Hi, guys. As a newbie boat owner I learn something new every time I get out on the water. This weekend, a very nice gentleman helped me out of a bind and showed me a very helpful tip that I wanted to pass on to everyone else.

The problem I was having was that when I cranked my motor ('05 Mercury 50hp 2-stroke), no water would spit out of the water ejection port. I've only had my boat a couple weeks (bought it used), but I know enough to know that I should've had a steady stream of water coming out as an indication that my water pump was working and cirulating water through the motor to keep it from overheating. Well, I thought maybe there was just some air in the line and that if I tried again maybe the air would clear out and water would start pumping. So I tried shutting it off and cranking it a couple of more times, letting it run a few seconds each time. Still no water. I was afraid to run it anymore because it may overheat. I had made up my mind that there was a problem with my water pump and was about to load the boat back onto the trailer and head to the dealership to have it checked out when a very nice older gentleman approached in his boat. He said he had noticed me struggling with my motor and asked what the problem was. When I explained what was going on, he just smiled and said "I think I know what your problem might be and I happen to have a special tool that will fix you right up." After rummaging around in the bottom of his boat for a few seconds he produced a short, narrow red plastic straw.....something that looks like you would stir your coffee with. He stuck it in the water ejection port and tried pushing it in. At first, it wouldn't go. Then after gently pushing it in and out a couple of times, the straw went nearly all the way up inside the port. When he pulled it out, a dark liquid oozed out (looked like mud or gritty oil). He said for me to crank it again. When I did, viola! There was a steady stream of water pumping out and the motor was running like a champ.

He then explained to me that it is not uncommon for water lines to get clogged with sand and dirt around here. He said it happens quite often to his own motor and that is why he never leaves his dock without the tiny red straw. So not only was this gentleman nice enough to offer his help to a stranger on the water, he also salvaged my fishing trip and probably saved me a couple of hundred bucks in diagnostic fees from a mechanic. Not only that but he taught me something I didn't know about operating my boat which makes me more comfortable and confident as a boater.

And, oh by the way, that tiny red straw he used? It's the straw that comes taped to the side of a WD-40 can. Needless to say, as soon as I got home that afternoon, I rummaged around in my garage until I located a can of WD-40. I swiped the straw off the side of it and now it is stored in small tool kit I keep stowed under my seat in my boat.

It's nice to find helpful people on the water like that!  

ya i had heard about that hole getting clod up with mud dirt and other things,a friend of mine replace the pump and everything else until he realized what it was.................the inlet tube was the problem

Another way to fix this problem on the water especially when the lower unit is less accessible is to take off the cover, trace the water line up to the motor, take the rubber hose off the fitting and blow on it.  The mud/obstruction will shoot out the end, put it back on and off you go.

That has worked for me when I was ridding, ended up in shallow water and used the motor probably too much to get out.  Little easier from onboard the boat when in the water.

 In the Spring and early Summer, around here, a wasp (Dirt Daubers) are building nests. Had a friend testing his motor one Spring, no water from tube. Sure enough, used small piece of wire and it was the Dirt Daubers ...

skillet

I have had that situation with the Dirt Daubers also. especialy after a lengthy time of not using the outboard.

i like weed eater line. strong, but not too strong.

A) It's good you noticed the "pizzer" wasn't working.  That small observation probably saved you a major repair.

It was nice of the gentleman to help you out as he did.  I can't say enough good about that!