1983 85HP: "...when warm...", How can you tell while in the driveway?

[Benz Mondi]

OK, now that I'm finally putting the hours that I should have as a boat owner. I've always run across the phrase: "when warm" when reading the manuals or even on this forum. My questions is, when I've got the boat hooked up on ear muffs in my driveway and I get the motor started, when does magical state of "being warm" happen? How long should it take? How can I tell that the motor is warm? Thanx.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1983 85HP: "...when warm...", How can you tell while in the driveway?

When the paint starts to change color, the engine is warm--too warm LOL

A warm engine is one that has opened the thermostat. Since this is difficult to impossible to tell, touch the head or block. It should be uncomfortably warm to touch. now you are sure the engine is at operating temperature and you can proceed to adjust the carbs.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: 1983 85HP: "...when warm...", How can you tell while in the driveway?

Usually, I watch the nostrils or those those holes at the mid-leg. When water starts to spray out those two holes, it tells you the t-stat is open and engine is warm. It doesn't even take that long usually in less than a minute. I said, "spray" for when in muffs usually the amount of water coming out of these holes is almost like a mist.

 

[Benz Mondi]

Re: 1983 85HP: "...when warm...", How can you tell while in the driveway?

Usually, I watch the nostrils or those those holes at the mid-leg. When water starts to spray out those two holes, it tells you the t-stat is open and engine is warm. It doesn't even take that long usually in less than a minute. I said, "spray" for when in muffs usually the amount of water coming out of these holes is almost like a mist.

Since I put a Tell-tale on since the first days I got her three years ago, I've never actually paid attention to the "nostrils" at the mid leg. Thus far after only about 5 minutes of continuous running and then a couple of minutes at a time thereafter, I noticed that water and exhaust come out of the exhaust snout and only some water vapor out of the nostrils. After the motor is off, at times I've noticed a small amount smoke or steam come out of the nostrils and rise into the air (very hard to see, can't smell anything, I just happen to see it because the background was dark at the time). I just put a brand new 130 degree thermostat. I even used an infra-red temp gun on the head and in 5 mins I never got a reading over 100 degrees and the head or the block never felt "uncomfortably warm".

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1983 85HP: "...when warm...", How can you tell while in the driveway?

It only takes a couple of minutes to get the motor hot enough to do damage.
The holes in the mid section.
They aren't there for a tell tale.
Some motors?? The relief valve is stuck.Then water won't necessarily come out the holes.
My motors(2) have water coming out the mid leg as soon as the water circulates.
No way the motor gets hot enough to open the thermo in under 10 seconds.
I'm sure if I took my salt water use pressure relief valves out they'd be stuck in the closed position.
So if you have steam and some water, it's normal for your motor.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: 1983 85HP: "...when warm...", How can you tell while in the driveway?

With a 130 degree t-stat it will be hard to see the engine's external go above 100 degree on muffs. The little amount of steam exiting the holes is an indication the engine is more than warm enough. The steam was generated when cooling water was turned off (engine shut downs and impeller stops) with residual water in the cooling ports getting into hot internals of the engine. And since this is hot gas it will stay up rather than down to the snout and exits the holes situated above.