My first post and actually my first real problem with the boat. It?s a 1997 Larson with 4.3 Volvo SX drive. I?m in MN, and all boating is fresh water. After doing my own winterizations for over 10 years, I screwed up big time this past season. I forgot to tighten the clamp for the large water pump hose where it attaches to the thermostat housing. Everything was fine when I ran it in the driveway for the first startup of the year. It was not until I dropped it into the lake and ran at higher RPM?s that the hose blew off. By the time I realized what had happened, water in the bilge was over the crankshaft pulley. I pulled over towards shore, and drained the bilge and re-installed the hose. Although everything runs fine, I?m concerned about any long term damage, and am hoping someone could tell me what should be checked right away. A few questions:
1.Starter. I?m almost sure the starter was submerged for this period of time. Should it be removed and dried out?
2.Gimbal bearing and outdrive. With water that high, could water have leaked back into the gimbal bearing, bellows etc? There appears to be a seal between the gimbal bearing and inside engine compartment that I?m hoping would have prevented water leaking back into the gimbal bearing. I?m thinking that maybe I should pull the boat back out of the water and take it to the local Volvo dealer to remove and inspect the outdrive.
This boat has been great for our family, and I want to do the right things to correct any water damage that may have been done. I?m still kicking myself over doing something so stupid! My first change will be an automatic bilge pump instead of the manual one that?s in there now. Thanks for any help.
1.Starter. I?m almost sure the starter was submerged for this period of time. Should it be removed and dried out?
2.Gimbal bearing and outdrive. With water that high, could water have leaked back into the gimbal bearing, bellows etc? There appears to be a seal between the gimbal bearing and inside engine compartment that I?m hoping would have prevented water leaking back into the gimbal bearing. I?m thinking that maybe I should pull the boat back out of the water and take it to the local Volvo dealer to remove and inspect the outdrive.
This boat has been great for our family, and I want to do the right things to correct any water damage that may have been done. I?m still kicking myself over doing something so stupid! My first change will be an automatic bilge pump instead of the manual one that?s in there now. Thanks for any help.