Dexters dad
Cadet
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2009
- Messages
- 19
OK I admit to being a bone head and deserving of being on the wall of shame but I still need help.
Took my son on a last minute fishing outing and forgot to put the transom plug in -- Mercrusier 4.3 --2003 Trophy 2052.
At first not much happened because the oil drain hose prevented great quantities of water from entering the bilge. When the bilge pump started automatically I knew something was wrong. I opened the engine cover and a white froth was pouring out the the valve cover vents connected to the carb. -- one had fallen off and was depositing it's goo onto the alternator.
As the boat had traveled through the water the transom oil drain hose extended and was cut off by the prop and sea water was sucked into the engine; hence the white goo.
Fortunately we were within a few hundred yards of the launch ramp. I estimate the engine had been running at idle for approx. 30 min. after the hose was cut as we were drift fishing. Once back into the dock there was still some untainted oil on the dip-stick but it was reading way over filled -- I suspect due to the intrusion of sea water.
At no time did the engine temp gauge show overheating nor were there any bad sounds coming from the engine -- it ran smoothly until shut off at the ramp.
I will gladly accept any serious scoldings and admonitions due me-- I am already too embarrassed and upset to be humiliated any further -- in exchange for any advice which may be offered. I know there must have been some other bone head somewhere who has committed the same egregious error. The only good news in this story is that we weren't ten miles off shore. I humbly await your wisdom.
Took my son on a last minute fishing outing and forgot to put the transom plug in -- Mercrusier 4.3 --2003 Trophy 2052.
At first not much happened because the oil drain hose prevented great quantities of water from entering the bilge. When the bilge pump started automatically I knew something was wrong. I opened the engine cover and a white froth was pouring out the the valve cover vents connected to the carb. -- one had fallen off and was depositing it's goo onto the alternator.
As the boat had traveled through the water the transom oil drain hose extended and was cut off by the prop and sea water was sucked into the engine; hence the white goo.
Fortunately we were within a few hundred yards of the launch ramp. I estimate the engine had been running at idle for approx. 30 min. after the hose was cut as we were drift fishing. Once back into the dock there was still some untainted oil on the dip-stick but it was reading way over filled -- I suspect due to the intrusion of sea water.
At no time did the engine temp gauge show overheating nor were there any bad sounds coming from the engine -- it ran smoothly until shut off at the ramp.
I will gladly accept any serious scoldings and admonitions due me-- I am already too embarrassed and upset to be humiliated any further -- in exchange for any advice which may be offered. I know there must have been some other bone head somewhere who has committed the same egregious error. The only good news in this story is that we weren't ten miles off shore. I humbly await your wisdom.
