3.0l mercruiser temp. gauge not working help!!

jonoman69

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 5, 2008
Messages
81
Hi I have a 1999 bayliner with a 3.0l merc in it. I cant seem to get a proper reading out of my temp guage. At first I didnt seem to get anything, so I checked the gauge itself. I found there was a loose wire, fixed it, then checked it. Wouldnt go up all the way at first, but after grounding out the wire a few times it worked its way up and now maxs out no problem and seems to move smooth without sticking. I had the boat out for a rip but the temp gauge only is reading 120, and the motor deffiantly should have been up to running temp. Im not exactly sure where to go from here. I understand the next step is either the sending unit, or the thermostat. Which do I check first and how? thanks
 

cr2k

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: 3.0l mercruiser temp. gauge not working help!!

120 is probably as close as you will get. The thermo is 140 and cold and hot water mix near there. If it is working you have a Norm to compare to.
The only thing less accurate then a temp gauge in a boat is the speedo.

Of course if someone replaced the thermo gasket with one with no brass grommets you may have a ground issue.
 

alilley

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 7, 2010
Messages
327
Re: 3.0l mercruiser temp. gauge not working help!!

i would find a new sending unit here in iboat (they do offer this great thread at no cost to us as well as the wealth of knowledge that comes with it) if that dont do it then goto the t stat since it will require more work
 

jonoman69

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 5, 2008
Messages
81
Re: 3.0l mercruiser temp. gauge not working help!!

Well when I had the boat out it was in salt water, which is still pretty could this time of year in nova scotia. The temp gauge stayed at 120 the whole run pretty much, but after I had brought it out of the water, after about 5 min, I turn the key to the on position to see something and noticed that the gauge was reading slightly higher, so should I just leave it for now and see if it changes, perhaps it was just that the water was cold enough to keep it down???
 

IES99

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 3, 2008
Messages
271
Re: 3.0l mercruiser temp. gauge not working help!!

If you are running it in cold water, I don't think you have a problem. Best of luck,

Ed
 
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