Seahorse, Rusty please help

[chrisbil]

I have a 175 Evinrude FICHT model #E175FSXEL serial # 4439333. I launched the boat last Wednesday and when idling the tempature was at 140 degrees. By the time I got to the end of the channel the gauge read close to 200. I increased the throttle alittle to around 2000 rpm,s and the tempature gauge went to 175 degrees. When I returned to the marina while idling the temputure went to 200 degrees again.

Is this normal for this motor? Last October I installed a new waterpump and the water is pumping good. The motor has 160 hours on it, pinned heads, new oil pump and software upgrade #5001212. Any help would be appreciated. Chris

[Jason Phillips]

The direct injection motors run hotter during idle to keep the spark plugs clean. These are still 2-strokes and normal idle will foul plugs. The heat keeps the fuel/oil burned off of the plugs allowing for longer plug life. 200 degrees is not something to be concerned about.

[chrisbil]

Thanks for the reply blazer. Does your boat with the etec have a tempature gauge?

I was wondering what your motor runs at. Thanks Chris

[Jason Phillips]

It doesn't but I've had it hooked up to the laptop to see the readings. I know from talking with some very knowledgeable people that they will run around 200 to 205 when idling. I believe the temp sensor is set to go off a little over 210 (it takes more than that to hurt it, that's just where the warning is), so they are idling at the edge. I may be off slightly on my temp numbers but not by much. I'm sure one of the pros will be on here to tell you the exact temps.

[SEAHORSE]

Double check your model number and re-post it so we know exactly which motor you have.

If it is a 2000 or later, it has 3 thermostats and a pressure relief valve that should be serviced.

[chrisbil]

Thanks Seahorse....

Will double check and get right back to you. I forgot to mention that it is a 1998 year motor if that helps.

[chrisbil]

Seahorse

I doubled checked the model # and it is a 1998 Evinrude FICHT model # E175FSXEL and the serial # is 4439333.

Hope this helps. It looks to me that there are 2 thermostats, one each on the top of each cylinder bank.

Thanks Chris

[SEAHORSE]

OK, the model number is still not correct but to be sure it is a '98 you will have an aircooled computer (ECU) , not a water cooled one, and the injectors will have a very large locknut retaining them where they screw into the cylinderheads.

Since it is not a 2000 or later it will only have 2 thermostats, one in each head.

Now for the interesting part. If you have the pinned heads and the factory dash mounted temp guage where the sender screws into the cylinderhead, it will read almost 40° hotter than what the coolant temperature is. There ain't no way around it unless you want to calculate the resistors required to put into the circuit to lower the temp reading to what the coolant water is. If you have another brand, especially the type that just touches the head and mounts in a Z shaped bracket, get rid of it.

If you don't know what pinned heads are or if your motor has them or not, go to page two: http://www.boatsetup.com/PlgIndexing.html

Now all of this don't mean a thing unless you know they are in good shape or will replace the thermostats and the complete water pump kit (be sure to get the right one, as there is an identical looking one that will cause the motor to overheat if you use the wrong one)

The only accurate way to check engine temperature is by using an infrared temp gun in the area that the service manual designates.

[chrisbil]

Thanks again seahorse...

I will get the heat gun and check it out for myself