Ang:

First join the Atomic 4 E-Mail list on Sailnet.com. The sailnet list is very active and has a number of true Atomic 4 experts waiting in the wings to answer your questions.

With all that being said, I would methodically disconnect and reconnect each hose inorder to isolate where the blockage is.

Most of the time when an overheating problem appears suddenly it is a result of a couple of possibilities.

1. Water pump problems
2. Water line blockage - usually in the exhaust manifold outlet. Disconnect hose from the outlet side of the manifold , toward rear of engine (furthest from flywheel), using a coathanger wire, insert the wire into the outlet and "rotor-rooter" around as much as possible. This may break up any rust chunks that blocking the oulet. On the inlet side of the manifold attach a garden hose with street pressure and flush out the manifold. Make sure you have a bucket handy to catch all the junk that will come out.

If this fixes the problem I would flush (recirculating for an hour) the entire engine cooling system using a product called Marsolve. It is biodegradable and very effective.

Instructions on how to set up the flush can be found in the e-mail archives on sailnet.com

Good Luck,
Steve Kaminsky