Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

[gilstad555]

Earlier while out on the water the trim was all the way down and got stuck. I could hear something moving, but it wasn't rising. I went into town to ask the mechanic who usually services our boat but he wasn't around. I added some fluid to the trim pump started it up and the trim started to work. I moved it up and down a few times when suddenly the engine started to smoke and then it killed on its own. Anyone had this problem before?? No boat mechanics are around today in my area so I'm out of luck finding a solution! Please help!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

I added some fluid to the trim pump started it up and the trim started to work. I moved it up and down a few times when suddenly the engine started to smoke

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

You're going to need to be a little more specific on what you did............

The boat was on the trailer when you added oil to the trim pump reservoir?

After that, you started the engine and operated the trim pump?

 

[chimmike]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Seems to me unless you spilled some oil in the fuel or something, the two are unrelated.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Was smoke from the engine compartment or from the exhaust??? not quite sure how the trim pump and the engine dying would be related, but a bit more info would be helpful

Will the engine restart? Does the trim still work?

 

[Don S]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Do you have a 1985 or a 2013 engine? What outdrive do you have? Serial numbers are always welcome.

Post a picture of your trim pump too if you will. How to Post Pictures - The Basics*/ 468676

 

[gilstad555]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Howdy,

Welcome aboard!

You're going to need to be a little more specific on what you did............

The boat was on the trailer when you added oil to the trim pump reservoir?

After that, you started the engine and operated the trim pump?

It is at my dock right now. I added steering fluid to the reservoir then started the engine. I was told to raise in up and down a few times. On the 2 time going up the engine started to smoke. I could not tell where it was coming from exactly. Once it killed, after smoking for a few seconds I couldn't figure it out.

 

[gilstad555]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Was smoke from the engine compartment or from the exhaust??? not quite sure how the trim pump and the engine dying would be related, but a bit more info would be helpful

Will the engine restart? Does the trim still work?

Once I started the engine I raised the trim up and down twice. While it was raising then I noticed the smoke and seconds later the engine killed. I didn't get a chance to see where the smoke was exactly coming from. I didn't start right up when I tried again.

 

[gilstad555]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Do you have a 1985 or a 2013 engine? What outdrive do you have? Serial numbers are always welcome.

Post a picture of your trim pump too if you will. How to Post Pictures - The Basics*/ 468676

Serial OW340322

 

[gilstad555]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

I did add some some lube to the drive lube before as well.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Did you put the caps back on both reservoirs before starting the motor?

 

[gilstad555]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Did you put the caps back on both reservoirs before starting the motor?

Yes I did

 

[Don S]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Once I started the engine I raised the trim up and down twice. While it was raising then I noticed the smoke and seconds later the engine killed. I didn't get a chance to see where the smoke was exactly coming from. I didn't start right up when I tried again.

You raised the drive all the way up and down a couple of times with the engine running? You probably fried the impeller the first time and the engine overheated and died.

 

[nola mike]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Could be a wiring issue as well, an incomplete short that eventually toasted the wire...

 

[gilstad555]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Now the ignition has no power. The blower will turn on and radio etc.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

You raised the drive all the way up and down a couple of times with the engine running? You probably fried the impeller the first time and the engine overheated and died.

Good point - was he using muffs or just running the engine dry?

Edit: he said it was at his dock - so I'm going to assume it was in the water the whole time

 

[Don S]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Good point - was he using muffs or just running the engine dry?

Edit: he said it was at his dock - so I'm going to assume it was in the water the whole time

The pickups won't be in the water if the drive is all the way up.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

The pickups won't be in the water if the drive is all the way up.

They sure are on mine (2005 Alpha 1)

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

Yea, I have not seen any/many boats that can get the outdrive inlets anywhere near the surface of the water. My outdrives barely get the upper gearcase to show at full tilt.

i do think that this fellow will be waiting for the local mechanics to show up. Might be tough this weekend.

maybe the inlet hose is cracked or is coming detached ?

 

[ricohman]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

This happened on my new boat. The trim hose blew and a tiny stream of trim oil was squirting onto my clean new engine. Yes, it got smoky!
No idea why your engine quit though as the two systems are unrelated.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Added fluid to trim pump and now engine is smoking - 4.3 MerCrusier

I'm guessing electrical short.


Maybe moved some wires while filling the reservoir, then something melted or rubbed on a belt/pulley shorting out the ignition.

Smoke smell plastic-y?