On Sun, 06 Mar 2005 18:07:00 -0500, Richard R. wrote:

200 HP Mercury

Went fishing last night (first time out this season) and water
pressure was only reading 10 psi.

That ended the great fishing expedition. I would not run the boat.

I picked up a new gauge today because the old one stuck some at lower
pressures. tested and still about 10 psi.

I also replaced the plugs because I thought I heard a slight miss last
PM.

What bothered me and heres the question. I had water on the plug in
#1 cylinder could this cause the loss of water pressure?? A cracked
head or cylinder?

I bought a new water impeller but wonder if I should install it.

If this was a Evinrude, I'd suspect the pressure line from the engine
to the gauge. That seems to be a consistent problem with one of my
engines. I have to disconnect the line at the engine and gauge and
blow it through every year.

In you case, the loss of water pressure could be related to water in
the cylinder as in you shouldn't have water in the cylinder. This
wouldn't be a recent model Optimax would it?

In any case, with water in the cylinder, it might be a good idea to
compression test the cylinders and see what's what.

If it's low, then you have a problem.

Later,

Tom