Fixing an outboard speedometer

[@BazDoggy]

Fantastic video fixed my 80ph Yamaha, no need to blow the tube out. Your guidance of how to find the blocked hole was excellent. Had only been blocked for 2 days but saved me an engineers visit / bill 👌👍🏻

[@bankshot3589]

Love that your Always dropping down some knowledge! Just bought my first boat in a 94 trophy and boy am I glad there are helpful you tubers out there like you! You’ve helped me navigate my boat in so many ways! Just wanted to thank you and keep up the good content! Cheers

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome. :)

[@chrisflemmich]

Thanks mate. I found the issue straight away. The air pipe had disconnected. You saved me $$

[@apachebill]

Thank you for helping me fix my speedo. I found that opening on my Mercury outboard. There was some grasslike material in the hole. I pulled it out and then about 1/2oz of water ran out. And I knew that was it. Good info.

[@shoalmanjim]

Thanks! I hit a stump at idle speed and my speedometer and economy readouts stoped. Now they flicker on for a minute and then off again. I examined the back of the outboard yesterday, and it had some bark stuck to it right where you described. Will clean the hole today.

[@shelbywilson114]

I learned something new today. I have a newly acquired carolina skiff. Checked the hose and it has two cracks and a hole. I will replace and see if my speedo works. Ty sir

[@TonyMontana-we1rs]

thanks man never noticed that hole for water to go through how fun to discover that thats how it works

[@stukeast4970]

Good job Stu - saved me more stress about wtf is broken now !

[@charlesbarfield5880]

Admitting this to be a very informative aspect of information. Just think all you need to learn something or gain experience is to browse now and again. Remember experience is a or can be a brutal teacher but, you do learn

[@ipatools2248]

Much appreciated, great service to humanity. That’s me🤗

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome. :)

[@WilliamBates-xk6mt]

will be cleaning this tube today your vids help often thanks

[@DangarMarine]

Hey William, glad to hear the vids have been helping you. Good luck with the speedo.

[@darcyirvine9444]

William Bates 0361 me too!

[@petermaehren9573]

Gonna give it go. Thanks for the tip

[@mattparker9630]

Great little vid helped me fix the problem on the Victoria River NT. THANKS!

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome Matt, glad the vid helped you. :)

[@danhummel84]

Thanks for this video, you saved my hundreds of dollars!

[@recoilrob4765]

Thanks from NY mate!

[@WillsGarage91]

Another one of the most common repairs I do. I usually use compressed air as well as the small drill bit.

[@DangarMarine]

+classicoutboards Hi Will, sounds like we go about it pretty much the same way then!

[@tomharrell1954]

Just what I needed thanks Stu your a lifesaver

[@DangarMarine]

Glad to help. :)

[@AussieAdventures2019]

Your videos are priceless. Thanks mate

[@davidholmes4225]

Another great video. Please keep them coming.

[@DangarMarine]

+David Holmes Thanks David, will do. Have quite a backlog of ideas to record yet!

[@faizalsallie5985]

Hi, thanks your videos is really simple and informative.

[@rikkiesix]

I think I watched almost all your videos, I really love your channel. It's a great way to learn about outboard motors. They always interested me and now that I found your channel I'm super happy :-) Keep up the good work Greetings from Belgium Erik

[@DangarMarine]

+rikkiesix Thanks Erik, glad your learning from the channel. I visited Belgium once. Beautiful country. :)

[@rikkiesix]

+Dangar Marine Glad you liked Belgium did you visit antwerp? :-) thats where I live

[@DangarMarine]

Unfortunately not, we were staying in Maastricht so went across to Lìege way.

[@rikkiesix]

+Dangar Marine Oh pity, maybe next time :-) Keep up the GREAT work Erik

[@bertfromnz9069]

Thanks Stu, very helpful

[@kieronr1]

Excellent video as usual.

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks mate! :)

[@travisaudet6414]

Great video. Just fixed my first spedo!

[@CaptCollier]

Thankyou! just what I needed to see

[@TheGjboz]

I can't believe you're wearing a U2 shirt to work on boats! Anyway, I just bought a fixer-upper boat and love your channel.

[@DangarMarine]

Yes, should be wearing a Dangar Marine shirt. ;) Glad the vids are helping you!

[@joecave7767]

I know its an old video but you saved me from buying a flash gps speedo which I can't afford right now :)

[@michaelcarton3299]

same here!!!!

[@Ramshackle6984]

I like the new intro. Great video as always.

[@DangarMarine]

+Seth Hoffman Thanks Seth, glad you like the intro. :)

[@dennisharrison3114]

My mercury 90hp was stopped up I used a drill bit and a wire and compressed air it was stopped up bad works good now and used pb blaster help loosen it up

[@DangarMarine]

Glad to hear you got it fixed up.

[@_noname617]

Awesome tip, thanks for sharing

[@stevenwilliams1497]

You are a legend mate!!

[@GarryThomassaltyreefers]

I really enjoy your Video's Sir. Thank you for sharing.

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome Gary, glad you like them. :)

[@GarryThomassaltyreefers]

Do you have an opinion on a 90HP mercury inboard Jetdrive?

[@DangarMarine]

Can't say I've ever used or serviced one. Boats around here are all small commuter outboards.

[@ronpowell2373]

One bit you touched on was split tube, That should be replaced as soon as possible or disconnect the tube from the gauge and pickup. A split will allow the air to escape and there fore the water to travel up the tube a lot further than normal. Usually the air in the tube gets compressed by the water pressure as you speed up, and then the air pressure expels the water in the tube as you slow down. The water in the tube only ever gets about 1m up the tube. If water gets to an electronic sensor as used in digital gauges, that could become an expensive repair as basically those sensors are only 'repair by replacement' items. Mechanical systems are more tolerant, but water in the bourden tube kills their accuracy ( what little they do have!) .

[@DangarMarine]

Good point about water damaging the sensor. Salt water does do anything any good!

[@nicholasbeets7759]

yup this is very true, its not too likely it will make it too the sensor but its likely to make it to the break in the hose and will leak out at high speeds

[@Joshdavies146]

Oh man air crash investigation was once my favourite show hahah

[@DangarMarine]

I used to watch heaps of it too. :)

[@robertalms7872]

Great video! Thanks

[@swampthing6400]

If I don't use a speedometer can i just disconnect the hose from the lower unit so its not just hanging there? thanks for your videos they have really helped me out!

[@hamythebeast835]

love your videos keep them coming !

[@DangarMarine]

+hamy thebeast (hamythebeast) Thanks Hamy, glad you're still enjoying them. :)

[@hamythebeast835]

+Dangar Marine and by the way that mic quality is brilliant !! its so clear

[@DangarMarine]

hamy thebeast I'm so glad to have that problem finally sorted. The GoPro was really terrible for audio.

[@adrianhaynes8098]

Thanks mate working a treat 👍

[@rbatten69]

Thank you! Exactly what I was looking for.

[@MrAlvinjesus]

Thanks for the video helped me alot

[@lefty940]

Thanks for this my speedo has always read zero on my yam 115 i assumed it has not been connected or something. i will have a look at mine now thanks

[@DangarMarine]

Good luck, hope it is the problem.

[@lefty940]

i will let you know if it works thanks

[@lefty940]

i checked it today and yes it was blocked up i poked the hole clear but it didnt have the pipes like the one you did so i didnt blow air through it. i will see if the speedo works next time i go out could be tomorrow

[@timkennedy326]

That was help for me thank you very much.......

[@leebatt7964]

I had a kencraft cc that had a little paddle wheel mounted on the bottom edge of the transom that sent a signal to my speedo. When i got a garmin with gps several years later the two speed values were always within 1 or 2 mph of each other. Not bad considering that little wheel was 20 years old and spent each summer submerged as my boat was kept in a slip.

[@DangarMarine]

It does amaze me how accurate those paddle wheels are given the technology.

[@ehietpas07]

Great video

[@markdavis3930]

Very helpful as always!!!

[@DangarMarine]

+Mark Davis Thanks Mark! Always appreciate your support. :)

[@modi8848]

Thanks dear you help me a lot

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome. :)

[@vicmilanski9582]

Thank you, Dangar. You save me $500

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome, great to here. :)

[@AliKhan-dx7lc]

Thanks OG

[@andywalter4467]

Thanks mate..another great video.This is what was wrong with mine. Now I just need you to do a video on how to get a broken drill bit out of the aperture lol. Andy

[@DangarMarine]

Doh! A bit of compressed air from the other side will probably get it shooting out so just don't stand in front of it! ;)

[@andywalter4467]

Thanks for the reply mate.I sprayed lanolin down the line before I blew it out,I think it worked. It's a Yamaha 100f.The bit snapped off flush and after I blew it out the air and lanolin was coming out fine but I could only get the new bit to go in about 25-30mm.Thanks for the great vids. Andy

[@ibrahimokur4538]

Hi do have any idea for Tohatsu 50 Hp same speed wacuum point?Thanks for your help

[@tarzanbaby6473]

If my motor dosnt have a hole?? Evenrude 115 2000 model?? I have purchased this motor and wiring up the guages now but can't work out a few wires and mph gauge...could it be electronic type motor sensor reading mph

[@briananderson7749]

What are the drops of fluid that come out of the hole while you are drilling? The hole on my outboard continues to drip gear oil, very slowly, out of this hole.

[@Bo-uw5ye]

OUTSTANDING............

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks Bo!

[@cdslaughter1974]

Thank you so so much!

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome!

[@johnbladykas4454]

Nice video

[@DangarMarine]

Thanks John.

[@jncunliffe]

Hi, first off, you're a star...! Every single one of your videos has help me either fix a problem I've had or help me understand more about how my outboard works. What a great resource and thank you for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge with us all. One problem I'm having, related to his video is that I just can't clear my speedo tube. The blockage in the the lower unit. I've drilled as far as I dare into the pilot hole and done a similar thing from the top of the leg where the flexible tube connects, before I started this was TOTALLY blocked with a compacted white powder, I'm guessing an oxide of aluminium. The two tubes just don't seem to meet, which of course they do. Have you come across this symptom before? I've tried to dissolve what could be lurking at the join of the tubes with vinegar just as a stab in the drake but to no avail. Any ideas? Cheers and thanks again, Jonathan P.S. I have a Suzuki DT100 MY1990.

[@DangarMarine]

I would try taking the gearbox off and then clearing the tube from the top of the gearbox down. That way you can also check whether the blockage is in that section or the tube down through the leg.

[@Oo7Hola]

Same here. His time dedicated to helping others is definitely appreciated. Wishing you luck health and fortune in life

[@coopw101]

Fixed Thanks Bro!!!

[@DangarMarine]

Nice one! :)

[@keonfrederic1857]

Thank you so much for doing this. Very helpful!! Cheers

[@DangarMarine]

+Keon Frederic No problem, glad it helped you!

[@movietime111]

forgot to reattach tube to gauge when having bezel replaced, will the water come up that tube and pour into cockpit now?

[@DangarMarine]

It could migrate along with no air pressure to push against, but it would be a very small quantity I would imagine.

[@movietime111]

thanks. I've read stories about water spaying out of these tubes so hopefully when I open helm today there's not much salt water sprayed all over my wiring :(

[@fierymiz9864]

Hi, I have a mercury with the same system and where the small tube connects to the bottom of the leg, the plastic tubing has broken off inside the fitting. Do you know what its called or where I could get one? Mariner 1999 175hp 2 stroke.

[@Mdrew9]

Followed this and broke a bit off, it must have been weakened. Any tips to get it out?

[@jackalcat5425]

I did clean the pitot tube on the lower unit but speedo still does not work. How can I check the tube that runs from the pitot tube to the speedo itself?;

[@martincombrinck5547]

Is there a gearbox vent in outboard gearbox ?

[@darrolcraik1897]

STU,Please help me understand the purpose of the 3 holes drilled around the leg casing shift rod cavity on a yamaha 9.9 LEH. These are open to water ingress around the shift rod, WHY ? Thanks, Darrol

[@DangarMarine]

They are to let water drain out again so it doesn't expand and crack the casing in freezing weather.

[@sjv7501r]

Hi Dangar Marine..now istarted to watch ur video and it help afew of my problem..thanks alot..i need advice from u..now i having problem with my yamaha 60hp 4 stroke..i replaced a new impeller on the lower arm and plug in the speedometer hose to assembled back..after the lower fixed..the outboard running smooth but when i tried eccelerate my outboard and pushed more than 34mph..suddenly a choking or sound like misfire appeared..i got no idea what happened..any tips..tq

[@DangarMarine]

I could be many things, but it doesn't sound related to your impeller change.

[@sjv7501r]

Its ok..i been informed by yamaha mechanic.. suspected due to cavitation.

[@clarencenaude6863]

Hi Stu, I'm just across the ditch, love watching your instructional videos, could you please indicate where the pressure tube for the speedo reading is on a Johnson 90hp 1985 model, can't seem to locate the water inlet oriface.

[@fabiansosa5318]

Great video once again mate.Just a quick question,what are your thoughts on running slightly hotter plugs on my yamaha 30hp cv to help with fouling plugs that I've mentioned before.Im running br8hs-10 ngk,s and am thinking of going to a hotter plug like the br7hs-10.I tried pumping the primer as discussed with no marked difference and have checked the thermostat and fuel pump is working correctly and clean. Thanks mate and if you'd know the mixture settings for the carby it would be appreciated as I don't have a service manual as yet.

[@DangarMarine]

+Fabian Sosa Personally I always feel that there needs to be something wrong with the motor to vary from manufacturer's recommendation. Dropping to a 7 isn't going to hurt to try through, but if it is better is will be compensating for something that has varied from the factory configuration. Those people in the factory know what they are doing! Generally with regards to mixture screws you turn them all the way in and then back out three half turns to get to a default position. You can tweak from there based on how they respond. Really must do a vid on this soon!

[@fabiansosa5318]

Thanks Mate,will give the 7,s a go and see how it goes.Look forward to the next video of yours. Cheers.

[@NorthFloridaMan]

Thank you I dint have thus problem but I'm sure some people do

[@DangarMarine]

+Pablo Oliva Yeah, it is pretty common. Now if it does ever happen to you, you will know how to fix it straight away. ;)

[@TuCamoteCuh]

What about a 150 mercury with a nose cone low water pick up kit does it still apply has it been covered up by the kit

[@DangarMarine]

Not sure, I've never seen one.

[@TuCamoteCuh]

Dangar Marine oh okay I'll just buy a manual but your videos are awesome im a new boater and it hasn't seen a Mechanic thanks to you 👍

[@Scott-hb1xn]

Better to blow from the fed end back- not through the pitot port forward... Any crap gets blown back out through the hole, rather than through the length of the hose... And THAT is how you clear a blocked pitot in an aircraft...

[@billcatlin1967]

So, here's a dad joke. In the U.S. "Dang!" is a euphemism for "Damn!" Well, I propose that Dangar is apt because every time I watch a video, I'm like "Dang that guy is so good!" So, someone who prompts a lot of "Dangs!" must be a Dangar! Just sayin'

[@nickskerrett5240]

Love your work mate. Will this particular fix help with a speedometer that is constantly reading incorrectly in that rather than reading zero, it always reads 45kmh. Any suggestions also welcome. Keep up the good work, love all your tips.

[@DangarMarine]

It's hard to say for sure but it would certainly be a good place to start.

[@steveh6450]

Could this also be the cause of not registering at low speeds (under 10-15 knots shows 0) anything over works but is a little off compared to GPS. Another great vid, thanks!!

[@DangarMarine]

+steve hilton Yep, certainly could. Having said that, this style of speedo isn't super accurate, but any dirt at all will affect its results.

[@ronpowell2373]

Most of the mechanical speedos will not read anything below about 20% of their full range reading. So if your speedo is a 0 to 50MPH unit it can be expected to not read , or be wildly inaccurate, at 10mph or less. Electronic indicating speedos still use a pressure sensor and have a low speed dead band. As electronic gauges can be calibrated to the much lower pressure available at low speeds , these gauges will be more accurate at low speeds. As an example- my Stewart Warner 0-50Mph (1975 vintage) does not indicate anything until 15 psi of pressure is applied( 12Mph) , 20psi=20Mph, 40psi = 35Mph, 60psi= 48Mph, nearly 70psi gets it to 50Mph. The accuracy measured against a GPS is woeful, up to 10% , but that is just a mechanical gauge for you.

[@noelohalloran5868]

I need help connecting the signal wire of a tachometer to a Suzuki 25hp 3 cylinder, 3 coil, 4 stroke outboard. Any help would be great, Thank you

[@DangarMarine]

Hi Noel, I haven't done one on a Suzuki, but I have just bought a tacho to put in the Green Machine and I'll be doing a vid on it soon. The instructions cover all brands so I'll see what they say.

[@noelohalloran5868]

Dangar Marine Thank you Sir,

[@jcbenson01]

Thank you for the video. One question, what is the theory/operation when a boat has two outboards? Does only one motor have this speedo port? In other words, how does the gauge get its readings with twins?

[@DangarMarine]

Generally they just pick up the tube from one outboard to run the speedo, the other does nothing. I

[@jcbenson01]

Dangar Marine roger that. Thank you.

[@jcr7749]

I have Mercury 90hp 3cyl 2 strokes, can you tell me the length of the drill I should use? I tried with a wire and it does not enter more than a centimeter. Greetings from Portugal.

[@DangarMarine]

It doesn't have to go in too far. If you do it by hand you should be able to feel when it hits the back of the tube. It is generally only a about 2 cm.

[@985live]

When I put ear muffs on mines and crank it the water shoots out the back. Is that normal?

[@jonblair5470]

Does this work on a 2000 Johnson 90hp ocean pro??

[@styga1969]

My tube is missing. Do I have to drop the drive to access it? The hole is there but I don’t see a tube or hose going up the motor.

[@DangarMarine]

Yes, it attaches to a barb on the top of the gearbox so you'll need to drop that off to attach a new one.

[@styga1969]

Dangar Marine thanks man. Appreciate you taking the time to answer my Q ..

[@pelletpower]

My f50 runs fine in neutral, as soon as it is put in gear it stalls?? Any ideas maye.

[@DangarMarine]

+pelletpower Could be a number of things. If a motor is running very weakly then it may not have the strength to drive the propeller without stalling. It could also be that the gearbox is having issues and the shaft is seized up (or at least stiff) so when you engage a gear it stalls out the engine. I would do a bit of an engine health check: compression test, check for spark on all cylinders, water in fuel etc and also check the oil in the gearbox. If there isn't much oil in, or the oil is pale and milky with water in it then that might point to a gearbox problem.

[@pelletpower]

+Dangar Marine thanks pal, gives me a few places to start. I watched the video you did on the repairs on the trim motor and tried that as mine was working then Stopped. Unfortunately it didn't solve the issue and it only seems to work if I tap the trim Moyer with something whilst pressing the button lol!! I'll have to order a new motor I reckon.

[@DangarMarine]

Did you try installing new brushes in the motor?

[@pelletpower]

+Dangar Marine no mate, I cleaned it all up and put it back with no joy so was going to order a new motor.

[@DangarMarine]

Not a bad option. If you hunt around for an after market one you will get it for a good price.

[@jarretmoore3858]

Is this the same on a 40 horse power Mercury

[@xuxothao7199]

For the 1989 Johnson vro 140 2 stroke I can’t fine the hole. Does my motor have one let me know thanks

[@lce92493]

Broke my drillbit off in the hole. Any recommendation for that?

[@DangarMarine]

Try blowing it out with compressed air from the other side.

[@johntripp2028]

Thanks

[@DangarMarine]

You're welcome, John.

[@johnlowe8418]

Mines munted forever, someone broke a drill bit off inside, atleast that's what it i believe happened.

[@DangarMarine]

Oh dear, that is hard to fix...

[@svzigzag5898]

Yeah

[@bengearhart4613]

Question for anyone smarter than me: the speedometer on my boat works but only when i'm traveling faster than 15mph. The needle on the gauge stops at 15 and won't read anything lower than that making it hard to be lawful in idle speed or speed zones around the marinas. Anyone know why this happens and how to fix this problem?

[@kaosaephan6303]

Good info. I broke a drill bit in the hole and now I can't get it out 😢 any tips or tricks to get out? Thanks.

[@DangarMarine]

Bummer. I would start by sparking a bit of WD40 or something in there to try to lubricate it and then use compressed air from the other side.

[@frankjohnson8750]

Ok dude, that's not why mine isn't working! Someone (let's not talk about who...) broke the gear gearcase speedometer hose connector when removing the gear case. The connector is broken off @ or slightly below the matting surface where its screwed into the case. I've tried to unscrew the broken plastic connector, to no avail. Is my only option now to try and melt it out? Maybe there is some sort of tool I can drive into the plastic and ease it (unscrew)out? Do I drill it out and retap for a connector the next size up? Surely I'm not the ONLY bonehead to have ever done this....! Bah P.S. Mine is a 115TLRY / 2000 Yamaha 115hp 2 stroke If it too much trouble to repair and I decide 'forget it, it's not worth the trouble'. Then should I plug up the small hole in the gearcase? Maybe some silicon calk or something, so outside water doesn't get in through speedo pickup...Probably not a bad idea, huh? By the way your vids are awesome indeed. Thanks! I'm a subscriber :-) You shed light on the mysterious grey 'box' that is my Yamaha outboard and eliminate my fears of accomplishing my own repairs! Thank you, YOU ARE THE MAN!

[@vincentmoues9948]

U2 always +1 ;)

[@DangarMarine]

What fine taste you have. ;)

[@stevencox75]

had a rat chew through mine under the dash

[@ahmedbinateeq2832]

👌👌

[@GradyWhite2007]

Or slap a GPS on the boat...and you'll see where you are, where you've been, how fast you are going, water temp, volts the motor is generating to the batteries....On and on. Great vid though...Thanks..

[@DangarMarine]

Yes, you can't go wrong with a GPS these days.