Serial Number: 06145393 (or the 6 might be a G)
1994 Mercury 2.5 litre XRi Engine rebuilt about 200 hours ago by previous owner
This is my first boat ('94 Gambler Intimidator), and I recently used the gas motor for the first time.
Problem: Engine fired up instantly, and idled smoothly in the no wake area. Boat popped up on plane instantly, and I ran about 1/2 to 3/4 throttle because this thing is faster than what I'm used to. After running a few miles, I got an alarm siren. Solid, constant, which I understand is an overheat alarm. So I shut down, and fished for about an hour. Decided to head back to the launch because of the alarm. Fired it up, no alarm, got up on plane and started running, no alarm. After a mile or two, the alarm came back so I shutdown. Fished for awhile, then fired it up and idled all the way back to the launch. I'd say it was a 20 minute run at idle speed. NO ALARM. After researching, it sounds like the poppet valve could be a very good candidate for the problem. Do you agree? Is there anything else I should be looking at or replacing while doing this? I'm a "you tube" mechanic (meaning most mechanical work I tackle is after watching a how-to video that says the job takes 1 hour and it takes me 4 lol), and have zero experience with outboard engines.