2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

[AUEE97]

While cruising the other day at 4000RPM, port motor overheat light came on. I slowed motor, turned it off, looked for obstructions, etc. Finding nothing, I cranked her back up, good water stream/pressure and no overheat light. slowly took back off and didn't have another problem. Once back in the yard, I took the cover off and discovered that the bottom plug on the starboard side was really loose and oil had sprayed everywhere. All other plugs were tight and clean. Guess I didn't torque that one plug correctly at the beginning of the year. However, can a loose plug cause an overheat condition? I hooked the motor to my palm pilot and software stated that max engine temp was 190 and max emm temp was 159. Are those temperatures in the overheat range? Thanks for the help. Just wondering if I need to check other things?? Jason

 

[imported_lorin]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

A loose plug can cause overheating. That is because the spark plug is an important path for heat to be to be dissipated from the cylinder.

 

[ob]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

I recommend having all of the plugs idexed.

 

[bigtwin]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

A loose plug can cause a lean fuel mixture (a small amount of air can leak around the plug into the cumbustion chamber, and it dosn't take much) The lean mixture usually resaults in a misfire, however if there is cumbustion, the excess oxygen will cause a much hotter burn. it is just like turning up the oxygen on an acetylene torch. It would be wise to check the plug for aluminum throw off (sometimes called metal transfer) caused by high cumbustion temps. A compression test may be in order too. good luck!

 

[F_R]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

A loose plug will not transfer heat from the plug to the cylinder head. Therefor the plug gets extra hot. When that happens, it can cause pre-ignition, which will overheat the engine at best and melt the piston at worst. That would be the aluminum splatter someone mentioned.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

You have a 6 year old engine there. When was the last time all 3 thermostats (yes, 3 of them) were changed, or at least cleaned and checked? There is a pressure relief valve that should be inspected from time to time, and the water pump should be changed at least every 3 years. Blow out the hoses and inspect the water tube that cools the engine computer also.

 

[AUEE97]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

Thank you guys so much. I looked the plug over and it does not appear to have any aluminum or "metal splatter"...just looked very dark from burnt oil.(I assume). What a costly mistake this could have been. I had the local dealer change all 3 thermostats at the beginning of this summer. Also had the starboard computer give out, so I had a chance to inspect/flush the water hoses feeding the computers. Need to check the pressure relief valve asap. Complete water pump kits were installed last year. Get about 15PSi on starboard engine and 10PSI on port engine at 4000RPM's. Seems about right but not sure about the accuracy of the stock Mako analog gauges. Thanks again and I hope everyone learns a lesson about properly torquing spark plugs...I know I did. Jason

 

[dick reaves]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

What is the proper torque for spark plugs?

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

What is the proper torque for spark plugs?

What motor? make, model and year, please.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

For proper torque/index on a Ficht Engine,take a look at BOATSETUP.COM.

DHP

 

[dick reaves]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

What is the proper torque for spark plugs?

What motor? make, model and year, please.

1977 Evinrude 140hp

 

[seahorse5]

Re: 2001 Ficht 175. Can loose plug cause overheating?

What is the proper torque for spark plugs?

What motor? make, model and year, please.

1977 Evinrude 140hp

18-20 ft-lbs.