Simple overheating question... I think

[Chad Flaugher]

Ford 302 V8 1974 OMC 190hp Stringer.... Replaced the thermostat last year, and that fixed an intermittent overheating problem. I replaced the impeller this winter, just 'cause that's the right thing to do. She ran like a dream until today. The temp shot strait up to pegging the temp gauge. I ran it back to dock in short bursts as to not damage anything, and it happened every time. Got it home, and it ran perfect off of a hose. Logic tells me that the water pressure from the hose is acting as a water pump, so the thermostat is not clogged/faulty. That leads me to believe the impeller or water pump is bad. Sound right?

I had to have my boat decontaminated at the ranger station because one of our local lakes turned out to have water fleas. When they flushed my motor, I think his Hotsy machine was not working properly, thus not pumping enough water through the outdrive. That is the only reason I would suspect the impeller. Ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Grub54891]

Sounds like you may have found the problem. It was fine till someone else did something.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

I tore the outdrive off, should have some answers later tonight. I've followed some complex overheating threads on this site a few times. I hope my problems are obvious. It'd be pretty upsetting if that state employee caused the damage. Thanks for the response, I'll post my findings tomorrow.

 

[southkogs]

Sounds like an impeller issue ...

And yes, on a hose the water pressure will act for the impeller on the Stringer. Your pushing water down to the impeller and up to the engine on the hose.

 

[Chad Flaugher]

So yeah, the impeller came out in 5 pieces. When I ordered a new one from my parts/mechanic guy, he mentioned that very same thing happened to another one of his clients on another local lake. That's a bunch of crap if you ask me. That's our government taken' care of us! Not only did he fry my impeller, he obviously didn't flush my motor correctly, exposing a clean lake to water fleas.:frusty: Okay, I'm done (As he steps off his soap box and walks away)