Normal operating temp for Westerbeke W21?

[Jim in NVa]

What's the normal / optimal temp for the Westerbeke 21? Mine has been
running about 180 degrees. Yesterday, it ran up to just under 190
degrees. Coolant, impeller, etc. all replaced earlier this year.
Coolant was not low. Seacock open and strainer was fine....making
good splashes out back. Running about 2,200 rpm in calm conditions.

Westerbeke literature I have is not too helpful. One section says
"Check cooling water temperature frequently to make sure it is 190
degrees or less." In another place it implies that the operating
temperature is about 175. So, is 190 ok or on the verge of
overheating?

A related question has to do with rpms. My understanding is that the
max rmps for the engine is 3,000, although I don't think I've tried
going over 2,500 so far. In the manual I have, there is a hand
written note that says the "cruising rpms" shoujld be 1,800 - 2,300. I
assume someone write this in after discussing with a mechanic (or
someone with an opinion). The max of this range is a bit less than 80
percent of the listed 3,000 rpm engine max, which sounds low but maybe
it's right.

Is this reasonable and does max cruising rpm differ according to what
the propeller pitch is? (I do understand that the pitch determines
the speed for any given rpm and the load that is placed on the
engine.)

Thanks for any advice, the diesel is still mysterious to me although
I'm awfully glad to have an engine these days!

Jim
Morgan 26C #138
Annapolis, MD

[coom...@hotmail.com]

I wouldn't call 190 overheating but make sure you give your engine a cool down period 10 to 15 minutes running at 1500 to 1800rpm before you shut her off also if you find your engine is running hot you can run her at the above rpm this should cool her down as you are running along

Reg. Coombs
1985 , N26C #171
Hollyrood, NL
Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.

[Jack Dokter]

Hi Jim,

 

About 2 years ago, I found our W21 running in the 190-195 range many times but mostly when pushing into the higher RPM's. When I asked our marina services department about this, they responded that this is allowable but should have a look at the impeller for any missing blades.  When I removed the impeller, it only had 1/2 of the impeller vanes attached.  My next step was simply replace the impeller, but the marine services department strongly suggested I needed to remove the old blades.  I found out that they accumulate in the heat exchanger and it was best to remove that part from the engine.  To my surprise, I found enough impeller blades to fit at least 3 separate impellers.  Since then, the engine temperature remains at 180 degrees.  Occasionally, it touches 185, but I'm doing some serious RPMs at that time.

 

Jack Dokter

Nine Lives 1983 26C W21 #099

Bayfield, Ont

[Joe Valinoti]

The normal temp should be 180.  If yours has usually been running at that temp and is now running at 190, I would be concerned because what's important here is patterns and history.  Something has changed!  Re-check the impeller and definitely remove the heat exchanger for inspection.  If everything is OK, you may need to verify the accuracy of the sending unit or gauge.  One tool I have in my inventory is an infrared temp gauge.  They are inexpensive, small and easy to use.  Point the dot at the top of the thermostat housing and read the temp.

Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221 (1984)
Sea Harbour Yacht Club
Oriental, NC

 

  

 

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----- Original Message -----

From: Jim in NVa

To: INA Nonsuch Discussion Group

Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2011 10:03 AM

Subject: Normal operating temp for Westerbeke W21?

[Jim Cosgrove]

Joe, I appreciate the advice that you and others have offered.  I am about to switch to a different diesel mechanic and think I will have the new mechanic thoroughly go over the entire engine in general, as well as check out the possible cause of the engine temperature rising from what it had been.  Neat idea about the infrared sensor too.
Jim

[Mike]

Back when BIANKA was diesel powered I had a strange overheat problem that I found after two impeller changes and a lot of cursing. A barnacle had grow in the raw water intake line causing reduced  raw water flow to the engine. Such problems are now moot since I converted  to electric propulsion. But, you might want to check your raw water intake line. There  might be some sort of growth or debris stuck in there especially if you've already eliminated the pump impeller.   Mike BIANKA 1986 30U http://biankablog.blogspot.com --- On Mon, 6/13/11, Joe Valinoti <joes...@gmail.com> wrote:

[tom hand]

An unusual problem I had with my 30U was overheating; tried everything then found that the butterfly valve (a bypass for the water heater) had closed, so no coolant was getting by as there was no water heater.

Tom Hand
Catspaw 26c #12

[Earle Beasley]

These engines aren't an exact science. First how accurate is the
temperature gauge? The infrared gauge will check this well.

One thing I observed while delivering a friend's 30U was that the
engine temperature crept up when we were motoring into a heavy sea
with a 25 knot head wind.
Most people don't realize that the injector pump has a governor, it
does what it has to to keep the RPM set by the throttle. In this case
it was feeding more fuel to the engine while keeping the RPM at 2300.
The engine was working much harder than it would in calm conditions.
The temperature rose to about 195F and stayed there. When we came off
the wind the boat speed picked up and the engine was not needing all
that fuel to hold 2300 RPM....the temperature dropped to 180F where
the owner expected it to be.

I would say that you should not allow the temperature to rise above
200F, if the gauge is correct.

Furthermore, you should NEVER have steam coming from your exhaust
pipe. If you have a white plume following the boat, check the
strainer....you can expect to find it loaded with weeds etc. If this
doesn't clear up the problem check the impeller and that the intake
piping isn't plugged as Mike has said earlier.

Earle Beasley
Mariposa, NS30U, 272

[Joe Valinoti]

I would be concerned about the temperature going much higher then the thermostat's operating specification of 180.  I've never seen my W-27 go higher then 180 no matter what the conditions are even when running at 3000 RPM for a half hour to catch a bridge.

Joe Valinoti
S/V IL Gatto NS30U #221 (1984)
Sea Harbour Yacht Club
Oriental, NC

 

  

 

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----- Original Message -----

From: Earle Beasley

To: INA Nonsuch Discussion Group

Sent: Thursday, June 16, 2011 9:48 AM

Subject: Re: Normal operating temp for Westerbeke W21?