Hey everyone,
Long time reader, first time post:
I bought a 1998 Stingray (192RX) with a 3.0L Mercruiser this summer. It's been running well enough all year, but recently has had a pretty rough startup; it starts up easily but I need to keep the RPM's up around 2000 for about 4 minutes for the engine to warm up before I can back down on the throttle. After that, it runs fine, idles at 700.
I have noticed some shaking at low RPM's before its good and warm like it's missing a cylinder (if it doesn't stall). This hasn't been a day-ruiner yet, more of a nuisence but I'd like to know what's wrong (it always runs great once it warms up.)
Some notes:
1) I've noticed temp gauge stays very low even during WOT (130 degs). I've read it should be around 165 but mine never gets that high unless I'm on muffs with the hose only partially open. (Gauge does work, I've seen it climb to 170). Could this somehow be a bad thermostat that is ALWAYS open and doesn't allow the heat to climb quickly at startup?
2) I have NOT had the cylinders compression checked. I'm guessing it could be leaky gasket on a cylinder that "seals" itself once she's warm. (But, it runs fine once hot hence my nonchalance about this.)
I winterized the boat this morning and she's sealed up for winter, but I'd like to have a plan of attack come late March.
Any ideas? I'm dreading the "check the head gasket" response because she still runs (for now...).
Thanks for the help!
Long time reader, first time post:
I bought a 1998 Stingray (192RX) with a 3.0L Mercruiser this summer. It's been running well enough all year, but recently has had a pretty rough startup; it starts up easily but I need to keep the RPM's up around 2000 for about 4 minutes for the engine to warm up before I can back down on the throttle. After that, it runs fine, idles at 700.
I have noticed some shaking at low RPM's before its good and warm like it's missing a cylinder (if it doesn't stall). This hasn't been a day-ruiner yet, more of a nuisence but I'd like to know what's wrong (it always runs great once it warms up.)
Some notes:
1) I've noticed temp gauge stays very low even during WOT (130 degs). I've read it should be around 165 but mine never gets that high unless I'm on muffs with the hose only partially open. (Gauge does work, I've seen it climb to 170). Could this somehow be a bad thermostat that is ALWAYS open and doesn't allow the heat to climb quickly at startup?
2) I have NOT had the cylinders compression checked. I'm guessing it could be leaky gasket on a cylinder that "seals" itself once she's warm. (But, it runs fine once hot hence my nonchalance about this.)
I winterized the boat this morning and she's sealed up for winter, but I'd like to have a plan of attack come late March.
Any ideas? I'm dreading the "check the head gasket" response because she still runs (for now...).
Thanks for the help!