Engine Temp

[Scott]

I just purchased a 1988 Catalina 27 with a Universal 18. With her out of the water and using fresh,cold tap water, we started the motor. We could not get a reading on the temp. guage with the motor running, even after 10 minutes. When we shut the motor off and the ignition key off we noticed the the temp. guage came up to about 135. Is it normal for the motor not to obtain a readable temp with 50 degree tap water or is there something wrong and where to start?

 

[RG Miller]

No expert here....but...

You probably need to have more of a load on the engine to get it to warm up enough to show on the guage.I can idle my engine for a long time at the dock and still not get much heat registering.I find that I have to take it out and put a load on it before it starts to warm up.

 

[Don]

I wouldn't worry about it.

Most 27's came with the small heat exchanger. I would worry more about over temp than under temp. Get it back in the water and I think it will be alright. BTW, it is normal for engines to slightly raise in temp after being shut down, you just don't see it with the switch turned off.

 

[Peter]

No problem

My engine can run for what seems forever at idle without coming up to temp, but with a load on she's fine. Probably just lack of a load.

 

[john renfro]

steam

hello scott, if you are getting a reading only after you turn the key to the off position, it may be that the gauge and sending unit are wired incorrectly. when in the off posistion all circuits should be dead.john