productive. I had six fish, two 28 inchers, one 26, two 23's and a 21. The key was to stay on the edge with slow, long (6 ft.)snells, leeches took 5 of the 6, and a crawler for the other one.

Good luck, let me know how you do.

[Pitts]

Hey guys I am thinking of going this next weekend lets get together somewhere for some chatter.


Pitts

[Dave in Mpls]

Pitts-

I'll be up Friday night through Sunday. I'm staying at the Red Door, and plan on fishing the north end. I was out this past Sunday and, as Joe indicated, all our fish came off the deep edges of the mud on leeches. Let me know when your coming up and we'll make a plan to hook up.

[Rippin_Eyes]

If you guys want the pre weekend report email me with yoru phone number @ tikka22_250@hotmail.com I'll be up wednesday night through friday, then heading up to Gull for a bachalor party and some more fishing.

[Koldfront Kraig]

If you guys are meeting some where I'd be game.

What side of the lake and what channel on the radio?

I will probably have a seat open also.

[Dave in Mpls]

We'll just make it a regular 'ol fiesta! I'll be staying on the north end but have boat, will travel! Sounds like Grey Wolf will be up as well. We can meet on the lake or ??? I plan on fishing the mud, either pulling rigs on the edges or cranks on the tundra. Where will you be going out of?

[Koldfront Kraig]

Any side is cool with me. I can get skunked anywhere.

[tbomn]

Hey Dave,

I will be putting out of Mac's on Sat. moring around seven. Will start on Henn. Island, as I always do, then will trek to the mud. I will be on 68. Pitts will be up also. I will scream for you, keep your radio on.......this time,,hehehehe

[Rippin_Eyes]

Anyone going to be there on thurs or friday morning??? I'll be on the call channel 16.

[Dave in Mpls]

Sounds good, Joe

I'll be on the mud pretty much all day, so give me a shout when you head north! I think I'll be with Grey Wolf Saturday morning for a few hours before jumping into my boat. He monitors 72, so call me on 68, call me on 72, I'll call you on 69....I'll have my people get in touch with your people....we'll figure it out!!

[Dave in Mpls]

Plan on the north half. I'll be on ch 68 after 10 a.m. or so, along with TBO. I go by "The Judge".

[Dave in Mpls]

I'm starting a new thread on the General Discussion page for Saturday on Mille Lacs.