I have a new Predator 212cc mud motor kit on a 1436 jon boat that is overheating. The motor has absolutely no mods, governor still in. I'm at like 7 hours total time on it now.

After starting the engine cold and going about 4 miles in my jon boat @ 80-100% throttle (12-14mph), the engine will just shut off. At this time the stock muffler is extremely hot and I can't pull the cord to start it. (I guess when the engine is really hot you can't physically fully pull the cord).

Now if I wait like 3 minutes I can start the engine but if I engage the throttle at all it will just shut off again within 2 minutes or so. I can only idle @ 4MPH unless I wait 20-30 minutes for the whole engine to cool down, and then it will just overheat again in like 10 minutes if I go back to 80-100% throttle.

The oil level is fine and it has 10w-30 conventional in it, I haven't done the first oil change yet but I'm going to put 10w-30 full synthetic in after I do that.

This is in 78-85F degree temperatures in Florida during the morning hours 8-10am.

Is there something wrong with this Predator 212cc engine or is this how it's supposed to run?

Very loose tolerances on that motor, piston might be a little tight or the jetting too lean, still got warranty? Swap it for another one

I'm going to change the oil and put in a new spark plug and see if that fixes it.

I still have a warranty and will just get Harbor Freight to replace it if not.

If I were to do a Stage 1 mod to the engine without removing the governor, would the engine run cooler due to more airflow?

Im not even sure what a stage 1 is for that motor. If you are lean and the stage 1 gets your fuel dialed in then maybe. If its anything else like a sticking piston or crap head then a stage 1 might make it run hotter. Maybe take a temperature gun with you next time and see how hot it really is. Does the motor push your boat ok? Or does it sound like its in a bind

It pushes the boat fine 14MPH top speed with both the 6.25" and 6.5" prop. I'm 200 lbs, 60 lbs. sandbag in the bow with like 20 lbs of gear next to it.

I changed the oil and unscrewed the screw that doesn't let you pull the throttle back as far as possible. I got a new top speed 18mph for 2 seconds, 17mph sustained.

The motor still overheats. I got a reading of 680 F on the underside of the muffler right after the engine shut off after about 300 yards at full throttle. At this time right after the engine shuts off due to overheating (I guess that's why), I can't pull the cord to start it. It's like I can't pull the cord all the way out of the engine, and have to wait like 5-8 minutes before I can pull the rope out enough to start it. Is that due to overheating?

I checked the spark plug and it looks like it was running rich. (before the new oil change).

Should I just return it or does any of this info point to the issue.

i would swap it

What does the pull cord jerking back for 5-8 mins after "overheating" point to the problem being?

My kids ride some pos chineez gokarts. If the run them hard for 15 min they lock up. 30 min later they will fire back up, 4 new topends total, bout 40$ lol, 2 were seizing at the wrist pin and 2 scared up the piston from being stuck. We knew one was about to lock the other day and i hit it with a temp gun,, 380f on the head! These turds just cant take the load . Since others have run what u are running with success i think your next engine might be ok.... return it and roll the dice again

Here's some pics of the spark plug after breaking in the motor + 2 hour of use after changing the oil to full synthetic. There did seem to be too much oil in it when I drained it.

This is rich + overheating right?

http://imgur.com/a/g3M0r

That plug has seen some rich and lean times and having to much oil can cause problems.to get a clean reading warm up motor, then install a new plug and run it hard for a steady few minutes then kill engine without letting it idle, remove plug and read it then, or post up a pic.

What is the Cyl head temp at the spark plug? That will tell you if jetting is right.