How hot can my motor get?

[Reg312]

As a new boater with an older boat, I'm getting to know the boats / motor quirks. Most of them operator error.

I have a mid 70's Merc 115. We were doing this weekend. Motor ran great but I did notice the cover was quite warm to hot but not sizzling hot. Temps outside were low 90's with a buttload of humidity. This is Missouri. I don't know if water temp maters, but I believe it was about 84.

So how hot should the cover get???? Like i said, motor ran great and looked like pump was operating normal.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: How hot can my motor get?

How hot does your car get sitting in the sun?

Pretty hot.

As far as the motor goes, as long as the water is flowing out the squirt hole it's probably going to be fine.

 

[Reg312]

Re: How hot can my motor get?

Thats what I kinda thought. But better safe than sorry.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How hot can my motor get?

Those inline motors do not have a thermostat. The cooling system is designed to keep them just cool enough, under normal use. If the impeller is damaged or the motor is overloaded, they will overheat and cause great damage to the pistons and cylinders.

They should run dead cold at idle and warmer at speed. You can tell how they are cooling, to a degree, by putting your hand on the port side exhaust cover. You must remove the wrap cowl to get to it.