Testing a 1979 Johnson 9.9 with muffs before using, water comes out of the idle holes but water from the tube is very hot, spits. Is there a grommet in the head which might prevent flow of water?

Nothing worse than flapping sidecovers or loose parts on your motorcycle! Especially if you have ruined the rubber retaining grommet yourself.

Removing RUBBER grommets of any age without undue damage, can be achieved by heating the grommet from both sides (if possible).

Use a heat gun or even a handheld hairdryer with a nozzle, to heat the grommet to a temperature of about 50 degrees celsius or 125 Fahrenhiet or as hot as your fingers can hold comfortably.

Whilst hot, push BOTH edges of flange towards centre of hole until BOTH edges are clear of inner diameter of hole on the part. Push through to the clear side from this edge you have distorted inwards, working around in both directions simutaneously.

To replace them afterwards, submerge in hot water until hot and squeeze together from edges to form an oval. Insert an end into place and then feed each side in simultaneously. A light smear of liquid detergent will facilitate this, but is slippery on the fingers too. No need to use tools, they will detroy them! Cheers.



Grommets big and small, don't have to be cut or torn to get them off anymore!