Troubleshooting can determine faults and help correct mechanical or cooling system problems. This troubleshooting guide will focus on actions needed to correct engine overheating issues for MerCruiser Inboard motors.
Components my differ depending on MerCruiser year, these guidelines are typical for most model MerCruisers for 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006. Since these are general guidelines, the following years may be relevant: 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997.
The following is a check list of probable causes, but keep in mind, more than one of these conditions could be present.
Engine Overheats Mechanical:
IMPORTANT: First, verify if the engine is actually overheating, the temperature gauge or sender could be faulty.
IMPORTANT: Best way to test the gauge or sender is just to replace it.
Key features of interest will be focused on overheating due to mechanical problems:
- Engine laboring
- Timing
- Distributor
- Spark plug wires
- Fuel mixture
- Spark plugs
- Exhaust
- Valve timing
- Head-gasket
- Lubrication
1. The engine rpm is below specifications at WOT (wide open throttle), this could be do to a damaged or incorrect propeller. Check for excessive growth on the bottom of the boat. Is bilge working? Check to see if the hull is filled with water causing excessive drag (engine laboring). Also, excessive air bubbles due to growth on bottom hull could cause the sea water pick-up insufficient water for cooling (if equipped), see engine overheats cooling system. These issues can cause an engine to overheat.
2. Worn down ignition timing, check to see if the timing is retarded or possibly to far advanced.
3. Inspect the distributor advance weights to see if there sticking.
4. Spark plug wires can be transversed (wrong firing order), make sure spark plug wires are in correct order.
5. Lean fuel mixture.
6. Incorrect heat range for spark plugs.
7. Restriction in exhaust system.
8. Is the timing off? Possibly the timing chain has jumped or installed improperly.
9. Blown head gasket, a compression test will not reveal if the head gasket is blown. Typically, an engine will not overheat until the engine has reached speeds above 3000 rpm. For engines that are sea water cooled: use a clear plastic hose, inspect for air bubbles between seawater pump and engine. If you do not notice bubbles, install the hose between the thermostat housing and manifold(s). Any bubbles detected at higher rpm is an indication of a blown head gasket.
10. Lubrication issues for moving parts. A fouled oil pun, blocked oil passages or low oil level may be the problem.
Engine Overheats Cooling System
Key features of interest will be focused on overheating due to cooling system problems:
- Drive belt
- Seawater shutoff valve (if equipped)
- Sea strainer
- Seawater pick-up (models with belt driven seawater pump only)
- Seawater kinks or collapsed hose
- Seawater blockage
- Hull obstructions
- Thermostat
- Exhaust elbow
- Faulty seawater pump
- Obstruction in cooling system
- Engine circulating pump faulty
- Coolant
- Antifreeze
- Heat exchanger
- Water hoses
- Drive belt
- Seawater shutoff valve
1. Possible broken or loose drive belt.
2. The seawater shutoff valve may be partially or completely closed (if equipped).
3. Incorrectly installed sea water strainer
4. Loose hose connections between seawater pickup and pump inlet, this applies only to models equipped with belt driven seawater pumps). Note: the pump will suck air. The pump may also fail to prime or will force bubbles into the cooling system.
5. The seawater inlet hose could possibly be kinked or collapsed, this may or may not be noticeable until under load.
6. Blocked or clogged sea water pick-up.
7. Obstructions on the bottom hull of boat causing to much water turbulence. If there are obstructions in front of the seawater pick-up, it could cause air bubbles to be forced into the cooling system.
8. Check thermostat for proper operation.
9. Make sure the exhaust elbow water outlet in not blocked, clogged or plugged.
10. Seawater pump may have a worn pump impeller, replace if necessary.
11. Possible obstructions in cooling system. Check items such as casting flash, salt, sand, rust, etc. Check your service manual for water flow diagram.
12. Engine circulating pump could be faulty.
13. Check coolant level.
14. Is the antifreeze mixed correctly? A good mix ratio should be 50/50 or maximum 60/40 (antifreeze = 60%, water = 40%)
15. Inspect heat exchanger for plugged cores.
16. Water hoses transversed, make sure water hoses are not reversed at the water distribution block.
17. Broken, worn or loose drive belt.
18. Seawater shut off valve fully or partially closed.
Service procedures apply to some of the following models:
- mercruiser overheating at high rpm
- mercruiser very high temperature at idle
- mercruiser 3.0 overheating
- mercruiser 470 overheating
- mercruiser 4.3 overheating
- 470 mercruiser overheating problem
- will the mercruiser impeller cause engine to run hot
- 1997 mercruiser 3.0 lx overheating problem
- 1997 mercruiser 3.0 overheating
- 1997 mercruiser 3.0 overheating idle
- 1998 7.4 mercruiser overheating
- 454 marine engine overheating not reaching rpm
- 454 mercruiser boat engines overheating issue
- 496 8.1 mercruiser check valves glogged causing overheating
- 82 mercruiser 350 engine overheating problem
- 89 3.0 l mercruiser alpha 1 overheating problem
MerCruiser Inboard Engine Model
- 496 Mag HO 8.1S Horizon HO
- GM V8 454 cid 7.4L 502 cid 8.2L
- 4.3L MPI Alpha and Bravo
- 3.0L & 3.0LX
- 4 Cylinder
- 305 CID 5.0L 350 CID 5.7L 6.2L
- GM V8 305-350-454-482-540 CID
- D1.7L DTI
- In-ine Diesel D2.8L D4.2L D-Tronic Manual
- GM 6-Cylinder Engines
While this guide was written to help you diagnose problems. Its recommended you refer to the factory service manual before performing any work. Improper service or repairs can magnify existing issues. Also, MercCruiser repair manuals may contain more detail information including important safety notations or warnings.
No comments:
Post a Comment