'89 3.0L Aplha One overheats at idle

[jthor3277]

Hello all. I own an '89 Ebbtide with a Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One stern drive. I took her out for the first time this season and it started to overheat about five minutes into heading out. Didn't notice it right away until I heard some sizzlin, cracklin coming from the engine compartment. I got smoke and boiling fuel from the Carb. Temp was around 230+ for a few seconds. I raised the lower unit and found some rubber chunks protruding from the water pump inlet. I am going to change the impeller tomorrow. Any chances that I have damaged the engine? Anything else you would look at to replace? Thanks for checking this out.

James

 

[dubs283]

Re: '89 3.0L Aplha One overheats at idle

you're probably not gonna be able to see any problems until you get the water pump repaired and the engine running properly

once you get that taken care of, run the motor for a while, under normal circumstances, check the oil and do a compression test

overheating an engine can cause head gasket problems and in severe cases a cracked head.

 

[cr2k]

Re: '89 3.0L Aplha One overheats at idle

Check the condition of the rubber hoses and connectors on your exhaust. If your motor ran dry they will burn out form the inside due to no cooling water.
Also check bands for tightness.

I would take off the drive end hose form the heat exchanger and see if there are any impeller pieces in there as well.

Important to jigsaw back together your old impeller to determine whats left floating around inside your cooling system.