Cooling Problems?

[BrianCathcart]

Hello all,

I thought today would be a good day to take the boat out for an afternoon cruise with the family.

After launching, I idled out of the "no wake" zone and kicked it up to about 1500 rpm's. After a couple min at that speed, I kicked it up to about 2k. I motored down the channel for a little ways when my wife says, " what's that smell? " I turn to look at the engine compartment, and I notice a little smoke.

I immediately shut the engine down, and toss the anchor out. As soon as I pop the engine cover, smoke / steam billows out at me. It was also pretty hot in the compartment also.

As all this is happening, the coast guard patrol boat is passing by, he circles, and stops to make sure all is OK.

After a few minutes, then engine wouldn't fire, so, they towed me back to the marina where we launched.

After getting it back home, my first thought it abviously it overheated. So, I check the thermostat, appears to be good, and opens in hot water. The water manifolds seem unusally hot to the touch, and there seems to be alot less water flowing through the engine than "normal".

Any ideas on " what to check " next?

Any thoughts on what happened?

EDIT: It is a 1985 Celebrity - mercruiser outdrive - 350ci

Thanks in advance,

Brian

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Cooling Problems?

Had the boat been winterized?

Before you launched, did you do your maintenance, including changing the raw water impeller?

Did you run it on the trailer at home prior to launching? Did it overheat then?

Did you check for blockage/obstructions/plastic bags at the lower unit raw water pick up area?

I'm betting impeller...

 

[BrianCathcart]

Re: Cooling Problems?

Had the boat been winterized?

Before you launched, did you do your maintenance, including changing the raw water impeller?

Did you run it on the trailer at home prior to launching? Did it overheat then?

Did you check for blockage/obstructions/plastic bags at the lower unit raw water pick up area?

I'm betting impeller...

#1 No, has been kept in garage, and is used throughout the winter for fishing.

#2 My grandfather says he changed the impeller about 3 months ago.

#3 No problems on trailer at home. Although, I didn't run it much on the trailer, only enough to make sure it was starting and idling OK.

#4 No blockages that I can see.

 

[BrianCathcart]

Re: Cooling Problems?

What causes an impeller to go bad? and would this cause the engine to overheat?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Cooling Problems?

#3 No problems on trailer at home. Although, I didn't run it much on the trailer, only enough to make sure it was starting and idling OK.

Were you supplying it with water (hose and muffs) when you started it? If not that can ruin the impeller (and he exhaust shutters).

 

[BrianCathcart]

Re: Cooling Problems?

Were you supplying it with water (hose and muffs) when you started it? If not that can ruin the impeller (and he exhaust shutters).

Yes, hose and muffs were used, at all times when starting the engine out of the water.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Cooling Problems?

Was this the first run since the impeller was done?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Cooling Problems?

The impeller should be changed at least every other year.Preferably every year.The more you use it the more you change it.You say it's an 85 model. What repairs in the last 20 years? Manifolds/risers? Some more info please?
Change the impeller(post pic).If the impeller looks good,then while the drives off stick the hose in the hole and start it in the drive way.See if it get's hot that way.Don't over rev in the yard.J

 

[Don S]

Re: Cooling Problems?

Check the impeller, all it would take is a plastic bag over the water intake, and you loose cooling water, and probably the impeller and housing.

 

[BrianCathcart]

Re: Cooling Problems?

Was this the first run since the impeller was done?

Yes, 1st run since impeller was done.


I will go get an impeller this weekend, change it, and post pics.

Thanks everyone for the quick replies!

Brian

 

[Don S]

Re: Cooling Problems?

I will go get an impeller this weekend, change it, and post pics.

Don't just go get an impeller, pull it apart first and find out what happened and fix what needs fixed. Were the gaskets replaced the first time the impeller was changed? Is the pump housing and base in good shape? Not melted or warped?

 

[BrianCathcart]

Re: Cooling Problems?

Don't just go get an impeller, pull it apart first and find out what happened and fix what needs fixed. Were the gaskets replaced the first time the impeller was changed? Is the pump housing and base in good shape? Not melted or warped?

Very good advice Sir,

I seem to "jump the gun" on things like this. I will pull it apart this week, and inspect it to see if that is the problem.