2006 Optimax Steam/Smoke Overheat

[bamajoker]

On my 2006 Optimax 175 after a long run then at idle the steam will roll out it waves from the exaust, like there will be a little then like water dumps in and more steam comes out.....

Its been doing this for a while but a mechanic i talked to said it was fine i had good water pressure..... This made me leary.....

Then this week i was fishing at a dam and i would idle up at 2500-3000 rmps or so and my alarm would go off .... if i ran a good ways it would be ok....

Then i get a reply to my you tube video of the steam and a guy tells me my poppet valve it stuck open is this true?

Here is the video

[EuropeanAM]

A little more information will be necessary.... a video gives very little information.

-Engine temp when steaming
-AMBIENT TEMP AND HUMIDITY
-Water Pressure AT IDLE
-Water Pressure at WOT (Wide Open Throttle)

Additionally- WHEN was your WATER PUMP LAST REPLACED? When chasing down cooling system problems- ALWAYS, ALWAYS start at the SOURCE: The Water Pump.

Highly recommend a COMPLETE KIT (96148A8 is a suitable, low cost kit for this engine).

Pay SPECIAL attention to the gaskets BELOW the impeller plate and BELOW the water pump base. Any abnormalities, tears, or damage to these gaskets can result in aerated water supply, and a wide variety of cooling problems.

[bamajoker]

At idle maybe 1psi. At wot. 8-14. Depending on trim.

The motor will not steam for for a few seconds then steam will boil out a few seconds.
I only get the alarm if I go a good ways at about 10mph.

Weather doesn't have an issue it does it any temp/humidity

[Ranger519VS]

You are obviously having water supply problems if you are getting temp alarm on prolonged idling. You may get enough pressure at higher rpm but at low rpm the water pump can't supply enough volume if it is getting weak.

Like Don says, Start with the water pump, then check thermostats and the poppet valve. (If the poppet valve is stuck open it could be dumping water and not allowing enough water into the upper cylinder area at idle.)

[bamajoker]

I will check when I get home , how can I tell if poppet is stuck open.?

Also anyone got a diagram of where thermostats are located?

Going to replace water pump, even though its barley got prolly 50hrs on it

[X19 Indy]

I believe your water pressure is way to low, maybe critically low if you are running 8 psi at WOT. The minimum accepted PSI at WOT is 14. I have a buddy who didn't think he needed to replace his water pump annually and would go 2 or 3 or 4 years and thought as long as it was peeing he "was good". He also got over heat alarms after idling for a while. Wrong! He was running down the lake at WOT all of a sudden bang, smoke, oil slick, boat dead in the water with a rod sticking kit of the side of the block. No rebuild for that one. IMHO, the $39 a year that I spend for a water pump kit is good insurance.

[bamajoker]

Ive put water pumps on older motors anything special with an optimax....?

I notice Manual say use Perfect Seal and 2-4-C With Teflon?

ive never used this with older boats.

Manual says steam pockets can build up in power head? is this whats going on>?

[bamajoker]

I thi9nk i will just be safe and change impeller and stats....

After reading across the next i found a lot of opti'z steaming with Stuck stats.......

Can anyone help with part numbers?

[EuropeanAM]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bamajoker &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I thi9nk i will just be safe and change impeller and stats....

After reading across the next i found a lot of opti'z steaming with Stuck stats.......

Can anyone help with part numbers?

</td></tr></table>

GOOD decision. Water pump at a MINIMUM.

Water Pump: 96148A8 (most cost effective complete kit)

Thermostats: 833072003 (two required)

Thermostat Gaskets: 62386001 (two required).

For future reference, you're welcome to look up parts on our website, 24 hours a day at: http://www.europeanmarine.org OR http://www.mercurypartsexpress...arine

[bamajoker]

Do I really need. To use Perfect Seal and 2-4-C With Teflon, when changing the water pump?

[EuropeanAM]

Perfect Seal would be necessary if there are ANY surface abnormalities between the case and water pump base. Although not overly expensive, a can of this stuff will go a LONG way (we go through about 1 can a year in our shop).

2-4-C is a high-quality, Teflon based grease (used on driveshaft splines, water tube o-rings, shift shaft splines, propshaft, and various grease zerks). It's my first recommendation... but for the purposes of changing the water pump out... most any high-quality grease will suit.

You will also need some clear, or black RTV Silicone to re-create the "dam" just aft of the water pump (this "dam" is in place to help prevent exhaust gases from being forced into the water pump). Should be very obvious what this is once the gearcase has been pulled.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT use any form of grease on the impeller. Recommend "Dawn Dishsoap" as a suitable assembly lubricant to aid in impeller installation.

[bamajoker]

One more thing if my popper valve is stuck open what would I need to replace? Also is I just check it will I need new gaskets?

[Ranger519VS]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bamajoker &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">I will check when I get home , how can I tell if poppet is stuck open.?

Also anyone got a diagram of where thermostats are located?

Going to replace water pump, even though its barley got prolly 50hrs on it</td></tr></table>

The water pump and lower unit are pretty much like any other outboard. I recently had an overheating issue that a new WP fixed even though I thought it looked ok.

The only way to check the poppet is to pull it apart. It is behind the flanged plate below the motor on the lower right side of the motor (starboard). Sticks etc. get stuck in them sometimes (just like the thermostats). You will need to replace the gaskets if you are taking it apart. You will have to remove the lower motor cowling to get at the flange.

Go to Don's website and look at Parts Express. Enter the serial number of your motor and you will get exploded views of the different systems on the motor and a parts list. This is extremely good for reference.

[EuropeanAM]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bamajoker &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">One more thing if my popper valve is stuck open what would I need to replace? Also is I just check it will I need new gaskets?</td></tr></table>

Poppet valve components are available as individual pieces (grommet, poppet, diaphram, gaskets, etc)... OR as a complete poppet kit (quite cost effective) for 2.5L models.

Although not impossible for the poppet to be the cause of your problem, it would be very difficult to achieve ANY water pressure at idle if the poppet were hanging open.

Remember... the poppet valve is "water pressure actuated".

[bamajoker]

Ok ell I'm gonna pick up the parts this evening Nd gice it a go.

[bamajoker]

Took right side thermostat out AMD teested in a pot of water. it opend up fine.

Didnt takr left side out it was in wired spot to get to. Gonna change water pump in morning. Hope that fixes problem..

[bamajoker]

Got the Pump Installed. The bottom Gasket Was Torn and in impeller did have some cracks, also part of the Dam was missing it appeared and looked like exhaust was getting to other side..

Going to go to the river and run it this evening.

If its still Steaming i guess ill move on to the Stats.

[scotty34]

Don't forget to check the debri strainer located in the exhaust plate port side. This filters the water to the air compressor, if the compressor gets hot it will give overheat alarm also.

[bamajoker]

I may be wrong but if the Compressor is overheating The motor will not reduce RPMS right?

But either way i guess Ill check this out.
Anyone have a diagram for this?

[bamajoker]

Also Don i checked the Site and i could not find a poppet valve kit.... do you have a part number for that.