Outboard overheat

Bigtalljv · 28 November 2015, 21:53

Well boats still bring out the best in you. Of all the things I forgot to replace the flush plug on my outboard. Went fishing with my son today and everything seemed fine, I have engine temp on the display and actually do look at it. Made a 10 minute high speed run out to fishing grounds and after we went to idle to get lines in the water the overheat alarms sounded after a few minutes. Radioed harbor patrol and got a tow back in.

Once I knew there was a problem I could see the cooling water spewing out the back flush port where it's hidden from normal view. I think when i went fast the speed pushed enough water up the engine to keep things cool, once we idled the gap in the cooling system was an issue.

The mechanic said everything should be fine anybody disagree? Anything I should do? I saw it at 175 degrees, normal is 135-138.

Jason

jyasaki · 29 November 2015, 00:55

If you shut down as soon as the alarm went off, you should be fine.

I've had kelp cover the water intakes a few times, and it used to take several seconds for it to register before I shut down (I've got faster at it now.) Haven't had any problems yet.

jky

Bigtalljv · 30 November 2015, 16:28

So the engine seems just fine. "Had" to take it back out yesterday and see how it ran, like a dream as always. spectacular winter day, cold (for us) and flat, off shore winds, a very comfortable 40 mph everywhere I wanted to go :-) No fish but still learning the different areas.

Jason

jyasaki · 01 December 2015, 16:07

Grenades and a net. Efficiency is a big plus.
Just don't let the DFW or FBI see you.

jky