Replacing thermostat...i think it was time

[onlybillhere]

So really the only thing I haven't replaced on my 60hp Mercury motor is the thermostat (and the reeds). So I ordered my kit and installed it the other day. I would say it was time:

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Now since doing that i noticed the water coming out the tell tale is much, much warmer then what it used to be, I'm guessing that's good cause it's removing the heat from the block? I never did have an overheat issue with the old thermostat so I guess we'll see how it works. I'm taking the pontoon out Friday to run it.

[TWB]

Oh I think you could have gotten another 15 minutes or so outta that one!

[onlybillhere]

Oh I think you could have gotten another 15 minutes or so outta that one!

I got a whole year out of it!! and who knows how long before I got the boat. I'll be upset if the motor doesn't work so well after replacing it

[curtiscapk]

I haven't replaced mine in 12 years!!!!

[ROLAND]

I'll probably take my boat in to have it serviced in 6 weeks or so. Don't believe we've ever replaced the thermostat.. probably should have the mechanic check that. Craig, how often do you replace the impeller? I normally replace mine every 3 years.

[curtiscapk]

I'll probably take my boat in to have it serviced in 6 weeks or so. Don't believe we've ever replaced the thermostat.. probably should have the mechanic check that. Craig, how often do you replace the impeller? I normally replace mine every 3 years.

I used to do 3 but it's going on 5 this year. Although it never touched water but once in 18. Probably need to do it again.

[ROLAND]

I'll probably take my boat in to have it serviced in 6 weeks or so. Don't believe we've ever replaced the thermostat.. probably should have the mechanic check that. Craig, how often do you replace the impeller? I normally replace mine every 3 years.

I used to do 3 but it's going on 5 this year. Although it never touched water but once in 18. Probably need to do it again.

yes, probably. my understanding is if you don't use your boat very often that you may need to change the impeller more often.. I'm told they dry out ( not sure that's the correct term ) from non use. Then again I've got an uncle up near Branson who hasn't changed the impeller on his motor in 10 years and so far never experienced any issues.

[curtiscapk]

It's been getting used and I always check my pee stream every time I fire it up.

[onlybillhere]

you know...since I replaced the thermostat my motor has been giving me all kinds of issues. So folks...DON'T REPLACE YOUR THERMOSTAT!!!!!

[TWB]

you know...since I replaced the thermostat my motor has been giving me all kinds of issues. So folks...DON'T REPLACE YOUR THERMOSTAT!!!!!

Uh oh. What happened?

[onlybillhere]

you know...since I replaced the thermostat my motor has been giving me all kinds of issues. So folks...DON'T REPLACE YOUR THERMOSTAT!!!!!

Uh oh. What happened?

Took the boat out on the water the day after replacing the thermostat. ran good, just me and the wife, so we were going about 18mph and 5100rpm (WOT). started to come back, running fine then all of the sudden it felt like something tugged on the boat and the motor dropped to 4000rpm (still at WOT). We boat on a river so sometimes we get Hyacinths caught up around the motor. Turn the boat off, raise up the motor, nothing wrapped around it. so i start back up, got tot WOT and only hit 4000rpm, can't go any higher. I put it in neutral, give it a rev just for a second to make sure the motor can still go over 4000rpm and it does. so we get back to the ramp and go home.
First thing I do is put the motor on muffs and run it and notice a slight leak of fuel at the fuel filter. replace that. I also drain the lower end oil just to see if maybe i broke a gear or something. oil is great looking (I changed it a couple months ago), no metal bits at all. Motor runs fine on muffs in neutral. Take it back out the next day, still nothing over 4000rpm. Take it back home.
So currently my boat has the fuel tank, all lines, primer bulb, carbs, fuel/water separator, and fuel pump removed off the boat for cleaning and inspection.

what a pain in the butt....

[ROLAND]

I'm no boat mechanic, but it almost sounds like you got a little trash in a your fuel line, possibly fuel filter. Just enough to restrict the flow of fuel somewhat without completely clogging it. Just a thought.

[onlybillhere]

Took the boat out today. New gas, new fuel/water seperator, new fuel connector to motor, carbs cleaned like never before, new fuel filter, new lines, fuel pump rebuilt....anything fuel related it has been done. Also replaced the prop and spark plugs.

And....still only 4000rpm

So boat is going into a shop on the 23rd...at this point I'm guessing something broke in the lower end or the top end just doesn't have the umph anymore. Lower end is a little over 2 years old bought from Mercury brand new.

[TWB]

New New New New New New...

And....still only 4000rpm

DANG! Sorry to hear that Bill. I hope it turns out to be minor. Keep us updated.

[onlybillhere]

Dropped off the boat this morning for them to look at it Tuesday....fingers crossed it's something dumb and simple.