A couple of engine issues.

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Tone83

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I finally took my boat again yesterday after I did some work to it. I took it out for a test run when I first bought it and everything was great. I decided to replace the bellows, lower shift cable, the impeller and the housing.

When I first got it out it would die as soon as I put it in forward gear, reverse was fine. The engine also revved up great in neutral. I figured I didn’t get the shift cable adjusted correctly because I did it on land so I adjusted it a little (I didn’t have my manual and didn’t remember the whole process). After I did that I was able to give it about 1/4 throttle in the fwd gear any more than that it would did. I'm thinking I need to take my manual and adjust it correctly on the water. Is there anything else I need to look at or is it looking like I only need to readjust the shift cable?

Second I kept it out all day only using 1/4 throttle on my way back to the dock my engine began to overheat, it got up to around 210 when the alarm went off and I shut it off. It was low tide and the water was a little shallow. I’m pretty sure the impeller is good, on muffs it pumps out plenty of water but is still overheating. What else should I look at I'm thinking my thermostat may have gotten stuck closed maybe from sucking up a little sand? I plan on replacing it is there anything else I need to look at?

I have a 1989 4.3lx mercruiser alpha one gen one. The engine serial number is gone but the stern drive is 0C516194

Thanks,
Anthony
 
Fishermark

Fishermark

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

There's no need to adjust the cable on the water - just do it by the book and you should be okay.

If you are sure you installed the impeller correctly - how are your manifolds?
 
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Tone83

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

Yup I did it exactly as that manual said minus removing the propeller. I’ll try adjusting the shift cables again I may have made an error but is that something that would kill the engine after I give it more than a 1/4 throttle.
 
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Tone83

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

Thanks, I tried adjusting it again. I am doing it by the book but cant get the roller centered. It is just a little off every tme. I guess I have to go back and check everything.
 
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Tone83

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

Thanks for the video; I didn’t know I could adjust that anchor bolt. The manual said to keep it all the way down. I raised it about a quarter inch and its perfect now.
 
achris

achris

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

Tone83 said:
Thanks for the video; I didn’t know I could adjust that anchor bolt. The manual said to keep it all the way down. I raised it about a quarter inch and its perfect now.
Click to expand...

There ya go, glad it helped...

Which manual you using?
 
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Tone83

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

Ah thanks, next time I'll read the entire process instead of stopping were I'm getting stuck. I was stopping at step 14.

As far as the overheating goes I checked the impeller and it was good. I pulled the thermostat housing to replace the thermostat and the top passage was clogged with some sand and little pieces of rust. I was able to clean it out pretty good but it got me wondering about the passages in the engine that I can’t reach to clean out. Is there a way to flush/clean that out?
 
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Tone83

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

I cleaned out that upper passage of the thermostat housing, disconnected all of the hoses and flushed everything out with a hose. I got a lot of stuff out that way mostly little pieces of rust. I put it back together without a thermostat just to test it and the temperature didn’t get above 110 so I think I have fixed my problem. I'm off to the store to pick up the gaskets and a new thermostat so I can put it back together right.

Thanks for all of the help.
 
paultjohnson

paultjohnson

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

Tone83 said:
As far as the overheating goes I checked the impeller and it was good.
Click to expand...

A thought on impeller inspection... even though an impeller may look good with a visual inspection-no missing vanes, no apparent wear and tear, it doesn't necessarily mean its functioning properly. An impeller moves water by the flexing and unflexing of the vanes as it spins from its off center mounted position. If the vanes loose their flexibility-become stiff from age and/or non use, they may not move enough water. When I replaced my visually perfect impeller on my overheating 4.3, the overheat problem was solved. IMHO, unless the impeller is brand new, I would put in a new one as general maintenance if I had gone to the trouble of pulling out the old one. They are rather inexpensive.
I understand you have solved the problem by removing all the crud from the T-Stat housing, but i wanted to add my 2c worth.:D
 
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Tone83

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

The impeller was brand new I was making sure I put it in correclty. I replaced it right before that trip.
 
achris

achris

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

Tone83 said:
I cleaned out that upper passage of the thermostat housing, disconnected all of the hoses and flushed everything out with a hose. I got a lot of stuff out that way mostly little pieces of rust. I put it back together without a thermostat just to test it and the temperature didn’t get above 110 so I think I have fixed my problem. I'm off to the store to pick up the gaskets and a new thermostat so I can put it back together right.

Thanks for all of the help.
Click to expand...

A Merc dealer I hope... If you use a standard automotive gasket, your temperature gauge will stop working altogether.

Chris.....
 
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Tone83

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

I used the Sierra kit, the Merc dealer around here is closed on sundays. Its not OEM but its close enough and not automotive. I know enough not to use automotive parts. :)
 
achris

achris

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Re: A couple of engine issues.

Tone83 said:
I used the Sierra kit, the Merc dealer around here is closed on sundays. Its not OEM but its close enough and not automotive. I know enough not to use automotive parts. :)
Click to expand...

Does it have the brass continuity eyelets in it?
 
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