Excessive Smoke

[lib135]

What would cause my HH engine to smoke excessively? Typically, only when I throw the throttle down, but more than normal.

[skier92]

What color smoke? Does it do the same warm or cold? Is it just for a few seconds after hard throttle or continuous?

[lib135]

What color smoke? Does it do the same warm or cold? Is it just for a few seconds after hard throttle or continuous?

Smoke is white. It only does it when under throttle (warm) and it seems to be pretty continuous, not extremely noticeable, but def more than normal.

[Pistol Pete]

White smoke indicates water vapor. Does it have a particular smell?

[nuttyskier2002]

White smoke indicates water vapor. Does it have a particular smell?

So is it white or bluish-white?

[barefootski]

My Hammerhead does something similar, I'm going to change the coolant temp sensory to see if that helps, this was suggested by others on a recent thread I posted. I will update once I get it changed to see if it helps. Indmar suggested that I check the fuel pressure also.

[Baddog]

My Hammerhead does something similar, I'm going to change the coolant temp sensory to see if that helps, this was suggested by others on a recent thread I posted. I will update once I get it changed to see if it helps. Indmar suggested that I check the fuel pressure also.

It made a difference for me in several ways. And it is cheap.

[barefootski]

Well, I have an update. I changed the coolant temp sensor and I installed a 180 degree thermostat to see if that would help the missing out on takeoff. I took the boat out with my father and after about 20 to 30 minutes of me practicing the kneeboard, it was my Dad's turn to ski. Everything was fine until the temp got high enough to put the engine into limp mode. The temp gauge was reading about 200. It was running fine and did not miss out however. So that was the end of our day as I did not have all of the tools to change the thermostat back to the 160 degree. I'm assuming it might have been a faulty 180 degree thermostat, I have not tried another 180 degree thermostat.

I reinstalled the 160 degree thermostat and took the boat back out on a different day. Back to the same missing out and excessive smoking. I did not change back to the old coolant temp sensor. I plan on taking it to the dealer next spring and have them do a water test to make sure they run the engine long enough for the issues (smoking and missing out) to happen so maybe the dealer can get a diagnostic code from the engine when it occurs.

Anyone else have any other thoughts or experience? My engine is the 383 Hammerhead.

Thanks again to BillFooter for helping me make these changes.

Edited September 21, 2009 by barefootski

[Pistol Pete]

Did you put in a marine specific 180* T-stat?

They flow higher rates and would explain why the engine got to 200*

[Baddog]

Any junk built up on the tranny cooler screen?

[barefootski]

Baddog, no we checked the tranny screen cooler and it was clear.

Pistol Pete, no it was not a marine specific 180 thermostat, just one I purchased at an auto parts store. Does it make a difference marine vs. automotive thermostat? Where do I get a marine specific 180 thermo? I tried www.skidim.com but they did not carry a 180 thermostat for my engine, I called them directly to check. Any suggestions as to where to get a 180 thermo?

[Ndawg12]

Baddog, no we checked the tranny screen cooler and it was clear.

Pistol Pete, no it was not a marine specific 180 thermostat, just one I purchased at an auto parts store. Does it make a difference marine vs. automotive thermostat? Where do I get a marine specific 180 thermo? I tried www.skidim.com but they did not carry a 180 thermostat for my engine, I called them directly to check. Any suggestions as to where to get a 180 thermo?

Would this work?

[barefootski]

nemire12,

Thanks for the link, I will give them try. It will have to wait until next season as I winterized my boat last weekend.

I'm not finished skiing yet for the season, we were just done with family outings due to weather, school commitments and activities with the kids. Any additional outings will be in BillFooters boat.

Thanks again for the input.

Michael

[BillFooter]

I talked to an Indmar technician before we changed the thermostat in Michael's boat and the tech said a marine thermostat was not necessary.