First time posting so here goes:
1994 200 HP Offshore model- I've owned since 1996, bought from a very good friend/neighbor who purchased it new in 1995, used a handful of times (maybe 6) before I bought. I know the history of the engine very well.
Motor has been used in salt and brackish water its entire life. Boat stays docked in shallow muddy creek and is constantly kicking up mud getting in and out of slip. Motor does not get flushed but does get new Thermostats, water pump, etc very frequently (at a minimum annually).
Motor has been slowly (over course of several years) been running hotter and hotter to the point alarm will now sound.
Last summer I tried "flushing" the engine with an acid wash for several hours but this only made the problem worse. I then removed the powerhead and dismantled as much of the motor as I could (without tearing down the actual block) searching for the culprit to no avail. Surprisingly I didn't find any blockages and everything looked better than I anticipated.
Today, (after installing new water pump kit and thermostats), I noticed that I get exhaust fumes out of the telltale as soon as I start the motor. I guessing the corrosion has finally broken through some where. My question, how can I test to find the leak?
For reference, once I start the motor, within one-two minutes the water in the telltale is too hot to hold you hand under (this is at idle on a hose). If I try to run the boat, it will overheat to alarm status within a half-mile at 4100 rpms.
Any quick easy way/area to check for compromised water passages?
Thanks in advance for your help and I am always impressed with the knowledge acquired on this site.
1994 200 HP Offshore model- I've owned since 1996, bought from a very good friend/neighbor who purchased it new in 1995, used a handful of times (maybe 6) before I bought. I know the history of the engine very well.
Motor has been used in salt and brackish water its entire life. Boat stays docked in shallow muddy creek and is constantly kicking up mud getting in and out of slip. Motor does not get flushed but does get new Thermostats, water pump, etc very frequently (at a minimum annually).
Motor has been slowly (over course of several years) been running hotter and hotter to the point alarm will now sound.
Last summer I tried "flushing" the engine with an acid wash for several hours but this only made the problem worse. I then removed the powerhead and dismantled as much of the motor as I could (without tearing down the actual block) searching for the culprit to no avail. Surprisingly I didn't find any blockages and everything looked better than I anticipated.
Today, (after installing new water pump kit and thermostats), I noticed that I get exhaust fumes out of the telltale as soon as I start the motor. I guessing the corrosion has finally broken through some where. My question, how can I test to find the leak?
For reference, once I start the motor, within one-two minutes the water in the telltale is too hot to hold you hand under (this is at idle on a hose). If I try to run the boat, it will overheat to alarm status within a half-mile at 4100 rpms.
Any quick easy way/area to check for compromised water passages?
Thanks in advance for your help and I am always impressed with the knowledge acquired on this site.