Notices

Optimum Water PSI

Thread Tools
 
Old 04-26-2014, 11:02 AM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
inspector747's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Optimum Water PSI

Not trying to look stupid but what should be my optimum PSI at idle and WOT for a 502 NA

Thanks
Bryan
inspector747 is offline  
Old 04-26-2014, 12:19 PM
  #2  
Charter Member # 55
Charter Member
 
Griff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Omaha/LOTO
Posts: 19,558
Received 1,821 Likes on 907 Posts
Default

At idle, the guage will barely move.
Ideally at WOT, you would want 20psi or so.
Griff is offline  
Old 04-26-2014, 12:28 PM
  #3  
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
inspector747's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Griff
At idle, the guage will barely move.
Ideally at WOT, you would want 20psi or so.
Thanks... I am going to run a gauge at the block and one at the manifold and was curious what I should see
inspector747 is offline  
Old 04-27-2014, 01:56 AM
  #4  
Registered
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Okanagan Falls BC. Canada
Posts: 596
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Brand new impeller gives about 1 psi@idle on EFI engines with low rpm [600] idle . 20-25 psi WOT or about 5000rpm. When pressure readings start to fall under 20psi @WOT, it's an indication of an impeller getting tired. Once it falls under 15psi at WOT, it's definitely the time for replacement. Mercruiser recommends to replace the impeller once a year or at 100hrs.
spectras only is offline  
Old 04-27-2014, 07:04 AM
  #5  
Registered
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
inspector747's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by spectras only
Brand new impeller gives about 1 psi@idle on EFI engines with low rpm [600] idle . 20-25 psi WOT or about 5000rpm. When pressure readings start to fall under 20psi @WOT, it's an indication of an impeller getting tired. Once it falls under 15psi at WOT, it's definitely the time for replacement. Mercruiser recommends to replace the impeller once a year or at 100hrs.
That is one thing I always do is replace the impeller every year (Previous boat) The guy I bought this boat from hadn't changed it out in 3 yrs (had the mentality "if it ain't broke don't fix it) Got a new impeller and housing this year (housing was thrashed), thanks for the info, I know now where I should be.
What is considered to much PSI (concerned about head gasket failure)
inspector747 is offline  
Old 05-25-2014, 11:54 PM
  #6  
Registered
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: rapid city, sd
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Don't mean to hi jack a thread here but my procharged EFI 502 only makes about 13 psi at wot. Had a new sea pump about 30 hrs ago.. Probably no T stat in it.. I'm thinking I need a restrictor in the t stat housing?
Fordtrucks is offline  
Old 05-26-2014, 06:04 AM
  #7  
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 2,195
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I would be more concerned about the water flow than pressure. With no thermostat, our water pressure is about 10 lbs at speed with a max of 100-110 temp.
BenPerfected is offline  
Old 05-26-2014, 11:09 AM
  #8  
BUP
Banned
iTrader: (9)
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Ft. Worth TX
Posts: 9,594
Likes: 0
Received 41 Likes on 35 Posts
Default

Any readings of PSI and or pressure is a measure of restriction. Just because you have a ton of pressure doesn't mean you have the correct amount of volume needed. There is always a happy medium of balance between pressure and flow and volume.

A lot of times proper flow volumes also can not be obtained even with high measured pressure readings as water pressure, water flow and water volume are 3 separate issues. Anyways my point is Mercruiser has specific water volume output tests along with the measurement specs to make sure your motor recieves the proper volume of cooling water flowing into the motor or heat exchanger.

Last edited by BUP; 05-26-2014 at 11:20 AM.
BUP is offline  
Old 05-28-2014, 07:21 PM
  #9  
Gold Member
Gold Member
 
Dave M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Hollywood, MD, USA
Posts: 5,652
Received 122 Likes on 77 Posts
Default

525EFI, approx 3.5 psi @idle, 30 PSI mechanical gauge is pegged at WOT. Smartcraft says around 35 PSI.
Dave M is offline  
Old 05-28-2014, 07:54 PM
  #10  
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 918
Received 5 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Most efi smartcraft engines I've checked with diacom at idle are more along the lines of 1 psi +/- . A little under 1 psi to less than 2 psi at warm idle
Originally Posted by Dave M
525EFI, approx 3.5 psi @idle, 30 PSI mechanical gauge is pegged at WOT. Smartcraft says around 35 PSI.
motor is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.