Worried about overheating

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tboydva

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
167
I have a 1995 Evinrude 60HP outboard. I've been "refurbishing" it (although it probably didn't need anything). I removed the powerhead to change crusty gaskets. Thread is here. I've reassembled and painted the whole thing and I started it up today to see how it runs. When I reinstalled the head, I put in a new thermostat. I re-looked and it appears to be installed according to the directions in the kit.

So I let it run for a bit and the head seemed to get really hot (too much for me to touch without discomfort). I replaced the water pump and the telltale was peeing a steady stream. I got concerned, so I shut it off. I tested the overheat alarm (grounding the brown lead) and it sang perfectly. I don't ever recall my other outboard getting this hot.

So - is this normal? Should I let it run until the thermostat opens properly or the alarm sounds? I really don't want to have to pull it apart again? Any advise? According to one post, thermostats can be bad even if new?
 
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tboydva

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
167
Re: Worried about overheating

Wow - fast response. Yes. I'm running on muffs. I replaced the water pump and it appears to be really pumping well (tell-tale stream is shooting across the driveway). Presumably, the alarm will sound, but I'm really worried about the thermostat perhaps being bad? It's new, so theoretically....
 
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perculator

Seaman
Joined
Jun 10, 2009
Messages
70
Re: Worried about overheating

tboydva said:
I have a 1995 Evinrude 60HP outboard. I've been "refurbishing" it (although it probably didn't need anything). I removed the powerhead to change crusty gaskets. Thread is here. I've reassembled and painted the whole thing and I started it up today to see how it runs. When I reinstalled the head, I put in a new thermostat. I re-looked and it appears to be installed according to the directions in the kit.

So I let it run for a bit and the head seemed to get really hot (too much for me to touch without discomfort). I replaced the water pump and the telltale was peeing a steady stream. I got concerned, so I shut it off. I tested the overheat alarm (grounding the brown lead) and it sang perfectly. I don't ever recall my other outboard getting this hot.

So - is this normal? Should I let it run until the thermostat opens properly or the alarm sounds? I really don't want to have to pull it apart again? Any advise? According to one post, thermostats can be bad even if new?
Click to expand...

can you explain how you checked your alarm.......i'm electrically stupid? i've got a 73 evinrude and not sure that it works.....i don't get any sound when starting. i've been wanting to check it but not sure how. i have opened up my remote and found the buzzer/horn but that's about it. here's a pic if that helps you out.
thanks.
Photo-0036.jpg
 
T

tboydva

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
167
Re: Worried about overheating

Not sure how on your model - on my '83 Johnson, there is an overheat sensor on the powerhead (near the top and left if you're looking toward the bow). It has a "scissors" connector. Disconnect it and use the end going to the wiring harness. If you turn the key on (doesn't need to be running) and ground the brown (on mine) wire, it should make the alarm sound. If there are two leads from the temp sensor (as my '95 has), use the brown wire too.
 
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tboydva

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
167
Re: Worried about overheating

I can't recall exactly what the replacement thermostat looked like (had several springs and an "element" from my memory). I looked through my manual and only saw testing the heat "switch" mentioned. When I was 17 (and had no money), I remember putting my thermostat in water with heating to see when it opened and confirm it was good (probably best I didn't spend $15 for a new one - it was a Fiat after all). Would this be possible to check the T-stat on an outboard? Again, I can't really remember what it looked like (it wasn't a single module like an auto one with the springs incorporated). Thanks!
 
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tboydva

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
167
Re: Worried about overheating

OK - so I pulled apart the thermostat and it looked A-OK. There was water on the cover, so I'm pretty sure in retrospect that it opened. Started it up again and kept my hand on the head. Eventually, I could feel the thermostat cover cool down a bit! Looks like it's fine (and I was worrying too much). Seems to run pretty well too!
 
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