1989 VIP 2.3L OMC Overheating and Shifting problems

[aolsen]

I had some overheating issues with my motor at the lake so i put a new water pump in it the old one was shot. I put it on muffs tonight and it still wanted to get to 190+ so i am assuming that there is foreign material in the block/manifolds? Is there an easy way to flush the block and manifolds. Also i had problems with it shifting into Reverse at the lake. I ran it tonight and it wouldn't even go into reverse or forward and if it did i could stop the prop with my foot, is this an adjustment problem? I was looking into purchasing a factory OMC cobra Service Manual but i haven't got the numbers off of my motor and outdrive to match the manual or would any 1989 OMC Cobra service manual work?

 

[dubs283]

Re: 1989 VIP 2.3L OMC Overheating and Shifting problems

med/mef omc factory manual, this covers all 1989 omc cobra engines and drives

did you find ALL the pieces from the bad impeller? could be some of them got sucked into the water inlet hose/coolers. need to check from drive to t-stat hsg for all foreign material in water inlet hose.

shifting could be an adjustment problem but if you are having problems in fwd and rev, probably time for a new lower shift cable (not fun to do on omc cobras)

 

[danond]

Re: 1989 VIP 2.3L OMC Overheating and Shifting problems

Lower shift cables are easy on Cobras. Takes a couple hours and you're done. Follow the manual and it'll work fine.

Link to the manual for your drive:

Click Here

 

[aolsen]

Re: 1989 VIP 2.3L OMC Overheating and Shifting problems

Well there were no peices missing on the impeller it just spun the stainless cage in the plastic houseing and more like melted the impellar cuz it didn't get water. But i thought i heard somewhere that there was an actual flushing tool but i could be wrong. I was looking at a med/mef manual on ebay for $50 I also did stick a new thermostat in it last fall. If there is sediment in the block what would be the best way to get that out, take the hoses off and put the garden hose in it or pressure washer.

 

[dubs283]

Re: 1989 VIP 2.3L OMC Overheating and Shifting problems

oh yeah!! i was thinking of the shift cable tube, now that is a pain. just shift cable, no problem

 

[aolsen]

Re: 1989 VIP 2.3L OMC Overheating and Shifting problems

I'm not to familiar with boats where does the shift cable tube go from motor to outdrive or motor fwd to the shifter? Is that somthing i could tackle myself? i have experience from jets to industrial equipment i haven't ever done much with boats this is actually my first boat but i have been around them quite a bit just not mechanically.

 

[tracerrose]

Re: 1989 VIP 2.3L OMC Overheating and Shifting problems

Thanks for posting that manual. We just got to fix this same cable and it helped a lot.