Help with cooling issue, please.

[IcantDo55]

Here is the question. I have a 1995 Sea-Pro with a 3.0 LX and a Alpha 1 Gen II IO. <br />Parts newly replaced are:<br /><br />-Circulator pump<br />-Thermostat 140*<br />-Full tune up<br /><br /> When I got the boat it had no thermostat installed? When I ran it on the hose the temperature gauge did not even register on the gauge (gauge started at 120*). So I installed a 140* thermostat and while running on the hose it ran 140* on the gauge…great. Put it in the water today and a few hundred yards from the dock the temp rose over 200* I shut it down and coasted to shore.<br /> <br />I let it cool and removed the thermostat and went back out on the water and at cruising speed it barely made it to 120* on the gauge. Wide open it was at 130*. Other than that seemed to run good. Ran it for 3 hours. <br /><br />What’s wrong with it? It runs with no thermostat but not with one. I checked the thermostat when I got home and it opens at 140* like it should. My thoughts is that the water pump in the out-drive is shot and only cooled on the hose because of the hose water pressure. Could I be right? How hard is a water pump to install? <br /><br />Thanks<br />-Mike

 

[Don S]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

Did you ever check the raw water pump impeller in the outdrive?

 

[IcantDo55]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

No I have not checked it. Is there a way to do that with out removing the lower unit?

 

[JoJoBetsy]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

It's easy. Email me and I'll give you the lowdown. I just did my A1G2 in about 2 hours.<br /><br />joe.barresi@gmail.com

 

[IcantDo55]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

Originally posted by JoJoBetsy:<br /> It's easy. Email me and I'll give you the lowdown. I just did my A1G2 in about 2 hours.<br /><br />joe.barresi@gmail.com

Email sent.

 

[Don S]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

The pump is between the upper and lower units of the drive. For a beginner, the easiest ways is to remove the drive from the boat, drain the drive, and dissassemble the raw water pump "BY THE BOOK" <br />Here's a link to the OEM Mercruiser service manual for your drive. Section 3B shows how to repair the pump. Section 3A shows how to seperate and reassemble the upper and lower so all the parts fit together.<br />It's a little intimidating the first time, but once you see how it's done properly, then you can try the short cuts.<br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[IcantDo55]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

UPDATE!<br /><br />-I removed the lower unit only breaking one bolt (AHHH got it out tho) and than removed the impeller housing and only broke one more bolt (machine shop got this one now to remove it AHH). But the water pump does not look bad so I all be it I broke alot of stuff I don't think I found my cooling issue! AHHHH!<br /><br />So I was picking the brain of the guys at the marine shop and they told me it could be the "riser". Ok sounds logical, so I went to remove that, guess!!! Broke a bolt off! This thing is killing me! This time I can't take it to a shop (still part of the motor) and I cant get it off! Going to heat it up good today and keep my fingets crossed. <br /><br />Riser looks rusted but how do I know if its the problem? Is there a tell tale sign? Think the lower exhaust manifold is bad too? Are those bolt going to break also? Is it hard to remove?<br /><br />One more question, where do I buy a riser from? Mercruiser dealer wants $360 for it! But I see aftermarket ones online for less than half that, worth it? Where is the best place on the web to buy from?<br /><br />Thanks guys!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

welcome to saltwater.<br /> manifolds and risers in our area typically last 3 years or so. once they start clogging the water cannot get out so the engine runs hot. the block can also fill with sand, thats why I remove the petcocks and run the engine on a flusher and check for sand in the block.<br /> I have had them run aground and try to dig themselves off and pack the block so tight with sand that core plug removal and cyl head removal was nessasary.<br /> you should be able to find a barr or aqua power or sierra replacement in your area.

 

[IcantDo55]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

Originally posted by rodbolt:<br /> welcome to saltwater.<br /> manifolds and risers in our area typically last 3 years or so. once they start clogging the water cannot get out so the engine runs hot. the block can also fill with sand, thats why I remove the petcocks and run the engine on a flusher and check for sand in the block.<br /> I have had them run aground and try to dig themselves off and pack the block so tight with sand that core plug removal and cyl head removal was nessasary.<br /> you should be able to find a barr or aqua power or sierra replacement in your area.

So think the riser is the only issue or should I remove the exhaust manifold too? Any of the brands better quality than the next?

 

[bluemist]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

Hi,<br />While you had the drive apart you might have wanted to test the water pocket cover (top of the copper tube in the drive) for leaks. You can do this bt clamping a hose to the copper and applying LIGHT!!! back preassure with your hand where the water comes from the drive. If the cover leaks bring the drive to a good mechanic and have him change it these bolts often break if not babied out and if they do you will need a new upper housing BE careful.<br />Also not trying to be insulting but trying to help... Did you install thre thermostat right side up (spring on the engine side) and at correct spot in the housing.<br />AL

 

[IcantDo55]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

Thermostat was installed right. <br /><br />testing this "water pocket" prove?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

proves if all the water from the pump is getting up to the engine.another place is the copper tube. if it corrodes thru or got shorter,it dosent sit in the housing all the way and water from the pump dosent do antwhere.gimbal housing may have a corroeded hole in it where the transom hose is connected,visable with the drive off.

 

[IcantDo55]

Re: Help with cooling issue, please.

Will check it thanks.