Not sure if my temp. gauge is correct. Where should I point a infrared gun to determine the correct motor temperature when running? Exhaust manifold, oil pan, exhaust pipe?
You want to point it where the temp sender is. That is on top of the motor next to the valve cover on the exhaust manifold side. This way you are reading the same place the sender is. Probably will be a few degrees cooler since you are on the outside of the painted manifold.
Your temo gauge measures coolant temp so takiing a reading on oil pan or exhaust is irrelevant. As mentioned above, measure at the temp sender although the thermostat housing is a pretty good spot too. Move the IR around to find the hottest spot there
What are your gauges reading and at what rpm. Are you noticing new temp changes or have always been a concern? I like to read before and after the thermostats and the middle of the expansion tank under load when questioning engine and cooling systems. More data on the engine assembler (Detroit, JT, Convington, other) And HP tune (TI - TIB), would be of help.
J&T...671 TI...1983 models...port motor reads low-160- and stbd shows 200 at 1950 rpm....just bought the boat last month so trying to figure everything out before any damage is done...at 1000 rp.s, port motor same and stbd motor goes down to 180...just had both motors descaled, new impellers,, and fwc system back flushed
If the IR gun confirms the 160 reading on the port at 1950, then there is a problem there. Probably the thermostat is not closing.
I remember an old (OLD) Hatteras that would get hot at higher rpms. The inside of the hose de-lamated and would draw in and restrict the low side to the raw water pump. Inside external strainers and cocks cause issues also. But hitting the same spot between engines with an I/R gun is a good tool.
The temp gun is also good for pointing at the exhaust ports of the head. It won't show exhaust temperature but will show if the cylinders are pulling equally.
i use the IR gun to take tamp readings at different spots on the engine. I then shoot the same spot on the other engine and compare numbers. Any significant difference is usually a reason to further investigate.
Well...pulled the thru hull hose to the motor...looked good....good water flow thru seacock...put ir on the cylinders and had a low of 140 and a high of 180...all others around 160...btw, was at the slip with motor revved. ..guess gauge is off? Temp comes back down when at idle...any issue to worry about?
You can swap senders between the motors as a test. Or run temp wires and criss-cross the senders for that same test. Make sue the engine blocks are B- strapped together (as normal and required) before the criss-cross test.