2002 AJ 5.0 w/ Bravo 3 overheat

[scoflaw]

Bravoitis is from salt water use.

I have doubts about that statement.

 

[James Lee]

So I tested my t stat in pot of water last night. It is a 160 stat it does not open until 180! It is less than a year old. I would assume a 160 stat should open at 160 right ??? So do I have a bad Tstat. I’m gonna buy another to make sure

 

[James Lee]

Update - I just installed a mercury tstat to replace the cheap Amazon off brand I installed last fall. Check out the pic of the difference between the 2. Right one in a mercury brand new. Left is cheap one less than 1 month and use.

I’m making progress. I cruised at 3500rpm for solid 25 min. Temp stayed at 163 entire time. Thought I had it. With old stat doing this temp read 180 and alarms went off

I then thought I should open up the throttle. I went full throttle and as soon as I did I got a low pressure alarm and it went in Gaurdian mode and temp went up quickly to 180. Pressure at 3500 rpm was reading 3-4psi with new psi sensor. This seems low to me. Thought it should be around 7-9. Other engine was reading 5psi. Stays cool at 158 doesn’t move

so im left with 2 possibilities. I think. Impeller pieces stuck somewhere and I cannot find them and I cannot get to rear it of engine to back flush or the pump it’s self is scored or damaged and cannot pump adequately at higher rpm’s.

so I’m off to grab a beer and wings then going back to install new Hardin pump. If that doesn’t fix it. I’m gonna have to call in a pro

 

[Scott215]

Does your new thermostat have the little air purge tab on it

 

[James Lee]

Does your new thermostat have the little air purge tab on it

I don’t recall seeing that. It is official mercury stat bought from mercury service dealer

 

[James Lee]

Problem solved folks! I just want to thank everyone for your replies. I think I took a little nugget from everyone to solve this :

Before I dropped in this new Hardin pump I thought I’d take one more crack at the the ps cooler in the back. I was able to get hoses off to backflush. When I did very little water came out. Hello, a clog someplace !! There is a check valve in this side too. I knew there was one on the other side but I did Not see this one. I was able to get to it from under the engine. Follow the outlet hose from pump and it goes back to an elbow fitting then up to this check valve. I was able to remove that hose and BINGO! Full of bunch of impeller pieces. It was really packed in there. Had to take some long handle needle nose pliers to grab what I could. Then was able to back flush!

Put it all back together and bam! All fixed. Took her out ran full throttle for solid 20 min. Temp stayed right at 165 didn’t budge and my water psi was 12-13 !!! Much better than the 3 it was getting before.

My current pump is still good and I hope to return the Hardin.

Wow what an adventure. But now I know what to look for. It’s pretty easy to fix. Lol see pic of the culprit that eluded me for a long time in pic. And thank you all so much for all your comments

 

[Brite Idea]

Congrats on finding the problem and thanks for the update!

 

[unsalted]

Congrats, nothing feels so good as solving a lingering problem!