Not your normal over heating

[<Mark_W>]

Whats going on: '89 Ranger with a 150 Merc. that overheats real quick. Put it on the trailer trim it up and it cooled off to about 1/4.

History: It has been overheating for years. It has been taken to the shop dozens of times. New everything.

Any help would be appreciated.

[<Bobby>]

It sounds like it is sucking exhaust instead of water ck the gaskets and seals at the bottom of the pump hsg. I think I remember a service bull. on this it required RTV on the divider between Exhaust and water pickup cavities you could also have a crack in the casting in that area---bob

[<TMD>]

Yes there is a bulletin on this issue...although it may not be what is causing it.

Check to see if the idle exhaust ports are covered while the engine is in the water. They are the 2 holes the water comes out at idle on the back of the leg. If covered the engine will overheat and run poorly.

TMD