www.iFourWinns.com

I have had a low speed overheating problem for the whole summer in my 26 foot 2001 Horizon (5.7 GSI Volvo). Depending on the day the gauge goes into the red and the alarm goes off after I have been running between 900 and 1100 rpms for a time. I then just accelerate to about 1500 rpms and the temp goes right back down. I can run all day on a plane and it runs right in the middle of the gauge.

I have replaced the thermostat twice, the impeller for the raw water pump twice and finally the whole water pump. I have replaced the rubber seals (on the water line) between the outdrive and the engine and pulled the risers (they were clean).

I am able to put my hands on the risers when the alarm is going off and I have put a thermometer (magnetic one from my wood stove) on the engine and it doesn’t measure more then 150 degrees. I borrowed a laser gun that measure the temperature and it read about 160 degrees on the engine and 148 degrees on the water plenum.

I believe the gauge is bad. The boat has the VDC gauge package. I plan to put the replacement gauge package in this winter. The dealer said there might be one more place to check before doing that. He suggested that when we have the outdrive off this fall that he split it and check out a 2 inch piece of copper pipe that could have been perforated due to electrolysis and hence is leaving air get into the system.

Has anyone had a similar problem and if so what was the solutions.

Is that a VDO or VDC gauge? If it is VDO, then that is what I would say you problem is. I have a similar problem on my 98 Sundowner. The temp gauge will immediately go into over heat when I plug my inflatable inflator in when the engine is running. There is a replacement for the VDO that has been covered on this board, do a search and you should be able to find it.

It is a VDO, I do have the replacement part number. I didn't know if I should split the outdrive to see if the copper tubing needed to be replaced or just to go ahead and replace the gages. Thank you

I have not heard of the copper tube problem. With the VDO problem my oil pressure gauge also has problems at times.

Sounds like your mechanic is doing a good job trying to get to the bottom of it. Also, if you haven't already bought the replacement dash, check that post from Shep a few posts down.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Mike,

I realize that it's been three years since your last post on this topic.
Did you find out what the problem was? I have the same issue, and I beleive I finally figured out what the problem is.

The gauge and alarm sound when the engine is too cold as well as too hot, it's due to the irratic nature of the VDO instrument cluster. I found this info on the VDO website under marine solutions "frequently asked questions" page

They suggest putting up with the alarm as a tell tale sign of the engine not being up to operating temp yet.

Erik

Me? I don't have the VDO. I was just referencing someone else's post who did buy the replacement.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic