12v71 operating temp in warm water

[cenger]

The Connecticut River where I boat is over 80 degrees. I noticed that my engines were running warmer than usual (185 degrees) when I put it on the pins to blow things out. Normally I stay at 170 degrees. Would water temp effect engine temps that much? I replaced impeller and water pump cams at the beginning of the season.

 

[Briankinley2004]

I run in 80 degree water a lot. 180 degrees at cruise sounds about right. You might want to make sure your heat exchangers and strainers are clean. Also your gauges could be off a bit if they are electric. The ones in my engine room are mechanical and are more accurate.

 

[madhatter1]

The gauges on my 46 read a bit higher than actual. Verified with the mechanic a few weeks ago. Prefer it that way so I panic before panic is due.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Recently cruised hard to the yard for some window work and both ran about 187 at cruise on a clean bottom, about 5 degrees above where I like. Coolant is 50/50 DD PowerCool premix. Seawater temp was 88.8 degrees; this is a more than month sooner than I’ve ever seen. At the yard, I replaced the impellers and scoped the HEs and coolers which were clean. Ran back from the yard 10 days later experiencing identical readings from mechanicals. Considering both motors ran within three degrees of each other, I’d say the ambient water temp (+9 degrees from last cruise) made a difference. Variables were 10 days of growth plus 4,026 lbs additional fuel on return trip. I would never intentionally start a planing trip with that much growth this time of year (one year on the bottom). Noted +\- 3-1/2GPH per side increase in the burn on return. So it’s likely the impellers made a difference most things being equal with motors working harder. Both motors returned to 165 simultaneously on slowdown also indicating good system health. It’s just HOT!

 

[cenger]

Thank you, I feel better. The river does not usaully get this warm this early in the summer. I had just put in 1,000 gals of fuel in which probably didn't help. Both engines returned to 160degrees when I pulled back to idle speed. To be safe the yard is going to run barnacle buster through the engines this week before I head out on a long fishing trip.