Engine Temp/Starting???

Hello all. I have just got my hands on an '80 Nautique that I took out for the first time the other night. Upon unloading, the boat started really hard, but eventually fired up. We got out on the water and it ran like a top. I noticed the temp gauge was creeping up at cruising speed (30mph) to around 190-200, but then it would go down to around 160-170 when we slowed down. Doesn't seem like an impeller problem. Anyway, I shut it off and that was it. It cranked hard a couple of times, but then just acted like the battery was dead after a couple tries. Had a new battery on hand and same story. What could this be. Where should I start before going to the mechanic. The boat has a new starter, solenoid, and cables. Connections?? Also, how hot should this thing run. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

First thing I would do is to warm it up again and pull the spark plugs , crank it and see if water comes out of some cylinders . Sounds like hydro lock to me . But I am deffinatly not an expert. Check oil to see if it has gone way over full or if it looks like chocolate milk

Hey,

I had an impeller that dry rotted and all the fins came off. The engine was struggling to start and finally the raw water pump locked up and smoked the belt. Packed my stuff up and went home. When I opened the pump up the impeller was shredded. I found pieces of the impeller in a lot of the hoses.

Check your impeller and hoses for impelller parts. You may have some old impeller parts that have moved to the thermostat housing or back to the transmission cooler.

I would change the impeller and buy a spare just to be on the safe side.


Clew In

Do you have any history on the motor? Did you buy the starter, or the previous owner? I have had problems with starters, and slow cranking, pulling to many amps, and roasting wires. Possible bad rebuild on starter...