How hot is hot?

[grzzzz]

I have been having trouble with my motor running hot? I test drove again last weekend and it seemed to run around 215. lake water temp around 70. It has a 140 thermostat in it so I keep thinking it is running hot and shut it down at 200. I let it go a bit more this weekend and it seem to level at 215. Is that what every ones is running? 4 cylinder Chevy, mercruser. There is nothing to do with cooling I haven't done several times. 3 impellers, 3 water pumps, 3 thermostats, block flushed boiled when rebuilt, no blockages in pick-up tube, feed hoses. All complete professional rebuilt motor.



Grzzzz

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: How hot is hot?

215 is hot - should be 160 or less - might be the gauge or the pick up if everything else is cool - did you open the dog house and check it? At 215 - my guess is - it would be noticeably hot......

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: How hot is hot?

At 215 you'd be pre detonating your fuel..(Pinging) and would have visible steam and or smoke I'd imagine.

Get a hand held laser thermomenter and shoot the manifold with her running. If that reads normal temps (140-170) then replace the gauge.

 

[grzzzz]

Re: How hot is hot?

Thanks for the replies

I guess a hand held is a next step. I have already put in 2 original mercruzer "color" temp gauges. Then bought a new mechanical temp gauge, that is what I am reading now. At first when it got to 200 it would start shutting down, missing... I knew it was getting hot, But, this last trip running at gauge temp 215, it didn't smell hot, feel hot, or run poorly so I kept going. 215 is where it settled. Thanks..... I'll get a hand held and verify. With my luck, it is possible EVERY gauge I own is lying!!

Grzzzz

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: How hot is hot?

Gauge might not be the problem, the sender could be bad. My boat runs 200+ on the dash gauge, the manual temp gauge I installed at the engine runs 160 on the nose. I have antifreeze in my engine block, installed the cooling kit. I also installed a manual oil pressure gauge, high engine water temp alarm (190 deg.), and low oil pressure warning (15psi alarm sounds, light comes on).
I agree with steam coming from the engine and getting a hand held temp gauge (do not use on bare metal for an accurate temp, make sure it has paint or black tape), but I doubt detonation will occur.
My jeep always ran 210 (210 thermostate) and about 215 on a hot day, ran that way for 214,000 miles.
My 1978 bronco ran 190 and 205 on a hot day. 190 thermo
What you do have is a more suspeptability to vapor lock, gas boils out of the carb.