I recently purchased a 2006 Trophy 2052 equipped with a MerCruiser 4.3L engine (Thunderbolt ignition). I was told that the engine had been refurbished about three years ago, including the installation of new exhaust manifolds and other components.
Before launching the boat, I took it to a mechanic for a complete service. According to him, he replaced the engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, impeller, thermostat, and idler pulley, among other routine maintenance items.
The first time I used the boat, the temperature alarm sounded after the engine had been idling for approximately 45 minutes. At that point, the temperature gauge had risen to about three-quarters of the way up the scale.
When I contacted the mechanic, he told me that I should not leave the engine idling for that long. However, I am concerned that there may still be an underlying cooling-system issue. I also noticed that the hoses on the left side of the thermostat housing become warm, while the hoses on the right side remain cool.
Does this indicate a possible problem with the cooling system, and what could be causing it?
Before launching the boat, I took it to a mechanic for a complete service. According to him, he replaced the engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter, impeller, thermostat, and idler pulley, among other routine maintenance items.
The first time I used the boat, the temperature alarm sounded after the engine had been idling for approximately 45 minutes. At that point, the temperature gauge had risen to about three-quarters of the way up the scale.
When I contacted the mechanic, he told me that I should not leave the engine idling for that long. However, I am concerned that there may still be an underlying cooling-system issue. I also noticed that the hoses on the left side of the thermostat housing become warm, while the hoses on the right side remain cool.
Does this indicate a possible problem with the cooling system, and what could be causing it?
