Hey everyone, I just purchased this boat with a 2011 4.3 mercruiser TKS in it. This is the first mercruiser I have owned, but I'm trying to make sure everything with the engine is in good working order.
Its a raw water cooled engine, fresh water for most of it life, salt water the last few years, I will us it in salt water.
what should the normal engine running temp be? I did just change the thermostat with new merc one 160F , the boat runs right on 175F according to the dash gauge. is 175F normal range.
Also the reason I changed the thermostat is one riser was running hotter then the other
Right side was running really cool to touch like 60's maybe hit 70's the left side was as high as 130's to 140's. changed thermostat, cleaned housing , but it wasn't really dirty,
After I put it all back together and ran the engine, just idle, after getting to engine temp the the right side was now running hotter, like in the 120's and the left side in the 80's , I'm puzzled why the cool side is now the hot side? But I decided to take it for a run, about a 3/4 mile about 2000 rpm , checked riser about the same temps, on my way back I opened the engine up for just a bit to about 4500 rpm's not long then idled for a few minutes while docking, checked risers again just be for I shut it off, both were equal about 95 to 98 F, could have the system been air locked? but is 98F still an ok temp or should they be lower for raw water cooled.
If anyone can give me an idea on what temps should be or if there is anything I should check etc, I'd appreciate it Thanks. Also I check temps using a ir gun.
Its a raw water cooled engine, fresh water for most of it life, salt water the last few years, I will us it in salt water.
what should the normal engine running temp be? I did just change the thermostat with new merc one 160F , the boat runs right on 175F according to the dash gauge. is 175F normal range.
Also the reason I changed the thermostat is one riser was running hotter then the other
Right side was running really cool to touch like 60's maybe hit 70's the left side was as high as 130's to 140's. changed thermostat, cleaned housing , but it wasn't really dirty,
After I put it all back together and ran the engine, just idle, after getting to engine temp the the right side was now running hotter, like in the 120's and the left side in the 80's , I'm puzzled why the cool side is now the hot side? But I decided to take it for a run, about a 3/4 mile about 2000 rpm , checked riser about the same temps, on my way back I opened the engine up for just a bit to about 4500 rpm's not long then idled for a few minutes while docking, checked risers again just be for I shut it off, both were equal about 95 to 98 F, could have the system been air locked? but is 98F still an ok temp or should they be lower for raw water cooled.
If anyone can give me an idea on what temps should be or if there is anything I should check etc, I'd appreciate it Thanks. Also I check temps using a ir gun.
