bluewingjb
Well-known member
Ok so here is a quick run down.. a couple months back I noticed the engine, a 1997 2.5L fuel injected Mariner 225 Super Mag, running around 190 degrees or so.. I am running about 4500 at the time maybe 50mph.. I will say before I started having issues it was running about 150 or so in the 90 degree water. After that time of it running hot I went out several times with no issue. Water pressure is about 9 psi at 4500 and 12-14 at WOT. So the other day I go out and its running 200... set the alarm off.. I immediately came off the gas and let it cool down and went right back on the trailer with it. I did the swap of the thermostats with a quarter that I drilled a 1/4 inch hole in. That ruled out the thermostats and its still running to hot. I installed a new water pump and got it down to 175 at WOT or pretty much any throttle setting.. Have very forceful stream coming out of the discharge tube and the pressure on the stream seems to correspond to the throttle.. I never see the PSI gauge drop to indicate the poppet opening... I took the poppet out today and inspected and it looks ok, it didnt seem to be stuck or anything but the spring did feel very stiff and I figure it would take a quit a bit of pressure to move the poppet. I understand the poppet is supposed to opened around 3000rpms I was watching the water pressure gauge when throttling up and never saw it drop or fluctuate. I have ordered a new poppet but do not have a lot of faith that it will fix the issue.. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Again I will say that prior to the issue I have no problems and about the warmest it ran even in the summer was in the 160 range.. Thanks for any help or ideas.
Update Ok so after changing the water pump and getting the temp from 200 down to 175 and changing out the poppet, water was coming out the weep hole, I got the temp down to about 170! Still not good and water pressure was only 9 PSI at WOT. I called the outboard engine Wizard James Perry. He asked if I had changed the lower part of the water pump? I said no only the impeller, plate gaskets and such and that since I had owned the boat, 2008, I had never replaced the lower part of the pump assembly. He said that was probably where the problem was so I picked up the lower housing and gasket from him and came home to tackle the pump again. Well I was actually happy to find part of the lower housing gasket was basically gone!! Installed the new stuff and did a quick op test on the water muffs.. WOW !!! Idle water psi went from about 1 to 6+!! So I can only imagine what it will be now at WOT.. I have a feeling my temp and pressure issues are done and will water test tomorrow!!! So next time you all change your water pump I would suggest you do the whole thing and not just the impeller area. A complete kit with both upper and lower housing and all related gaskets and orings is only $50. Maybe you could get away with doing just the impeller every other time but in my opinion if you are going to drop the lower unit to do the pump then just do the complete pump and know you are good to go.
I want to say I cant thank James Perry enough. I wore his number out troubleshooting this and he was more than just helpful. If you have any issues with your engine he is the MAN and I cant say enough about him! Thanks again James!!
Update Ok so after changing the water pump and getting the temp from 200 down to 175 and changing out the poppet, water was coming out the weep hole, I got the temp down to about 170! Still not good and water pressure was only 9 PSI at WOT. I called the outboard engine Wizard James Perry. He asked if I had changed the lower part of the water pump? I said no only the impeller, plate gaskets and such and that since I had owned the boat, 2008, I had never replaced the lower part of the pump assembly. He said that was probably where the problem was so I picked up the lower housing and gasket from him and came home to tackle the pump again. Well I was actually happy to find part of the lower housing gasket was basically gone!! Installed the new stuff and did a quick op test on the water muffs.. WOW !!! Idle water psi went from about 1 to 6+!! So I can only imagine what it will be now at WOT.. I have a feeling my temp and pressure issues are done and will water test tomorrow!!! So next time you all change your water pump I would suggest you do the whole thing and not just the impeller area. A complete kit with both upper and lower housing and all related gaskets and orings is only $50. Maybe you could get away with doing just the impeller every other time but in my opinion if you are going to drop the lower unit to do the pump then just do the complete pump and know you are good to go.
I want to say I cant thank James Perry enough. I wore his number out troubleshooting this and he was more than just helpful. If you have any issues with your engine he is the MAN and I cant say enough about him! Thanks again James!!
