Cooling system problem

[Pulse121]

Haven't posted in a while but I finally did get the boat in the water. (1978 browning with a mercruiser 228.)

Got it in the water and, after about an hour, spring a leak...Of sorts.

She was running a little warm, then she spiked and we smelled something. Pulled the dog house off and saw, what looked like, smoke.

turned out to be steam. Looks like a crack formed in the cooling manifold ("log" style, I believe).

We managed to get her back in and on the trailer, running really warm but took it easy.

She still starts fine, but warms up quick.

So, my questions:
1) Could a frozen thermostat have caused the crack?
2) Where can I get a good deal on another one (or a pair)? Searching around the net I've seen, what looks like, the part(s) but prices are everywhere from $150 to $800. I'd like to get the parts I need ordered but I don't want to buy the wrong ones or spend a ton of money and end up with the wrong stuff.
3) Other then the manifold and a gasket kit, what else should I look at getting?

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Cooling system problem

How old are the impellers? They should be replaced every other year.

 

[Pulse121]

Re: Cooling system problem

How old are the impellers? They should be replaced every other year.

I was told, when I bought the boat, they had just installed one.

So, it should only have about 2 or 3 hours on it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Cooling system problem

Pull them both and inspect (and replace). Sellers usually stretch how old things like that are.

 

[Pulse121]

Re: Cooling system problem

Pull them both and inspect (and replace). Sellers usually stretch how old things like that are.

I had picked it up from a dealer who said they'd just installed one. I was thinking the hours were from me running it on the muffs while tuning the engine and the 1.5 hours I had it on the water.

But if it sounds like it needs replacing, I'll go ahead and do it.

Where should I look for a good price on the impeller and manifold then? The crack in the manifold is over an inch long. Was shooting steam out of it like a tea kettle when we got back.