[C320-list] Engine Temperature Gauge Failure

[Jeff Smith]

Christian is correct. If your gauge is not operating AND your thermostat gets stuck in the closed position, then water would not circulate through the heat exchanger and would not get cooled and you would not know it. I should have mentioned that as a possibility. I would need to look at the specs to see if the alarm will still sound (Bob seems to indicate that it will, but I make no claim there).

I was simply thinking that Clay could use that as a check since he is away from home and would like to get back to the marina. If he is that concerned, then towing back to the slip would be advised if he can't troubleshoot the gauge (again, unless the alarm will still sound).

My apologies if I led anyone astray.

Jeff
'94, #121

On 10/19/20, 9:38 AM, "C320-list on behalf of Christian" <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com on behalf of ccaper at gmail.com> wrote:

    "you can always perform a system check every 10 - 15 minutes. As long as
    you hear the water discharge from the stern and no weeping/lock-up inside,
    you have good water circulation and should be okay to get back home."
    
    Be careful only relying on this.  On my Perkins, there is a thermostat
    behind my coolant pump.  If it goes bad, your coolant won't "mix" with the
    raw water for cooling, your engine will overheat, yet you'll still be
    discharging raw water from your exhaust.  My thermostat went bad.  My temp
    gauge and warning light/sound saved me.
    
    Christian Caperton
    1994 C320 #138 "Canuck"
    Monroe Harbor, Chicago, IL
    
    On Mon, Oct 19, 2020 at 6:15 AM Jeff Smith <jeffreyssmith at live.com> wrote:
    
    > Clay,
    >
    > Is that the only gauge that is not working? When all of my gauges stopped
    > working, that was my first sign that my alternator no longer worked. We
    > usually only day sail, so we are never off the charger long enough for me
    > to realize that the alternator was not working, even though I had noticed
    > that my entire instrument panel no longer provided proper readings (I
    > assumed a loose ground wire). So, when we stayed on the hook on night and
    > could not start the boat the next day, then I figured out the alternator
    > did not work. Thankfully for us, our cruising buddies started their boat
    > and then passed us their starter battery so we could get home.
    >
    > It does sound like a loose wire if it is only the temp gauge and I believe
    > Bob has given you the locations.
    >
    > If you do not figure out the problem, you can always perform a system
    > check every 10 - 15 minutes. As long as you hear the water discharge from
    > the stern and no weeping/lock-up inside, you have good water circulation
    > and should be okay to get back home.
    >
    > Good luck,
    >
    > Jeff
    > '94, #121
    >
    > On 10/17/20, 8:54 AM, "C320-list on behalf of Clay Carter" <
    > c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com on behalf of fclaycarter at yahoo.com>
    > wrote:
    >
    >     Since acquiring hull 225 with Perkins M30 last year I’ve noted my
    > gauge instead of maintaining 180 degrees, instead seems to dance while
    > underway as if from vibration from say 120-200 degrees. While frustrating
    > to read this had never been a problem and engine is great with no issues.
    > Yesterday it has stopped working completely while on a weekend trip.
    > Anybody with suggestions about what/how I can troubleshoot this while now
    > away from port?  The gauge might simply need replacing or perhaps loose
    > wiring or bad sending unit etc.. Where is the sending unit location?
    > Finally, is the temperature overheating alarm part of this gauge and/or
    > sending unit or is it entirely separate?  Of course I’m concerned about
    > overheating while away and having no alarm to notify me of the danger.
    > Thanks for any input.
    >
    >     Clay Carter
    >     Hull 225
    >     We’ll Sea
    >     Alamitos Bay, CA
    >
    >
    >