Temperature gauge not reading above 151 degrees

[AR185]

The temp gauge in my 185 Sport with 3.0L Mercruiser, is not reading above 151 degrees. Surely the engine's actual temperature after constant running is higher than this?

What should I check?

 

[Quint4]

You probably have a 145 degree thermostat...other than that a bad gauge...or thermostat stuck open.

 

[northern]

We found the dash gauges can be out up to 25f. I got a hand held heat gun, seems to tell you what is the real temperasture. We have twin 454s with 145 thermosat and the engines temperatures at the thermostat with the heat gun is 159f. One gauge reads 135 the other 150.

 

[stevea661]

Mine reads 165 at the sender and 180 at the gauge:huh:

 

[AR185]

Seems the temp gauge situation worked itself out. Now, it reads within the normal operating temperatures. I did nothing to correct the problem other than use the boat.

 

[Quint4]

Thermostat now unstuck.

 

[Nehalennia]

Thermostat now unstuck.

yep