Broken Temp gauge

[fragmag]

The temp gauge on my 185 sport has stopped working. I'm going to take it to MM tommorow and have them look at it. I thought I would ask here first to see if anyone had any ideas on what I should check first. I have looked and nothing seems to be unattached. Also, there doesn't seem to be any clogs where the water flows in. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ghuskin]

Fragmag,

nice problem to have!

my whole boat has stopped working since October!

on a serious note, Is it the engine water temp gauge, or the temp gauge that tells the temp of the water you're boating in?

Gregg

 

[fragmag]

It is the engine water temp gauge.

 

[wish2fish]

water comes in? can we assume you have the 4.3 liter?

 

[fragmag]

yes i have the 4.3 liter

 

[fragmag]

OK, well, nevermind then. No help so I'll just take it in to Marine Max and let them take a look at it.

 

[wish2fish]

are you talking engine water temp or outside water temp? Your comment about water comming in is confusing. do you have the manual?

 

[fragmag]

Like I posted earlier I am talking about the engine water temp. When I run the boat, the temp gauge (for the motor) doesn't move. The mercury manual says that I should check the water inlet to ensure that water is in fact flowing thru the motor and that nothing is clogged or jammed. I checked that and water is flowing fine.
It does say (the mercury manual) that I may need to check the thermostat, but I'm not sure where it is located. I was hoping to get some help here from someone who might know what I should check, or anything to look for, but that didn't happened.

 

[wish2fish]

I don't have a 4.3 liter but the thermostat is usually located on the top of the engine where all the big water hoses meet. problem is if you remove the thermostat housing you might need to repalce a gasket.

I didn't understand what you were talking about with regard to water flow because if you did have blocked flow you would have an overheat problem which I assume didn't happen because you didn't say anything about alarms going off.

No temp change on the guage makes me suspect the gauge or the sending unit. Even if your thermostat is stuck open you should be showing some temp increase from start. Look up in your manual for temp sending unit and check the connections. also check connections on the back of the guage.

 

[fragmag]

I appreciate the help wish2fish, but I took in to Marine Max already. If something is still amiss when I get it back, then I will try what you suggested. Thanks again, though.

 

[wish2fish]

hopefully this will be covered under warranty.