88 spl enough water output?

[mturnerua]

New member and first time boat owner here. I just purchased a 1988 Sweetwater with a 88 spl and I want to know if it looks like there is enough cooling water coming out. I've posted a short video on the link below. This is at idle and I know some motors have more of a mist than a steady stream but I'm just not sure if it looks normal. Due to the weather I've only been able to to use it a few minutes in open water and it seemed to run just fine. It doesn't have any temp gauges but I assume the overheat alarm is working. Let me know what you guys think.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/au7oj0lvwkyxad7/Video%20Mar%2030%2C%203%2035%2028%20PM.mov

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 88 spl enough water output?

Looks like your engine is getting plenty of cooling water-that's strong water flow in your video. Two things about that cooling system: 1. You should get a strong, steady water stream from the telltale. That indicates the water pump is pumping. From your video, I don't see any water flowing from the telltale nozzle in the lower starboard cowling. I wouldn't worry, though, based the next point. The telltale nozzle and feeder hose lines can plug with dirt, debris. You just need to clean the lines/nozzle out. 2. After the engine warms up a little, (maybe 1 minute) the two thermostats will open and then you'll get the strong mist/water coming from the two relief ports-in your video. These ports are at the end of the powerhead cooling system, so if they are dumping water/mist, your powerhead has plenty. If you get the boat running at speed through the water, you'll see even more water out of those two relief ports. Always nice to know the overheat horn works. You can ground out the two wires that go to the cyl head temp switches. When you do that on each of them, the hot horn should sound.

 

[cr2k]

Re: 88 spl enough water output?

New boat? when was your impeller done last? If you don't know it's time to do it. Cheap insurance against burning up an engine.

 

[mturnerua]

Re: 88 spl enough water output?

New boat? when was your impeller done last? If you don't know it's time to do it. Cheap insurance against burning up an engine.

I have no idea when it was changed last. I'll replace it when I pull it out of the water in a couple of weeks to change the lower unit oil. I've seen the kits part number OEM 434421 or Sierra 18-3392 that I believe that looks like everything I would need. Is it fairly simple to install and is there anything to look for while doing it? In general would you recommend the Sierra or Mallory brand? Thanks

 

[mturnerua]

Re: 88 spl enough water output?

Update. So I got to take it out for about 45 minutes of crusing and recorded this video as soon as I got back. As you can see it has about the same output as it did cold. As we took it to high idle you can see the air bubble up from below, is this normal? I did take the cover off and I was able to touch the cylinder head with my hand so I don't think it was overheating.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2i9r6s3772ktl75/Video%20Mar%2031%2C%204%2051%2031%20PM.mov


Also I would like to test the hot horn to make sure it's working can anyone show me which wire to ground from this picture?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/bktvh2hscgs3uwb/Photo%20Mar%2030%2C%203%2027%2052%20PM.jpg

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: 88 spl enough water output?

You can see the temperature switch on the factory exploded parts diagrams. Check out epc.brp.com and search for your year engine. The cyl head temp switches are on the "cylinder and crankcase" parts diagram and have a knife connector hidden under a rubber sleeve right along each head.