'92 60HP Cooling Problems?

[Freezebear]

Just replaced water pump on my motor with new style that includes complete water pump assembly and a retrofit kit for the thermostat. I also bought a new thermostat because the thermostat was missing when I opened it up. I followed the instructions to the letter including removing the tattle tale restrictor and running the water hose out the new grommet that replaces the restrictor. I installed the thermostat with the pointed end into the engine and used the straight spring between it and the cover. <br />Started the engine up and let idle on the hose. Let run for a few minutes and had good water pressure from the tattletale. I noticed that there are 2 ports directly under the powerhead at the rear that used to flow water all the time. Now no water is coming from them. I looked in the manual to see if I could find a diagram or purpose for these 2 ports. I put my hand on the cylinder head between the plugs and it was hot so I shut her down. Is this normal or is there something wrong? Does water only flow from these ports when the thermostat opens? <br />I opened the thermostat cover and found water on both sides of the thermostat, so I guess it was flowing.<br />I have an infrared thermometer I can use to see how hot the head really is, but I'm scared to run it until I find out if this is normal. <br />Also, I used a brand new thermostat and verified that there is a seal in the engine block where the thermostat goes.

 

[DJ]

Re: '92 60HP Cooling Problems?

Freeze,<br /><br />I think you are on the right track to find out just how hot it is. Is your hot horn working? You can test it by grounding the tan wire that goes to the sensor in the top of the head.<br /><br />The head may feel hotter than you are used to. The thermostat is holding in heat, that's what it is supposed to do.<br /><br />The two ports you refer to are exhaust relief ports. The will emit water depending on a couple of things.<br /><br />1. The amount of water flowing through the block.<br /><br />2. The depth of the leg, in the water or the amount of hose pressure you have.<br /><br />I would check your hot horn function and borrow a temperature measuring device.

 

[Freezebear]

Re: '92 60HP Cooling Problems?

Yes I did check the overheat circuit. I did not, however check the temp switch or sending unit. It is stuck in the block. I tried to pull it out, but it is really stuck. I have an infrared thermometer I will use tommorow when I try again.

 

[DJ]

Re: '92 60HP Cooling Problems?

Freeze,<br /><br />THere you go. Don't pull that sender out.

 

[Freezebear]

Re: '92 60HP Cooling Problems?

Ok. Fired the motor up with 65F water from hose and let idle at 1200 RPM for about 15 minutes. Cylinder head temp was 155F between each plug. Still no water coming out of the exhaust ports, but there is a little pressure coming from them. Water always flowed from these ports before. Gonna go for it tommorow and see what it does on the open water.

 

[DJ]

Re: '92 60HP Cooling Problems?

Freeze,<br /><br />Your temp. is right on.<br /><br />I suspect your engine was free flowing through the block causing your overflows to always have water exiting them.<br /><br />Water will flow out of them while you are planing.

 

[spucky]

Re: '92 60HP Cooling Problems?

If you are running on muffs, the water will just dump down the leg and out the prop. With the leg in water back pressure is created causing the idle relief ports to spray water with the increased volume of exhaust thru these ports.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: '92 60HP Cooling Problems?

At idle, very little water goes thru the thermostat as it does not take a lot to cool a motor at that low an rpm. Without the thermostat, all that extra water from the pump flowed thru the exhaust ports.<br /><br />If you aim the temp gun just ahead of the thermostat area on top of the head and the block, you will probably see around 145 which is recommended. At that temp you would only be able to hold your fingers there for about a second.

 

[Freezebear]

Re: '92 60HP Cooling Problems?

Thanks everyone for the responses. I was just worrying needlesly. Took her out yesterday morning and all went well. Took off and within a few minutes of half throttle operation, I saw water coming from the exhaust ports. Increased to full throttle and traveled about 12 miles to my fishing spot. No overheating whatsoever. Ran great! Came back and pulled the plugs to check and found that they were cleaner than they ever have been. Thanks again everyone.<br />