Wind has been 20-25mph all week
The water pump is usually OK if telltale squirts at idle. Yes the stream is considerably weaker at idle then at running speends. 160 degrees is OK for operating temp as well. Sounds like your motor is running as it should.Actually the cooling system gauge that works well for outboards is a water pressure gauge rather than a temp gauge. You will see a clog or cooling system problem quicker with a water pressure gauge that with a temp gauge. Damage is often done by the time the temp gauge goes high. http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... 239&aID=19A V-6 Mercury with a good water pump runs about 5 psi at idle. There is a port on the engine block that allows a hose to be connected to show water jacket pressure - the hose then connects to the pressure gauge.