got the 21 pitch prop on there get's up to 4K RPM no problem, a bit of trim and
I'm at 4200-4400 at WOT -- looks like that's dialed in.

However, After running around for about 2 hours -- I came to something in the
water, so I came to a stop -- the engine sputtered & died Much like an engine
that got too hot. The temp guage never went above 150 -- which does not mean it
didn't go above 150.

I started the engine; and again; it acted like it was hot -- it turned over slow
& then started. I noticed Steam in the back off the water. (that can't be
good)

I pulled the "out" pipe off the engine water pump and turned the engine over
(w/o the coil being hot) and water came out no problefm -- so it's getting
water.

Question is:
Where should I start to look for problems?

Stuck closed thermostat?
water pump in the outdrive (if so -- is it an impeller? And where is it?)

Thanks to all.
-josh

(mercruiser alpha gen I engine/outdrive)

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On Fri, 03 Sep 2004 17:03:30 -0700, Josh Assing
wrote:

got the 21 pitch prop on there get's up to 4K RPM no problem, a bit of trim and
I'm at 4200-4400 at WOT -- looks like that's dialed in.

However, After running around for about 2 hours -- I came to something in the
water, so I came to a stop -- the engine sputtered & died Much like an engine
that got too hot. The temp guage never went above 150 -- which does not mean it
didn't go above 150.

I started the engine; and again; it acted like it was hot -- it turned over slow
& then started. I noticed Steam in the back off the water. (that can't be
good)

I pulled the "out" pipe off the engine water pump and turned the engine over
(w/o the coil being hot) and water came out no problefm -- so it's getting
water.

Question is:
Where should I start to look for problems?

Stuck closed thermostat?
water pump in the outdrive (if so -- is it an impeller? And where is it?)

Thanks to all.
-josh

(mercruiser alpha gen I engine/outdrive)

That outdrive has a inlet screen and it may be starting to clog up.
Lift the drive up and check the screens. Check with a mechanic to see
exactly where the screen and filter is located. If I remember
correctly, it's located very near the gear housing.

Later,

Tom

That outdrive has a inlet screen and it may be starting to clog up.
Lift the drive up and check the screens. Check with a mechanic to see
exactly where the screen and filter is located. If I remember
correctly, it's located very near the gear housing.

The screen isn't blocked -- already checked that -- water's getting up to the
block --- becuase I disconnected the coil; and pulled one of the houses off
(that lead to the power stearing fluid heat exchanger) and turned the engine
over -- water was tossed out pretty well...

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Today's results....

Engine is NOT overheating -- checked it with an infrared temp reader..
However, timing was off - at 12 instead of 8btdc -- I adjusted that.

It runs way better. However still dies when coming off the throttle.

Idle is set at 800 rpm (by using a reliable tach)

I had planned to replace the plugs,cap, wires & rotor tuesday. could these
cause a problem like this? THe cap definately needs replacement -- has large
chunks of crud on the contacts.

However, it kinda acts like a fuel issue... becuase once it dies, 80% of the
time, it needs to be cranked over a few times before it starts; the other 20% it
starts right away.

could it be a fuel pump or float issue? Or carb adjustment?


1990 GM based MerCruiser 5.0L engine:

so today's Q's:
1) what's a good starting point for the two barrel carb adustment?
2) i looked at the thermostat -- it really wasn't there "whole" - so I took it
out; however it kinda fell out -- it looks like there's a sleeve holding it down
-- how do you remove that sleeve?


On this image:

http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/PXI...596/21_500.gif

THe sleeve is #10

The carb looks like this:
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/PXI...596/16_500.gif
(they don't seem to offer a rebuild kit...)



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