Cold Water Temps?

beermunk

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2004
Messages
146
Mercruiser 3.0L w/ Alpha 1 I/0, 2004 model.

Last time out on the water I noticed my temps never got up into the 160f range. Stayed in the 140 range. River water at that time was in the high 40's. I just got it back from the shop where they put in a new driveshaft seal and hooked it up to the muffs. Started and ran for about 10 min at idle speed and the temp gauge never went above 120F. I was using well water which is extremely cold, 52.6F according to my calibrated thermometer, on the muffs.

I took the drain hoses off and the water that came out was hardly hot, I could easily run my hands through it. Is this just an issue running this engine with such cold water? Or is there something else I should look for?

Also, the grand a55hat masters at this repair shop told me they filled lower unit up with driveshaft lube. When I got there though the reserve bottle was empty. I asked them WTF and they dumped two pints into the res and that brought it up to the line. I unscrewed the lower vent drain screw and fluid came out right away so was the empty reserve just a fluke or is there a big air bubble in my drive somewhere??
 

danond

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
1,118
Re: Cold Water Temps?

Mine gets up to temp, even on super cold hose water.
 

beermunk

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2004
Messages
146
Re: Cold Water Temps?

I took off the cover of the thermostat housing but it looks like there's a gasket there so I stopped. Are these easy to change out?

Take the old thermostat and gasket out, put the new ones in, right? Do I need to use any liquid gasket glue to get it to stay watertight?
 

danond

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
1,118
Re: Cold Water Temps?

Check the ADULTS ONLY sticky at the top of this forum. There's a link to a factory service manual that'll guide you through it, step by step.
 

beermunk

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2004
Messages
146
Re: Cold Water Temps?

Check the ADULTS ONLY sticky at the top of this forum. There's a link to a factory service manual that'll guide you through it, step by step.

Thanks I found the manual but there's no diagrams or other steps besides, "take off cover, take out thermosister, check, replace if necessary."
 

beermunk

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 20, 2004
Messages
146
Re: Cold Water Temps?

What's the trick to getting that plastic housing out that holds the thermostat in?
 
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