Easy Oil Drain and T-Stat Question

[Dave 205]

If you have the easy oil drain (oil drain hose through the bilge plug) have you noticed the hose wearing early compared to your other hoses (and belt)? Doing maintenance on my low hour boat 5 yr. old boat for the first time, it seems that the quick drain hose feels hard and a bit scaly. Not like new like my other hoses. Has anyone changed one of these out yet?

And, I'm thinking about changing the thermostat - and it seems like all the cooling system schematics in public domain stop at 2001 for my engine. It seems that Mercruiser likely holds them proprietary for 10 years. My 2006 engine (mfg. Nov 2005) looks quite different. I think I know where it is at front of engine in housing where 4 hoses meet, but don't just want to start unbolting things. Can anybody describe pulling the t-stat in roughly the 2006 era 5.0L?

Thanks.

 

[paulswagelock]

My oil drain hose also feels scaley, but have not tried to change it.
Tstat is easy to change. See schematic below. Yours should look like this.

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_Pictures3.asp?dnbr=884715003&ivar=images/COMMON/1719.png&inbr=12834&bnbr=170&bdesc=Thermostat+and+Housing

See if that helps.

 

[Lazy Daze]

The hose is fine. It just gets that way from sitting in the bilge, surrounded by all that ugly stuff that makes it's way to the bilge. No worries - that's normal.

Changing the stat hasn't changed since 2001 - other than the housing possibly looking a little different. Procedure is the same. Don't use any sealant on the new gasket - if you do - be sure to keep it at a minimum and DO NOT put any around the two bronze (brass?) contacts.

 

[Dave 205]

Thanks guys for the comments. I recognized that parts diagram instantly - that's my set up. T-stat seems kind of buried in there, and didn't want to start digging until I knew for sure thats were it was. I've had a tough time navigating the mercruiser owned websites, I put in my engine serial # and it keeps pulling up an electronics part catalogue.

I figured that the drain hose sits in some dirt, but was worried that its location might make for a lot of heat. It is a very tough, thick hose. There is some light surface cracking on it at this point. The bilge was really clean when I got it, figured either by low use, or a lot of cleaning. I've seen bilge cleaners, but haven't looked into them. If they are harsh, I suppose that is another source of potential wear.