Another Overheating Situation

[stevenhickeys]

Hello,

I picked up a StarCraft American 20 with a 165 Mercruiser and MC-1 outdrive. This boat has not been in the water for some time. I'm noticing the motor temp is going up above 180 while it is idling in my driveway with the muffs on after @ 10 minutes of running.

Over the winter I am having the seals changed in the O/D and will have the impeller replaced. Even though the impeller is old it does seem to pump water through the system.

I am hoping it is a stuck thermostat so when I get home from work, I will pull the thermostat and test it in some hot water.

Would it be advisable to run the motor w/o the thermostat to make sure the temp does not go up?

Thanks in advance for any information.

SH

 

[Bondo]

Re: Another Overheating Situation

Hello,

I picked up a StarCraft American 20 with a 165 Mercruiser and MC-1 outdrive. This boat has not been in the water for some time. I'm noticing the motor temp is going up above 180 while it is idling in my driveway with the muffs on after @ 10 minutes of running.

Over the winter I am having the seals changed in the O/D and will have the impeller replaced. Even though the impeller is old it does seem to pump water through the system.

I am hoping it is a stuck thermostat so when I get home from work, I will pull the thermostat and test it in some hot water.

Would it be advisable to run the motor w/o the thermostat to make sure the temp does not go up?

Thanks in advance for any information.

SH

Nope,.... Not til the Impeller is replaced,....

Replacin' the impeller is Always the 1st thing to do, in Any over-heat situation,...

 

[stevenhickeys]

Re: Another Overheating Situation

I forgot to mention that when my temp got above 180, I shut down the motor and changed the oil. The motor oil was hardly warm which confused me a little. I thought the oil would be coming out piping hot.

Any thoughts on that situation??

SH

 

[84EdH]

Re: Another Overheating Situation

180 is not that high. the only thing that was 180 degrees at shutdown is the water flowing around the temp sender. Block, manifolds, etc. not heated up yet. 5 quarts of oil takes a while to get hot.

 

[stevenhickeys]

Re: Another Overheating Situation

Thank you CPO for the explanation. I will get to replacing the impeller and test the thermostat before I do anymore messing around.

Unfortunately, up north here our "fixing" time is almost over.

I am constantly questioning how much longer I can keep my motor un-winterized while I am making some last minute repairs.

SH

 

[Bondo]

Re: Another Overheating Situation

Thank you CPO for the explanation. I will get to replacing the impeller and test the thermostat before I do anymore messing around.

Unfortunately, up north here our "fixing" time is almost over.

I am constantly questioning how much longer I can keep my motor un-winterized while I am making some last minute repairs.

SH

Ayuh,.... Just Drain it, 'n it don't matter,...

 

[alldodge]

Re: Another Overheating Situation

+1 agree, don't mess with it this year, drain and put to bed for now

 

[tazrig]

Re: Another Overheating Situation

Ayuh,.... Just Drain it, 'n it don't matter,...

+1 Drain it. It only takes one night of cold to make you wish overheating was your only problem!