My son just bought a 2001 commander 26 ft V hull with a 496 in it and took it out for the first time. He said the engine stayed at 180 degrees but the alarms went off and when he checked the engine compartment the exhaust was steaming... Any thoughts as to the cause of this?

Rick

No one willing to make a comment? I believe cooling water comes in from the outdrive unit itself so I am thinking the impeller ( I also think the impreller is in the outdrive?) is so cooked that it is pusing only enough water to cool the motor on a very cold day with ice cold water, but not enough water to cool the exhaust.

I will be working on this with my son this weekend - hoping someone has a word of advice...

Rick

there is a 90 degree fitting on the bottom of the manifold...Most likely it is plugged up causing the exhaust to heat up. The manifold will need to come off for to repair.

engine is cooled by a belt drivin pump.

Come to think of it, I thought these were a closed system and that the impeller only ran water to the exhaust?

they are. Water comes through the pump, goes to the heat ex. and exits the exhaust.

OK, I will check the impeller first. Thanks!

Rick

After replacing the impeller you might back flush the heat exchanger, oil cooler, and power steering fluid cooler. Especially if the impeller is missing pieces and/or there is no sea strainer.

Yes, will do! Thanks!

Rick