Overheating alarm question

C

cdory25

New member
I'm hoping this has happened to someone else so they can help me figure this out. As I prepare for a lengthy journey traveling 100+ miles south on the St. Johns river to the St. Johns River gathering in a week, I remembered a problem I have had since I've owned Blues Cruiser.

After cruising above 4k rpm for a while (sometimes you just gotta get somewhere) the hot engine alarm comes on (light next to the key) making an awful, annoying and loud noise (beep, beep, beep...) The only way to stop it is to turn off the motor and wait 5 minutes or more.

The motor (Honda 135) doesn't appear overly hot and the 'pee hole' is clear and flowing normally. The motor has 500+ hours on it and was serviced last summer including a new water pump impeller. I could disconnect the alarm but don't want to risk damage to the Honda. Any ideas? I don't have time to take it in for a repair and still do the float next weekend.

Thanks!
John
 
I think your motor could be having a sensor issue. Normally when and if they really do overheat you know it. But, I'm not sure that when the alarm goes off the temperature is actually high enough to call it a real overheating condition - just getting close. Checking the thermostat never hurts either and it could be partially stuck closed.
 
Most likely a Thermostat, but also there may be salt build up. Do you always rinse the motor with fresh water after each salt water use? I would not ignore the alarm. Also a IR therometer should be part of the kit, to check the temps.
 
thataway":30x30fxx said:
Most likely a Thermostat, but also there may be salt build up. Do you always rinse the motor with fresh water after each salt water use? Also a IR therometer should be part of the kit, to check the temps.
Click to expand...

ALWAYS rinse after using. What's an IR thermometer?

Thanks!
 
May not be the motor. I had an intermittent hard to find overheating alarm.

Turns out it was not the motor at all. Problem was in the controls located in the shifter and throttle.
 
cdory25":1b0m3cvp said:
DaveS":1b0m3cvp said:
I vote Thermostat. I keep a spare on board and it only takes 15 minutes to change it out. :lol:
Click to expand...

I like it! Did you have similar symptoms?
Click to expand...

I have had on two occasions. The first time I didn't have a replacement thermostat with me, so would motor along on my twin engine until the overheated one cooled down, then would run it until the alarm sounded again and shut it down again. The second time I had a replacement thermostat and changed it out when I arrived at the destination of my overnight trip.

FYI, when I arrive home after cruising, I faithfully flush my engines with salt away.
 
cdory25":2qppxly8 said:
thataway":2qppxly8 said:
Most likely a Thermostat, but also there may be salt build up. Do you always rinse the motor with fresh water after each salt water use? Also a IR therometer should be part of the kit, to check the temps.
Click to expand...

ALWAYS rinse after using. What's an IR thermometer?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

InfraRed Thermometer. Handy to have. Another good use for them is to check your trailer hub temperatures.
 
BrentB":1cwxqmes said:
I bought Yamaha Diagnostic Software and cables to pull codes from the ECM. Has anyone scanned it for codes?
Click to expand...

Can you use an OBD II scanner?

This happened once a long time ago and a friend cleaned out the 'pee hole' and that seemed to fix it for a while but it has done it a couple times in the last year. That's it though, only about 5 times in the last 1000 hours. It's just decided to act up right before a planned adventure next weekend. I had it serviced last summer and they changed the impeller and said no codes.

Oh and the gas gauge has suddenly stopped working, probably because I didn't have a full tank last time it was stored.

Lacking an IR thermometer I guess it wouldn't hurt to change out the thermostat. What tools do I need and where would you suggest I procure said thermostat(s) in a timely matter. What temp? Internet or Dealer?

Thanks!
 
Here is a kit
http://www.brpdiagnostics.com/honda-dr- ... iagnostic/

There may be others but you can search the web for them

I would invest in a set of Honda factory manuals, too

m2cw is replace all thermostats first

Oh and the gas gauge has suddenly stopped working, probably because I didn't have a full tank last time it was stored.

I would suscept a loose connection at the meter or tank , blown fuse or a bad ground

I purchase parts locally and on the net
Boats.net and BOE at http://www.boemarine.com/categories/hon ... parts.html

sale Honda parts (both have online diagrams) but I would contact a local dealer first for a couple reasons....... they work on the OBs on a regular basis thus knowledgable and they have sevice or tech bulletins which are invaluable sources of information but I dont access to them .. second I am not a master mechanic sometimes it is money well spent to have a pro perform the work ....folks like Marc at Wefings, Les Lampman, Matt Gurnsey at Kitsap are on the list and freely provide keen insights and good service with peace of mind

best
 
I talked to the BJ at First Coast Marine in St. Augustine and he thinks that replacing the thermostats, that's right, there's two of them, at $70 is the cheapest fix and I should be able to DIY. If that doesn't fix it then it would pretty much have to be the sensor. They will be in Monday so thanks to all for your help! Maybe I'll try a wax thermometer after to be safe...St. Johns gathering next weekend!

Thanks!
John
 
Here is a digital thermometer from Sears for $30
You can pickup at a store or have it shipped
http://dealnews.com/lw/artclick.html?2,979419,4975644


Sears offers the Craftsman Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer, model no. 50455, for $29.99. Plus, Shop Your Way Max members bag free shipping. (Not a member? It's free to sign up for a 90-day trial; otherwise, shipping adds $5.99. In-store pickup is also available.) That's $10 off list and the lowest total price we could find, although we saw it for $10 less last fall. This thermometer features a laser pointer, backlit LCD display, and fixed 0.95 emissivity. It measures within a range of -4° to 500°F.
 
Took her out for cruise yesterday and the problem had escalated. Couple miles out she started beeping. First thing I did was find that annoying beeper and put a piece of tape over it! Problem solved.

My new IR thermometer was, IMHO, the hero of the day. Checked Internet with phone and found running temp to be a low 145. Hell. my Corvette runs at 200. Anyway, I hit every spot on that motor, including the exhaust manifold with the IR gun and nothing was over 154, and that was the oil filter. She was half a quart low. Water shooting out of weep hole was 59, same as the river, so thermostat it is. I read stories of people having this problem from putting the two thermostats in the wrong spot, switching them. There different with the 3 notch one going in front. With her running at 154 and the beeping muffled I had no problem heading back to the marina, loading up and trailering her home. Thermostats will be here Monday. I guess this brackish water takes a toll even with regular flushing.

Thanks for the tip on the Sears IR gun!
John
 
I would check the OB for a poppit valve and if present replace

It is another mechanical device like a thermostat and needs to be replaced and often over looked during service yet easy to be replaced and located outside on the lower leg..

The valve is a spring loaded water-pressure regulator for the cooling system . At slow rpm's the pressure from the water pump is pretty low, so the poppit stays closed, and allows all the cooling water from the impeller to circulate thru the engine cooling system. At high rpm, the water pump volume & pressure is much higher. The poppit opens at a pre-determined pressure and allows the "excess" water to bypass the cooling system.

m2cw
 
would check the OB for a poppit valve and if present replace

I have a Yamaha OB and it has one
I dont check Honda OBs

It is another mechanical device like a thermostat and needs to be replaced and often over looked during service yet easy to be replaced and located outside on the lower leg..


on my Yamaha
 
Finally after calling for the last three days I got hold of BJ, the service manager at First Coast. Said my thermostats just arrived this morning. They were supposed to be in Monday. He didn't have the gasket or the O-rings! Said something like "you don't know whether you're getting them til it arrives". BS! You order a kit or the items by number. Anyway I was hoping to reuse the O-rings a some RTV gasket maker as I'm going to a gathering tomorrow. Thoughts?

Thanks!
John
 
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