Folks, this is my first post in this forum, though I am fairly active on bayliner forum. I wanted to get input from outside that group for new perspectives. I am a very experienced boater and owned a lot of boats over the years.
I am a bit perplexed though regarding my current 1994 mercruiser 5.0 w alphaone gen 2. The issue is starboard exhaust components running much hotter than port. It is raw water cooled. I have replaced lower unit impeller, recirculating water pump, all new manifolds and risers, checked flappers, new tstat, confirmed good flow discharge very each side......and still the starboard side runs warmer than port. At idle and below 2000 rpms both sides remain cool enough for comfortable touch. But at planing speed of 3000 rpms, the starboard side raises to 185degrees (measured with ir gun) and I found top of manifold on forward end read 208 degrees. The engine temp gage and ir reading of block showed held steady at 160 degrees. No engine overheat.
I have seen a lot of conflicting information on the web about this, some saying it's a problem , others saying it is a normal result with merc raw water cooled system due to discharge route of water. I have noticed that the supply hose from tstat to manifold on starboard is warmer than very cool supply to port. At same time, the raw water in is next to port supply to manifold, while the engine block discharge from water pump is right next to the supply to starboard.
Bottom line question for fellow mercruiser owners is.....if the engine is running great and not overheating, how worrisome us the exhaust getting up to 200 degrees? Appreciate any feedback.
I am a bit perplexed though regarding my current 1994 mercruiser 5.0 w alphaone gen 2. The issue is starboard exhaust components running much hotter than port. It is raw water cooled. I have replaced lower unit impeller, recirculating water pump, all new manifolds and risers, checked flappers, new tstat, confirmed good flow discharge very each side......and still the starboard side runs warmer than port. At idle and below 2000 rpms both sides remain cool enough for comfortable touch. But at planing speed of 3000 rpms, the starboard side raises to 185degrees (measured with ir gun) and I found top of manifold on forward end read 208 degrees. The engine temp gage and ir reading of block showed held steady at 160 degrees. No engine overheat.
I have seen a lot of conflicting information on the web about this, some saying it's a problem , others saying it is a normal result with merc raw water cooled system due to discharge route of water. I have noticed that the supply hose from tstat to manifold on starboard is warmer than very cool supply to port. At same time, the raw water in is next to port supply to manifold, while the engine block discharge from water pump is right next to the supply to starboard.
Bottom line question for fellow mercruiser owners is.....if the engine is running great and not overheating, how worrisome us the exhaust getting up to 200 degrees? Appreciate any feedback.