Frank Langer
1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
Hi,
The Universal 5416 16 hp diesel engine on our boat always runs at about 160 degrees--warms gradually to that temperature and stays constant with no apparent fluctuation in the gauge. I do regular maintenance--oil changes, fan belt tension, turn grease cup, change coolant every two years, check/replace hoses, etc. The engine has 850 hours on it, and I put on about 100 hours per year.
Today I started the engine before lowering sails (it had operated normally on my way out, and then was off for about two hours during my sail). As I was on my own, it took me about 15 minutes to put away the sails, add fenders, dock lines, etc. As I was ready to put the engine in gear to motor in, I noticed that the heat gauge was almost at the high end. The alarm had not yet gone off, the engine was idling slowly and smoothly, no smoke, and there was exhaust water at the transom. I debated shutting the engine off immediately, but decided instead to slightly increase the idle. The heat gauge gradually returned to it's normal 160 degree position. I motored slowly at first and then at normal speed, and the gauge stayed constant with no further sign of overheating. When I got to my slip, I checked the oil and it was fine--normal level, no change in colour or consistency or smell. The raw water strainer was clean.
So my question is: What would have caused the engine to show overheating? Could it be that I had the idle too low to circulate enough coolant, even though there was exhaust water at the transom?
I don't think I did any damage, but would like to understand what may have caused this, and how to avoid a bit of a scary moment in the future.
Thanks for any thoughts on this.
Frank
The Universal 5416 16 hp diesel engine on our boat always runs at about 160 degrees--warms gradually to that temperature and stays constant with no apparent fluctuation in the gauge. I do regular maintenance--oil changes, fan belt tension, turn grease cup, change coolant every two years, check/replace hoses, etc. The engine has 850 hours on it, and I put on about 100 hours per year.
Today I started the engine before lowering sails (it had operated normally on my way out, and then was off for about two hours during my sail). As I was on my own, it took me about 15 minutes to put away the sails, add fenders, dock lines, etc. As I was ready to put the engine in gear to motor in, I noticed that the heat gauge was almost at the high end. The alarm had not yet gone off, the engine was idling slowly and smoothly, no smoke, and there was exhaust water at the transom. I debated shutting the engine off immediately, but decided instead to slightly increase the idle. The heat gauge gradually returned to it's normal 160 degree position. I motored slowly at first and then at normal speed, and the gauge stayed constant with no further sign of overheating. When I got to my slip, I checked the oil and it was fine--normal level, no change in colour or consistency or smell. The raw water strainer was clean.
So my question is: What would have caused the engine to show overheating? Could it be that I had the idle too low to circulate enough coolant, even though there was exhaust water at the transom?
I don't think I did any damage, but would like to understand what may have caused this, and how to avoid a bit of a scary moment in the future.
Thanks for any thoughts on this.
Frank