scooper321
Well-Known Member
I bought my 320DA about this time last year. On the survey report, it's lists the temp of the engines as 165 and 170. I don't recall when those where measured - that is, at idle or after the trial.
I've noticed that the engines appear to run hot. When I first power up, they jump quickly to about 170 each. Then, with very little load, they move up to between 170 and 220 on the gauges. Call it 190 or 200. There they stay, even as I cruise for a couple hours. Are these temps too hot?
From what I've learned and heard about this engines (FWC 5.7L Merc Horizon 350 MPI) these temps seem hot. I checked to coolant in the overflow and added a little (neither was alarmingly low) and also in the heat exchanger. In both engines' exchangers, the fluid was clean, no signs of debris. I ran them both and notice the the port engine overflow did rise (as I'd expect) as the engine warned. I didn't see as much movement in the stbd engine's overflow. In fact, I did notice a couple air bubbles in the hose from the stbd engine hear exchanger to the overflow. But at least I know they aren't low on coolant.
I thought maybe the thermostats were bad, but it seems odd that both would be bad at the same time?
I asked my mechanic, who thought at this time of year, in warmer water, the bottom probably has growth on it, blocking either the raw water intakes or outflows. I guess that would make more sense, but I think I've had this problem most of the season. When I first launched the spring, there was difficulty getting water exhausted from the engines as the idiots at my marina appear to have bottom painted over my sea water intakes and exhausts. They were opens up them, but I suppose they may not be 100% clear. And add in growth and maybe that is the problem. i have an appointment to haul out and power wash to bottom on Monday. And I'll examine the raw water ins and outs then too. But is there anything else glaringly obvious that I should be checking? Has anyone else seen this in these engines? Or, could it just be out of whack gauges (but both at the same time?)? I do plan on getting an IR thermometer next week to seek out temp hot spots in the system, too.
Any insight would be appreciated.
I've noticed that the engines appear to run hot. When I first power up, they jump quickly to about 170 each. Then, with very little load, they move up to between 170 and 220 on the gauges. Call it 190 or 200. There they stay, even as I cruise for a couple hours. Are these temps too hot?
From what I've learned and heard about this engines (FWC 5.7L Merc Horizon 350 MPI) these temps seem hot. I checked to coolant in the overflow and added a little (neither was alarmingly low) and also in the heat exchanger. In both engines' exchangers, the fluid was clean, no signs of debris. I ran them both and notice the the port engine overflow did rise (as I'd expect) as the engine warned. I didn't see as much movement in the stbd engine's overflow. In fact, I did notice a couple air bubbles in the hose from the stbd engine hear exchanger to the overflow. But at least I know they aren't low on coolant.
I thought maybe the thermostats were bad, but it seems odd that both would be bad at the same time?
I asked my mechanic, who thought at this time of year, in warmer water, the bottom probably has growth on it, blocking either the raw water intakes or outflows. I guess that would make more sense, but I think I've had this problem most of the season. When I first launched the spring, there was difficulty getting water exhausted from the engines as the idiots at my marina appear to have bottom painted over my sea water intakes and exhausts. They were opens up them, but I suppose they may not be 100% clear. And add in growth and maybe that is the problem. i have an appointment to haul out and power wash to bottom on Monday. And I'll examine the raw water ins and outs then too. But is there anything else glaringly obvious that I should be checking? Has anyone else seen this in these engines? Or, could it just be out of whack gauges (but both at the same time?)? I do plan on getting an IR thermometer next week to seek out temp hot spots in the system, too.
Any insight would be appreciated.