Mercury 150 hp tell tail question

[ht43]

I just bought a boat with a 88 mercury 150 hp black max xr4 outboard motor. I've only started it twice, both times I started it it made me nervous how long it took for water to start coming out of the tell tail. Maybe 20 to 30 seconds. Is that normal or is something not working right?
Thanks, Rob

 

[racerone]

Simple----A " new to you motor " needs a new water pump impeller.---It is considered a good practice.

 

[Docksidemarineservices]

They do take up to a minute to start pumping water from the pisser.

 

[ChannelCat]

I thinkbthis engine has a thermostat on the tell take line, if you take the ceiling off and follow the tell take home you should see it cones from a thermostat.

 

[ht43]

Thanks for the info!