Hello All, I purchased a used Craigcat with 2016 Evinrude ETEC 30hp, Model E30DPSLAFB, Serial 05460716. 119 hours. I test drove but was in the Keys and never had the opportunity to open it up. Previous owner said he just had it serviced and replaced the impeller which he showed me and was all in one piece. I get it home and take it for a run, slow speed about 1/4 mile then I was able to open it up. I slowed down for a turn, then it died like it ran out of gas. I thought at first is was a fuel issue, I was able to get it restarted and got it home just above idle speed. After researching and finding this forum, I ordered the software and cable. I can see the pervious owner, had an overheat shutdown around 116 hours, which he why he had the service. During my run, I also experienced the over temp shut down and understand now, the ECM was going into safe mode. At all times of the over temp, I'm getting good water flow from the tell tail. Knowing the impeller was the last thing worked on, I checked the impeller and it was fine but that's all he did. The housing was still old and had wear signs so I bought an complete OEM kit and replaced everything. I took it for a test run, good water flow from tell tail, I took my laptop with me and was plugged in so I can monitor the engine. At one point as the temp was rising it looked like the thermostat opened as I had a dip in temp but it continued to rise up to 190F so I took it home. Thinking I had a problem with the thermostat, i replaced the thermostat and pressure relief, still engine would run hot.
Continuing to read through the forums, I saw the problem with the 2012 megaphone issue and thought maybe this was the problem. I removed and inspected the megaphone, mine was perfect no issues. I replaced all new gaskets, check water pickup and installed a new grommet seal for water tube.
Tested engine, it was still running hot so I replaced the temperature sensor. Be hold the engine temperature was normal. I took it for a run and the engine temps were normal, ran at wot and temps dropped to 125F like manual says, slowed down and would run about 170F. Since then, I now have 127 hours, I had no issues.
I go to take it yesterday and it went into safe mode, I get it home, plug in the computer and it over heated again. Good water flow from tell tale. I take out the thermostat, everything was clean. I put the thermostat in a pot of water to test it. Manual says it should open 143F, it opened at 151F, it's working. I reassemble and test engine with computer and the temperature over about 10 mins would continue to rise to 195F, then I shut it down. Again good water flow from tell tail. I reviewed the water circuit diagram, the water flows through the head and block, then branches off to the vapor separator, ECM, etc and out. Thinking maybe I wasn't getting water to thermostat housing, I cut a piece of plastic, mounted and started engine. I can see the water flowing into housing.
I don't think this time its the temperature sensor because if I touch the thermostat housing, it was getting hot to the touch.
I plan to drop lowering unit and check impeller again but it makes no sense that I'm getting good water flow from tell tale.
In summary:
Replaced and or checked:
Checked Megaphone and cooling tube
New Thermostat and pressure relief
New OEM water pump kit
New OEM temperature sensor
Tested thermostat and it opens.
Thermostat housing is getting hot to the touch.
When flushing water from tell tale, water does come out the 2 holes on lower unit.
Seems like a mystery here and hoping someone experienced an issue similar and found the cause? Looking at water flow diagram, I see where the water flow splits from EMM circuit and back into engine.
1. Is it possible something in the vapor separator number 8 on diagram is taking too much water through tell tale and not sending back through engine block?
2. Does the block have small passages that if not properly flushed could clog or restrict water flow?
Thanks,
Gregg
