outboard/thermostat ?

[Randy Stinchcomb]

...engine is a 2003 Evinrude 115 and the last time I used my boat, my brother flushed my engine wth Salt-X...
I ran the boat in the driveway yesterday and it seems the water being expelled never got warm...
I used an Infra-Red temp gun to check and the block was @140* but the thermostat housings were @114* so that leaves me to think the thermostat might be blocked/clogged? maybe from flushing the engine wth the Salt-X?
the thermostats are only a year old, so my question is, can I remove them and run the engine in the driveway again wth them out? just to determin if that was the issue?

[flndrpndr23]

I just changed the thermostats in my 2000 226 Optimax. I was not having problems, just regular maintenance.
Thermostats do require changing periodically but not yearly.
You can check their operation by removing them and immersing in hot water. Check the water temp to see when they open.
If there is a question about whether they are good or bad I would have some new ones along with gaskets on hand just in case.
I guess you could run the engine without the thermostats for testing but not for long.

[barnacle bills marine]

That seems about right runninjg on a hose. If your thermo's were blocked or clogged you would of hat the hot light come on and the engine would of been alot warmer then 140.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

That seems about right runninjg on a hose. If your thermo's were blocked or clogged you would of hat the hot light come on and the engine would of been alot warmer then 140.

well Thanks for your reply but I preformed this same test last year, (before the Salt-X flush) and after the engine warmed-up, both the block and thermo housings ran @148*

I think when I get an extra $25.00, Im just gonna' replace them both

[Dunk]

well Thanks for your reply but I preformed this same test last year, (before the Salt-X flush) and after the engine warmed-up, both the block and thermo housings ran @148*

I think when I get an extra $25.00, Im just gonna' replace them both

First rule of diagnosing outboard water pumps or tstats.... Never do it on a hose... Put the boat in the water