225 ficht overheat

[tylerr83]

i have a 99 ficht 225 that overheated yesterday. this was the first time i've had this issue. it happens only at 3000 plus rpms. i can idle it or run up to 1500 to 1800 without the alarm sounding. it does seem that the stbd side of the motor is running warmer than the port side when i'm idling in my slip but neither is overly hot. both thermostats are good. i blew through all the cooling lines i could find leading to the heads and to the emm in both directions. couldnt find any obstructions. it has a very strong pee stream....no different than it was before i had the problem. should i drop the lower unit and replace the impeller? is there another place i should be looking for a blockage? i also removed the valve where the water comes from the block that feeds the heads and found nothing there either. i'd think if there was a blockage in the main water tube then i would get weak pee stream?
any ideas?

 

[R1racer]

Re: 225 ficht overheat

Does it run above 1800 RPM at all..?

 

[Haffiman]

Re: 225 ficht overheat

That engine should have impeller changed every 2-3 years.
If impeller gets 'hard' and looses flexibility, the higher the RPM, the less capacity.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 225 ficht overheat

Replace the impeller,wear plate and gasket, if it still does it check the following as the 99 needs the updates if not already done.
1) Plastic water deflectors break in block (part #345119) Replace with 3/16 fuel line
2) T-stats are installed correctly(upside down with spring on top and seal ring on stat)
3) Water restrictor pins installed in t-stat area,these are 3/16 pins that restrict bleed water into head.
4) Correct head gaskets(dont have the .020 bleed hole in gasket) but this is to make engine run warmer. If it runs to cold it will soot up...

 

[tylerr83]

Re: 225 ficht overheat

it does run over 1800 rpm, but after 30 seconds or so, the water temp alarm comes on. i think the impeller is 2 years old, so it probably should be changed.....i kinda assumed because of the suddenness of this issue that i was caused by a blockage somewhere. the tstats are fine and installed correctly, as is the water deflector. i guess replaceing the impleller is the logical next step, i'm just concerned there is a blockage in the water jackets.