High temp alarm went off-

jamminmaz

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 3, 2004
Messages
82
Good afternoon,<br /><br />I have a 72 Johnson 100 that has been the lake several times this year, pulled skiers etc. and never overheated.<br />I usually use the muffs when I run it in the driveway, but last night I put in a big Rubbermaid container with water level about to the cavitation plate and ran it. I ran it for about 2 minutes and didint see any water coming out the little holes and thought maybe the t-stat had to open or something first. Then, the high temp horn went off, i shut down within 2 seconds, and put the muffs on high within 10 seconds. (I heard a little sizzle when I feverishly crammed the muffs on) I stared it a few times with the muffs, and of course water comes out of the vents then, because of the pressure, and the water was hot, but about normal. <br />My question is this- Did i hurt the motor? or the impellar? I know the response may be "tear it apart and find out", but i kind of want to get a "gut" feeling, based on the way I described it from some of you seasoned experts. i guess maybe impellars cannot pull water up that high, and if i run it in a bucket again, i need it to be deeper? this time it was just barely to the cav plate.<br /><br />thanks for either easing my stress, or breaking my heart, but either way, thanks!
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: High temp alarm went off-

jamminmaz,<br /><br />The way you described it, you did not have enough water in the barrel. At idle,in a barrel, the exhaust creates a great deal of aeration in the water.<br /><br />If it doesn't overheat at the lake or on the muffs, it's probably OK. However, if you do not know the history of the water pump, it's time for a service.<br /><br />By the way, look closely at your spark plugs. If one, or more, looks clean, you probably popped a head gasket.
 

jamminmaz

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 3, 2004
Messages
82
Re: High temp alarm went off-

Holy crap,<br />you think i could have popped a head gasket that quickly?
 

funpilot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 15, 2004
Messages
358
Re: High temp alarm went off-

When was the last time you changed the impeller? That might answer your question about 'tearing it apart'.<br /><br />My gut feeling is that you caught it in time. About 10 years ago I seriously overworked my 1990 90hp helping to drag 'harvested' weeds off our lake. High temp horn, sizzle, the works. I got out of the weeds and let the engine come back to normal while running at idle.<br /><br />It has been running normally ever since.
 
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DJ

Guest
Re: High temp alarm went off-

You may or may not have. Just be aware to keep an eye on things. Don't woryy aboiut it, just keep on checking. Even if you did, it's an easy fix-cheap too.<br /><br />Pay particular attention to the top right cylinder. (as looking at the back of the engine from behind the boat.
 

funpilot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 15, 2004
Messages
358
Re: High temp alarm went off-

Sheesh...<br /><br />DJ answered while I was (I got sidetracked on the phone) I always defer to guys like him...<br /><br />By the way, checking your spark plugs for a cooked head gasket is easy. Replacing a head gasket is easy too.
 

funpilot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 15, 2004
Messages
358
Re: High temp alarm went off-

Sheesh Again!<br /><br />What is with you DJ... you keep saying what I'm typing? lol.
 

jamminmaz

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 3, 2004
Messages
82
Re: High temp alarm went off-

Alright, well I think that is more comforting than panic inducing. We'll see what happens at the lake. Would a blown head gasket reduce power or be more noisy, or something?
 

angus63

Captain
Joined
May 20, 2002
Messages
3,726
Re: High temp alarm went off-

Hard starting, bad idle, loss of top end, etc....
 

jamminmaz

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 3, 2004
Messages
82
Re: High temp alarm went off-

Thank you all, I REALLY appreciate your quick responses.
 
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