After returning from a trip on the Hudson River a little while back, I was flushing the engine on muffs and was concerned when it took about 30 sec for water to start flowing out of the engine. This boat has a 350 MAG Bravo 3. Having bought the boat last fall, I had planned to change the seawater pump impeller anyway. That sucker is way down in there, but with some good online advise, plenty of time head first in the engine compartment, and several episodes of choice words, I was able to remove the pump only to find the impeller was in reasonable shape. It had some memory (paddles bent over after removed) so I replaced the impeller with new and installed the pump. All satisfied with the success, I added the muffs and had a real difficult time getting the boat to draw water through the engine. I tried several things. I was finally successful after removing a cooling hose from the top of the engine and "priming" the pump by refilling the engine et al with water, replacing the hose, and then starting on muffs. Of course, I had drained the water earlier to do the work. None of this seems too good. However, I have had no problems with engine overheat on the water. By now, I was concerned the new impeller was burnt, so out the pump came again. Surprisingly, not problem with the impeller. I guess assembling with vasoline helped. This time, I payed a little closer attention to wear in the pump casing and other online accounts of Bravo 3 pumps (a la It is a long way from the water intake, and there is no wear plate) Pictures clearly show wear and water does seep easily from output to input if the pump is not turning. This suggests it won't draw water without prime. I am not surprised; this pump has 650 hours.
- Have others had trouble getting a Bravo 3 to draw water on muffs? Is there a trick?
- I found what appears to be a couple retrofit wearplate options, but this only seems to provide for the backing plate and not the pump housing. I am not sure how well it works since it is a retrofit solution. Any first hand accounts?
- So should I bite the bullet for a new pump; is it money well spent? Any other recommendations?
- New pumps seem to come absent the pulley. Will this work for the switch? Pulley Remover and Installer Set
It will soon be my first aniversay as a boat owner, and I have spent may hours learning from the much more experienced folks here. Very much appreciated.
- Have others had trouble getting a Bravo 3 to draw water on muffs? Is there a trick?
- I found what appears to be a couple retrofit wearplate options, but this only seems to provide for the backing plate and not the pump housing. I am not sure how well it works since it is a retrofit solution. Any first hand accounts?
- So should I bite the bullet for a new pump; is it money well spent? Any other recommendations?
- New pumps seem to come absent the pulley. Will this work for the switch? Pulley Remover and Installer Set
It will soon be my first aniversay as a boat owner, and I have spent may hours learning from the much more experienced folks here. Very much appreciated.
