Arminius
Well-Known Member
- Oct 30, 2019
- 1,068
- Boat Info
- Bowrider 200 Select, 2003
- Engines
- 5.0L MPI, 260 hp w/Alpha 1 Drive
I am happier knowing that my pick-up is in the water, unobstructed. I've only had outboards with very visible telltales (piss-holes) before. An impeller rides in an oval cavity and the volume of the wedge shaped segments are diminished as it rotates to create pressure. The lobes are deformed by being forced into the diminishing radius cavity walls. The only lubrication the bulging lobes have is a thin film of water. Impellers don't last many minutes when run dry. You really don't have to change impellers as frequently as every 2 years if you are confident that they have been kept wet.
Anyway, I put a Sierra water pressure gauge kit (for outboards) in my boat. The curved dash worried me a little but the result is good. The gauge matches except the needle is red rather than white. Dash material drills easily with a 2 & 1/16th" hole saw even though 3/4" thick. Took 1/2" off the prongs of the retainer bracket.
Put a female "T" block under the pressure sensor screwed (1" deep socket) into the power steering fluid cooler with a brass close nipple and the hose barb that came with the kit. Ran the supplied black tubing up to the dash in a fairly continuous pitch. Instructions state that the line must have air in it to function. "Freeze damage could result if water migrates up into the gauge." This only seems to be a reported problem if the tubing's connection to the gauge leaks so I just kept it simple and direct.
Normal pressures are 1-5 psi at idle and 7-17 psi at WOT according to Service Manual #36, p. 3A-22, ECM 555 Diagnostics.
Will repost if there is an unexpected problem.
![DSCN0190[1].JPG](http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?attachments/dscn0190-1-jpg.82372/ "DSCN0190[1].JPG")
![DSCN0193[1].JPG](http://www.clubsearay.com/index.php?attachments/dscn0193-1-jpg.82373/ "DSCN0193[1].JPG")
Anyway, I put a Sierra water pressure gauge kit (for outboards) in my boat. The curved dash worried me a little but the result is good. The gauge matches except the needle is red rather than white. Dash material drills easily with a 2 & 1/16th" hole saw even though 3/4" thick. Took 1/2" off the prongs of the retainer bracket.
Put a female "T" block under the pressure sensor screwed (1" deep socket) into the power steering fluid cooler with a brass close nipple and the hose barb that came with the kit. Ran the supplied black tubing up to the dash in a fairly continuous pitch. Instructions state that the line must have air in it to function. "Freeze damage could result if water migrates up into the gauge." This only seems to be a reported problem if the tubing's connection to the gauge leaks so I just kept it simple and direct.
Normal pressures are 1-5 psi at idle and 7-17 psi at WOT according to Service Manual #36, p. 3A-22, ECM 555 Diagnostics.
Will repost if there is an unexpected problem.
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