Checkmate Pulsare 1850 with a Mercury Optimax 175. Ran great for 53 engine hours. Today, one week before our summer vacation, the engine alarm sounded and asked me to reduce throttle. I did so and checked the gauges. Temp was 180, too high. As I idled home temp stayed around 154. Everytime I attempted to plane the temp rose. I was content to idle home so as not to do any more damage. When I arrived home I pulled the cowl, put the hose on the outside fitting and began flushing the engine. I could see water appearing inside the engine cowl, I traced it to the fitting for the outside flushing system. The pipe strap was off and water was spraying out. I replaced the pipe strap and relaunched. Engine alarm still sounding, temps still too high. I am in New Orleans La and it seems no one can repair a boat for two months, I need some help. Could this be an oil problem, my tank has never run dry and is currently full. I am at a loss and need some educated input from the experts.
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Optimax 175 2004...Help!!
- Thread starter jwh445
- Start date
What is your water pressure like at the various throttle settings? idle, mid, and WOT?
It won't be an oil problem.
The first thing that I would check would be the thermostats. You can test them by putting them in water on your stove and bringing the water up in temp and watching for them to open. They can catch debris as well.
The next thing I'd check is the poppet, especially if the water pressure seems to be higher than usual when on plane. Check for free movement and spring pressure when you take it apart.
It won't be an oil problem.
The first thing that I would check would be the thermostats. You can test them by putting them in water on your stove and bringing the water up in temp and watching for them to open. They can catch debris as well.
The next thing I'd check is the poppet, especially if the water pressure seems to be higher than usual when on plane. Check for free movement and spring pressure when you take it apart.
That would be the first place I'd start.
I hate to say it and don't take this the wrong way, but if you don't know what you are doing and there is not someone there to show you, I strongly suggest leaving it to a dealer. You could just end up making it worse if you don't know what to look for. I know that you said that the dealers are all busy.
Give this guy a call 1-225-571-7671 His name is Mark Kramer. He is in Praireville Louisianna. Isn't that near Baton Rouge? He posts on many of the other boards including "FastBass" seems to be a good guy who knows his stuff. I don't have any first hand experience being 1800 miles north of you but your kinda stuck....
Let me know how you make out.
I hate to say it and don't take this the wrong way, but if you don't know what you are doing and there is not someone there to show you, I strongly suggest leaving it to a dealer. You could just end up making it worse if you don't know what to look for. I know that you said that the dealers are all busy.
Give this guy a call 1-225-571-7671 His name is Mark Kramer. He is in Praireville Louisianna. Isn't that near Baton Rouge? He posts on many of the other boards including "FastBass" seems to be a good guy who knows his stuff. I don't have any first hand experience being 1800 miles north of you but your kinda stuck....
Let me know how you make out.
Not taken the wrong way, I understand and appreciate your input. The little things I can take care of, ie. replace a pipe strap. But, when it comes to removing the lower unit, I agree, I'm not the man for the job. I will try the local dealers again, and if I get no help, I will call your man in Prairieville. Thanks again, I'll keep you posted.
I'm scheduled to have the water pump changed some time next week. Before then, can a man of my means handle checking the thermostats? If someone could tell me where to find them and if I would need gaskets to replace them, I would like to make sure it's not just a stuck thermostat.
Brought it in to our local dealer, they changed the impeller, the thermostats and the poppet seal. Nothing covered under warranty, oh well. Should these parts need replacing after 54 hrs? It cost me 400.00, have not had a chance to test on the water yet, hopefully my overheating problem will be solved. I'll post again after testing on the water.
The impeller is NEVER a warranty item. How long will it last? Depends, typically 1 - 5years. depends on if you've run sand through it, type of water etc, . I think salt water is a little harder on them. The thermostats and poppet are warrantiable items, if you have followed proper maintenance. If you run that boat in salt water and don't flush it with fresh water you can have problems. If it is a fresh water boat it could be a warrranty claim.
To me, it sounds like the dealer replaced any component he thought could be suspect because he didn't want you to have grief on your holidays. He probably spent 2 - 2.5 hrs to replace those parts so, you did probably pay a premium for him getting you in. Probably better than waiting a month.
To me, it sounds like the dealer replaced any component he thought could be suspect because he didn't want you to have grief on your holidays. He probably spent 2 - 2.5 hrs to replace those parts so, you did probably pay a premium for him getting you in. Probably better than waiting a month.
Ran boat yesterday. Rough conditions in Lake Pontchartrain. 2 foot chop just prior to breaking waves. Temps were around 150 at idle speed and 110 - 115 running, no alarms. Yeeha!! On one of our downwind runs we reached 66 mph, skipping over the tops of the waves with just the prop in the water. Now it's off to Lake Martin AL for the first week in August. Thanks for the advice and help in getting my engine running again.