4.3 l merc operating temp

[jmarty10]

Last night I noticed my temp gauge was creeping close to 180 on my 4.3l merc, alpha one. Thats the highest Ive seen. The gauge increments from 150-180. Most of the time its between 150-180 but when opening the throttle to about 3500 rpm it slightly crept to close to 180. The boat is two years old so the impellar was new last year. The other thing I noticed is with the heat wave in the northern chicago the river water was pretty warm.

Three questions:

1. Does the temp. of water have anything to do with boat operating temp?

2. What temp. is too hot for this engine?

3. When will the temp alarm sound on this type of engine?

Thanks.

 

[180shabah]

Re: 4.3 l merc operating temp

IIRC you have a 160* t-stat.

160-170* would be normal temp, But to answer your question, yes water temp will effect running temp. Just how warm is you water there?

We get mid/upper 80's by the end of the summer and my running temp starts approx 170 in the spring rises just shy of 180 in the summer and starts back down as we move into fall.

I would kep an eye on the temp, but if your not getting above 180, I wouldn't worry.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: 4.3 l merc operating temp

Oh it warm water. Probably in mid 70's. thanks for the response

 

[180shabah]

Re: 4.3 l merc operating temp

I guess the real question is what temp did it run at last year? If it ran a consistant 170, then keep an eye on it. If you are not sure about last year, then keep an eye on it, but you are not in panic territory yet.