Are water pressure gauges useful or waste of money?

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by Trimix

So, wouldnt it just be simpler to measure engine temp then ?

No, engine temp is normally water temp, so if you've no water, your gauge won't show an overheat.

For me, the water pressure gauge is the most important ones on my dash. Cheap as chips too, and ever so easy to fit. Hardest bit is running the pipe from motor to dash.

Faria 30 PSI Water Pressure Gauges

[Trimix]

OK, fair point. Just where do they plug in to measure the pressure then ?

Where does the "tube" go ?

[Cookee]

As a racer with a lifter we always used water pressure gauges as if you lifted the engine too high it was possible to lose water pressure and cook the engine, every outboard has valves to create back pressure so that the water doesn't just rush through but actually stays in there for a while, as others have said too much is just as bad as too little. Inboard engines have an add on system that monitor exhaust temperatures and sound a warning but most outboards also have something built in as well - without a lifter a water pressure gauge is a luxury but can be helpful in determining impeller wear or if you have a salt build up in an old powerhead.

We measured pressure at the powerhead on the XR2 and it is pretty constant throughout because of the poppet valves creating back pressure.

[4str]

I feel a real possibility is to get a plastic bag obstructing the water intake. I decided to install an alarm gauge as an early warning. This is the one I installed:
http://www.fwmurphy.com/products/gag...20p-25p-series

Its wired to a piezo alarm in the dash. The switch contacts are adjustable with a hex wrench on the gauge face. So far it has worked well with no problems.

[9D280]

Temp gauge is good for telling you why it just failed.

I put an N2k pressure gauge on mine. I may put an isolation valve on the telltale as in theory all it now does is spray my aux with brine. Valve because if the electrickery fails I can turn it back on.

And it being off means slightly more coolant for the head...

As an aside I have 2 engines with no telltale. Granted neither have a deadman either...

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by Cookee

We measured pressure at the powerhead on the XR2 and it is pretty constant throughout because of the poppet valves creating back pressure.

Poppet valve on an XR2, you sure about that?..... no stats either!

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by Trimix

OK, fair point. Just where do they plug in to measure the pressure then ?

Where does the "tube" go ?

Simple pipe fitting into a water chamber, or sometimes a tee piece in a water hose. Pipe is a tiny plastic pipe that goes from fitting to gauge.

[simsy]

Engine temp is water temp, unless you have a thermostat... As pump deteriates the thermostat will just open a bit more until one day it is fully open and the engine starts to over heat. Pressure guage is a good idea, but not for everyone...

[captnjack]

Originally Posted by simsy

Engine temp is water temp, unless you have a thermostat... As pump deteriates the thermostat will just open a bit more until one day it is fully open and the engine starts to over heat. Pressure guage is a good idea, but not for everyone...

Pretty much every outboard made has a thermostat.