First day out-breakdown

[pokman]

Well we just bought our first boat two weeks ago, 94 Rinker captiva 170 with a 94 merc 125 outboard. We ran it for about a hour slowly the day after I bought it, but today was our first planned day out with stops. We were out for 4 hours great day boat was running great it was ausum. On the way back to my buddies who was boating with us in his boat-the alarm went off. I didn't hear it at first since we were wot and it got windy. So I finally heard shut her off and first thing I did was fill up the oil but it kept doing the alarm-then I noticed the motor wasn't shooting water out so I got towed back to the landing. So it looks like I need a new water pump but just to make sure tomorrow I am gonna do a back flush, I really hope I didn't do any damage to the motor from not hearing the alarm right away, that is my big fear. Anybody do a water pump on a motor like this? Hopefully I can just get her fixed quick, just a suck ending to a great day.

 

[BTMCB]

Re: First day out-breakdown

When you heard the alarm, what did the temp gauge read?

What prompted you to add oil? Bad pressure reading? Dipstck at "add" level?

Just curious. Alarm could sound for either problem.

Good luck and a quick return to the water!!

 

[pokman]

Re: First day out-breakdown

I don't have a temp gauge so I'm not sure about that. I put oil in because it does alarm also if the oil gets low and I had been out for quite a while but the alarm for low oil is not a constant alarm it beeps on and off, and this was a constant alarm which means overheating according to the manual. And I did notice no water coming out of the pee hole.

 

[cr2k]

Re: First day out-breakdown

If you didn't run too long you may get away with an impeller. If it was awhile you may have toasted your housing. One thing that can cause what you had happen even with good water pump is those damn Ice Bags. Many people just toss em. They float just below the surface and can wrap around your drive covering the intake holes.

Replacing the impeller is fairly straight forward, DL the correct manual and go for it if you are fairly decent with tools and mechanical stuff. If not I would bite the bullet and pay for service. Even though it's fairly straight forward there are things that can get screwed up if you don't follow the manual or have a clue.

 

[pokman]

Re: First day out-breakdown

Cr2K-

I am going to replace the whole water pump regardless, it is still the original. I was more worried about the rest of the motor- it was only a short while after the alarm probably 2 minutes at most, should I be worried and what should I look for. I will probably try the pump myself, I am new to outboards but have two buddies who know their stuff. If I can't get to it with them I'll take it in this week, want to be back on the water next weekend-fingers crossed.

 

[Newbie@boats]

Re: First day out-breakdown

Just for a peice of mind, I always take a look to see if water is coming out of the **** holes