Logo
FULL SITE MENU

high temp light

J

jrzskwert

New member
Hi. My 1994 crusader 454xl high temp light is on and steam is coming from exhaust only a few minutes after starting the engine. I have run it and the temp never gets over 160F, but the high temp light stays on.
Last year I did have an overheating problem and resolved that with the replacement of my raw water pump. ( I also got u-tube cleaned, cleaned out the heat exchanger, replaced the thermostat and replaced the fresh water pump, replaced the exhaust elbows too.) Everything was fine and there was no steam in the exhaust.
Since the light came on this season, I have checked the strainer and also pulled a couple of spark plugs to check if there was any indication of water. Both looked good. I am also going to check the impeller even though that was brand new mid season last year.
Any ideas what might be the cause?

Thanks:)
 
Your best bet will be to investigate further using an infrared thermometer . You can point the laser dot within a few feet of the target and have concrete data regarding your potential problems with the cooling system. While you can buy one for $150.00....you can get one for 24.95 as well at Lowe' or Harbor freight. I have both and no difference between them. You will surely use them frequently and the guessing game gets eliminated
 
What exactly was done to "clean the U tube cooler"? Was it either dissassembled or acid cleaned? A simple backflush will not adequately clear a old cooler. If your is original, it is time to replace it. 17 years is long for a cooler exposed to salt water, and a oil to water breech will be very unwelcome. As mentioned before, if the risers are over 4 year old and salt water cooled, they need to be replaced as well.
 
You may have more than one issue. The points above are all valid re steam. The light may be triggered by high temp but your overheat last year may have also cooked the temp switch (common). Buy an IR temp gun as mentioned, every boat should have one on board. Shoot st the switch base and see what it reads. Won't be exact will let you know if the switch is reading right or not and if a temp issue really exists.
 
Back
Top