Help! Temp Gauge alarm keeps going off!
 

Hi guys,

Just when I thought I had all the bugs out, the temp alarm kept going off while underway today. I had it out on the Madison lakes which are notorious for weeds, but I can't tell if weeds where getting sucked up the intakes or if the temp gauge is faulty.

I'm taking it out on a river tomorrow with a lot of people coming. I don't want to have the same issue. If the alarm keeps going off is there a way I can by-pass it or unhook the temp gauge? As sporadic as the needle is moving, I can't think it's the engine.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Danny

Re: Help! Temp Gauge alarm keeps going off!
 

You don't want to bypass the warning device! When was the impeller replaced? If it's gone bad your boat will overheat and if you're not careful it can cause serious problems.

Re: Help! Temp Gauge alarm keeps going off!
 

Do you have a temp gauge?

Re: Help! Temp Gauge alarm keeps going off!
 

Hi guys,

Thanks-I didn't bypass the alarm today. It was going off today again. It was fine under cruising power and tubing, but if you get it around 4000 RPM the temp gauge would climb past 175 and set off the alarm. I grounded out the temp gauge and it is working properly. I think I'm going to change the thermostat. I bet it's going bad.

As for the impeller-my mechanic just tuned up the engine and had the outdrive off to change the rubber boot and shift cable. He said the engine is circulating water just fine. He had the muffs on it and it was circulating water at a good pace. Is the thermostat pretty easy? Any tips or is it just like in a car?

Danny

Re: Help! Temp Gauge alarm keeps going off!
 

Hey thanks guys,

Especially John Morgan. It was a bad impeller and pick up tube. I changed the thermostat hoping for a cheap fix. It didn't work. The mechanic got me for about $250 to replace the impeller.

I took it out yesterday without incident. I appreciate the advice John.

Danny

Re: Help! Temp Gauge alarm keeps going off!
 

I screwed around and ignored the alaram and paid the price. Impeller was bad. The motor "hydra-locked" and the hot water was trapped with the exhaust flaps closed. The water was so hot it melted the exhaust flaps. So luckily it didn't ruin the engine but I had to replace the impeller, thermostat, and exhaust flaps. I am having a problem with my shift cable. My throttle goes into neutral but the foot is not. The boat obviously won't start with it in gear. Did you have this problem before you got your shift cable replaced. My mechanic told me about 40 bucks for the cable and an hour or so labor. Couple hundred bucks.

Re: Help! Temp Gauge alarm keeps going off!
 

Hey Jay Five,

My boat had nothing done to it maintenance wise since the previous owner bought it in 96'. My mechanic suggested I change the rubber boot in the outdrive (bellow?) and he recommended changing the shift cable while he was in there. I wasn't having any trouble with it, but after he changed the cable he said he would be surprised if it would have lasted half of this summer.

If you are having work done in the outdrive I would change what ever I could while it's apart. It will be cheaper for you than having him tear it all apart again for a simple part. I'm surprised he didn't change the impeller while he had it apart the first time. It's changed now and the boat works flawlessly. I'm surprised Mercruiser doesn't have any competition. If you read closely to most posts, all the problems with boats have to do with Mercury. Surely there must be better technology out there. Why don't they use it?

Danny