Motor Temp Gauge not working

[SHickey]

Hello,

A relative of mine just purchased a 95 Celeberity 210 with a Merc OD and a 5.7 motor. The boat runs fine but the temp gauge is not working and I told my relative he really needs to get it working to prevent any major motor failures. I am seeing him this afternoon and I am 100% sure it is not fixed and he will want to take a ride.

Could someone identify where the motor temp sensor is on that type of motor and any advice on how I can get it working again if it is not already fixed??

I am assuming there is a disconnected wire or loose ground on the gauge but I am not familiar with that beast of a motor.

Any help in the next 2 hours would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Fishermark]

Should be up by the thermostat housing. Simple check is to take the wire off of the sender and ground it out. It should peg the gauge to hot. If it doesn't, then there is a problem in the wiring or the gauge itself.

 

[SHickey]

Awesome!!

That I can do and thanks for the tip!!

Hopefully it will be an easy fix. The previous boat owner told my relative the motor runs @ 160 degrees on average. That temp seems normal to me but I guess the thermostat determines the average operating temp.

Enjoy the water this weekend!!

 

[johnkom]

Hmmm. If I was selling a boat that needed a lower water pump impeller replaced, and I was a shady character. I might be temped to disconnect the engine temp sensor so you wouldn't know that. "Yeah, she runs like a top, just needs a new temp gauge." Just sayin'.... Get 'er fixed.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Another way that temp gauges stop working is people use automotive gaskets for the thermostat housing after removing it to winterize. Unlike the automotive gasket, the marine gaskets have rivets embedded in the gasket to make electrical connection between the thermostat/temp sender and the motor. If you find that shorting the wire does peg the gauge, then you can also take a piece of wire and wrap a couple inches of bare end around some unpainted metal on the sender threads and then ground the other end to temporarily get it working.

 

[SHickey]

Wow!!

I that is a great idea!!

I was not able to attend my relative's party so I hope he got the temp gauge looked at before he cooks the 5.7