Water temp or pressure?

[Captn Dave]

My brother in-law recently bought a boat that was repowered with a 225 HP Optimax. The console has neither a water temperature or pressure gage.<br />His mechanic told him a water pressure gage is better than a temperature gage.<br />I tend to disagree. <br />What's the consensus of you guys?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Water temp or pressure?

They serve two entirely different functions. If I have a choice of just one gauge, give me the temp gauge. However, if you are messing with engine height issues to squeeze the utmost performance from the boat, a water pressure gauge is essential to ensure the engine is not set so high or trimmed so high that water pressure is lost.

 

[chuckz]

Re: Water temp or pressure?

A water temperature gauge will tell you there is something wrong after the engine starts to heat up. A water pressure gauge can indicate a problem before the engine begins to overheat. I prefer the water pressure gauge.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Water temp or pressure?

I've got a temp gauge on my motor but from what I have read on these forums the pressure gauge is by far the prefered option. From what I understand, the pressure gauge will tell you when something is GOING to go wrong whereas the temp gauge will tell you when something HAS gone wrong. If you really want to monitor things put both on.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Water temp or pressure?

Considering the cost of a rebuild get both and make sure that your overheat sensor/horn works.

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Water temp or pressure?

Instead of a water temp gauge, you might want to consider a cylinder head temp gauge. The typical temperature range on a water temp gauge seems to be meant more for an inboard engine as an outboard would be well cooked if it should get into the upper half of the range. Cylinder head temp gauges generally have a range from 60 to 200 degress which better matches that of an outboard. I do agree with others that if given a choice of one or the other I would get a water pressure gauge. BTW, one seemingly often overlooked benefit of a temperature gauge is that it will not only tell you when your engine gets too hot, but will also indicate when your engine is not warming up in the first place. This can happen when the thermostat sticks open which was the cause of plugs quickly fouling on my engine.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Water temp or pressure?

you also may wish to consider the smart tach option. it has all the above plus more built into the tach. sounds like a repower on the cheap was done. I always reccomend factory gauges due to this. the smart tach has some nifty features as well.<br /> most all the opti I see have the sensors on the motor and just need the correct rigging and interface to be functional.

 

[Captn Dave]

Re: Water temp or pressure?

Thanks for all the suggestions.