Engine overheating / check engine light - 2007 Outback V w 325 Indmar Assault
My temp gauge on my 2007 Outback V was going in and out but when it functioned it seemed to indicate that temp was on target in center of the gauge at 160 degrees. I just replaced the sending unit for that gauge through Discount Inboard Marine. Now it seems to go up to just above the 180 degree mark whereas it was firmly centered at around 160 degrees for years. I have changed my impeller but had no missing blades although it was a bit firm and less pliable than the new one. I have pulled off hoses and not seen anything impeding water flow. At this point the only thing left I believe is to replace the thermostat.
I have not driven it for more than about 5 minutes so can't confirm that it will stay at the 180 degree mark or continue to increase. It did seem to stabilize there (neither increasing or decreasing) but I was nervous to go out and have it get worse. The gauge tops out at 240 and there is not much space between the 180 mark and the 240 mark so I start freaking out when it gets up there since there is no real visibility beyond that. I have noticed that the check engine light is also on now. Engine seems to run like normal and I do have power but just makes me really nervous....
Couple of questions....
Is the thermostat really the only other logical place to look or any other ideas? I did have an issue earlier this season where the hose between the circulating pump and thermostat blew out and I took on a bunch of water into the bilge. I never saw any engine issues with that and don't believe the engine overheated as it still turns on fine and no more water is leaking now that hoses have been replaced. Would lack of water to the thermostat cause it to fail? I can't imagine that this new issue is connected to that incident but that was the last time I used the boat for more than 10 minutes of riding...
It sounds like the sending unit is working OK but that should not need to be calibrated or anything should it? My impression from Skidim was that I just screwed it in, connected the wire and that was it.
Any thoughts/guidance would be very much appreciated!!! Season is winding down and I am still hoping to get this corrected and get a few more days on the water before closing things up for the winter.
