First post-hot light after running up on sandbar

[ALBATROSS]

Looking for wealth of knowledge on my first post. I've run a 1997 Evinrude 150 Ocean Pro with 600 hrs on it for 7 years. Started and ran great until last fall when I put it in some shallow water and had to push through some sand to get out. I tilted the engine and checked the intake screen...it looked clear. Got my first ever HOT light on my way back to ramp. Flushed motor when I got home and winterized. Changed water pump (new full kit) and stats this spring. Good telltale flow. First run this spring... HOT light. Can the water jacket get filled with sand/shells and still push strong water out the telltale. I googled this and some said to use a wire. Thanks for any and all suggestions. Trying to solve this myself before heading to mechanic...being honest here. I don't want to destroy this motor so I will take it in if I can't. Thanks!

 

[joereeves]

Usually the first area to get hit with the water pump flow is the exhaust baffle area... where the hose normally attaches that leads to the water telltale outlet.

As such, it's possible to have a strong flow to the telltale fittings BUT at the same time have the water passages of the crankcase (behind the cylinder heads) clogged with sand or whatever debris one might have had to struggle thru.

In your case, having done just that (running thru sand etc), if it were me, I'd be removing the cylinder heads to inspect those passages.

 

[ALBATROSS]

Thanks for the reply joereeves. I'vebeen stewing on this, running scenarios/questions past friends and other fellow boaters. I pulled the telltale plug and ran water hose with a large bin underneath so I could see what, if anything, came out. About a cup of sand came out. Then I pulled the stats and one at a time, flushed them with the hose. Tried running engine...bad idea...no telltale now. Now I'm concerned. Pulled lower unit...boatload of sand...still in water tube, throughout new pump housing...everywhere. Maybe two cups now. Cleaned, flushed everything. Cracked stat cap...will have to wait to run it until I get a.new one. I've tried to attach some pix...no luck...will let you know result in a few days. Thanks again for the help! Andrew

 

[joereeves]

Pics..... Upload to "PhotoBucket" (free prgm), then copy/paste method.

Lot of sand... Yeah, figured as much. Do yourself a favor and remove the cylinder heads to do the job right.

Good luck. Let us know how you make out.

 

[ALBATROSS]

Putting my order in for stat cover...I was looking at cylinder head gasket kit. It was pretty expensive. Do I need a new gasket if I remove the head? Do I need the whole kit or just the O rings? I'm looking at schematics on Boats.net 1997 Evinrude 150 EXEUC. I expected to see a head gasket listed.

 

[joereeves]

Many of those models use "O" Rings rather than gaskets. All you would need is whatever does the sealing, not a complete expensive kit.

When reinstalling the cylinder heads, be sure to torque the bolts to their specific values as per your service manual, usually 18 to 20 foot pounds... but double check to be sure. Torque the bolts in the following sequence whereas each number is a bolt.

13..14
9...10
5.....6
1.....2
4.....3
8.....7
12..11

 

[ALBATROSS]

Pics..... Upload to "PhotoBucket" (free prgm), then copy/paste method.

Lot of sand... Yeah, figured as much. Do yourself a favor and remove the cylinder heads to do the job right.

Good luck. Let us know how you make out.

O.K. Here are a few of the pics from the sand purge...