Engine stays cool

[Joe D]

What can cause a Universal 23Hsp (1990 C-30) engine to run cool (120-140F) most of the time & never heat up to at least 165F? I have run it for a 1/2 hour just to get it to 140F. Thanks, Joe

 

[John Visser]

thermostat stuck open

Could be that the thermostat is not closing properly. Could also be that there isn't enough load on it to heat it up. jv

 

[Larry W.]

Engine heat

Joe; Engines need to be run under a moderate to heavy load, at 80% of RPM, to really warm up. Check that thermostat, too.

 

[Don]

Water heater

Your water heater acts like a heat exchanger until it warms up. I capped off my water heater lines while doing some other maintenance and was amazed how much quicker the engine warmed up.

 

[dave]

cold water

I think cold water has something to do with it. In boston, the water tempreature ranges from 50 to 65 in the summer. I think the universal manual states that operating temps will vary depending on the tempreature of the sea water. I would bet the same engine would run hotter in Miami waters than in boston. My engine never gets close to 160 either.