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How do you check cooling on 5.8 liter ford eng for proper cooling flow eng. idles at 185-190 degrees is this normal Im b uying tnis boat has been in salt water I checked impellers in drives they are ok I dont know if their is any problem but I need to know that water is flowing properly through eng how do you ck engs for proper water fflow
Optional Information: Make (of engine): 1992 omc 5.8 liter Model (of engine): Ford Year: 1992 Horsepower: not sure bot says HO Already Tried: Ran with ear muffs on plenty of water
My name is XXXXX XXXXX X will be helping you today. Most questions will involve troubleshooting, and usually take many posts back and forth. Post back with questions as needed.
When it comes to cooling. It is fairly simple to figure out if you are running hot. It comes down to 3 basic things.
1. Water is not getting in. - Raw/sea water pump problem - You stated you checked the impellars. So i'll take your word on that.
2. Water is not circulating - This would be from either a bad engien water circulating pump or a clogged engine from sand
3. Water is not getting out - All water exists the engine from the exhaust manifolds/risers. If water can not get out, it can not take the heat of the engine out with it. Risers are a wear and tear item, and do not last the life of the engine. They are cast iron and do scale up and rust up and clog up. On average in a saltwater boat they last 3 to 5 years befoer needing replacement. In a freshwater boat they can last well over 10 years, but they still do not last forever.
That is what you are looking for.
Feel free to post back with any questions
Good luck!
Jason
Experience: Degree in Marine Technology. Gas and diesel marine mechanic.
Thank you for the reply I need to know the running temp of these engines they idle at 185-190 and hot water comes out exhaust engines run smooth but boat isnt in water yet so running with ear muffs and hose. I pulled both out drive c0vers and pulled impeller housings impellers looked ok and rubber soft. Im trying to avoid lauching boat with overheating problems
140 to 150F is what it should run when the boat is in the water. The engine might run a little hotter if your particular garden hose can not supply enough water volume to the engine. But even on the hose you should not be running that hot.
See how hot the actual exhaust risers are. If they are over 160F then they are usually clogged up.
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Thank you for your answer. I was wondering by chance could the thermostats cause the high temp. in each eng. they both register about the same temperatures and if the risers are not that hot is it safe to think its ok
The thermostats do regulate engine temperature (engine temp, not exhaust temp).
Sticking tstats can and will cause high running temps.
When you go by the book you have the cooling system serviced every 2 years regardless of hours. Every 2 years you rebuild the seawater pump and replace the tstats.
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Thank You I will pull both stats and replace impellers and stainless housings to inspect. I noticed a rubber hose plugged on the rear of the impeller housing and hose goes down to the lower unit through rubber gromet is this to drain pump of sea-water if boat is pulled from water? The hose is split and im trying to see if its a water drain. These out drives are King Cobras Thanks Bob Cook
Bob that hose is a vent hose for the pump. If that is split, and is not running down to the lower. What will happen is the water pump will suck air up from that line, and feed air into the cooling system, causing it to get airbound. That may very likely be the reason of your overheat right there.