It's Alive!

[tkincaid86]

I got my newly acquired Mercruiser 228 w alpa one to start today after cleaning and rebuilding the carb. She idle great and throttled up smooth. Now, I have Q's about the cooling system:<br /><br />1. When idling with muffs on, shouldn't there be water coming out of prop exhaust?<br /><br />2. About how long should it take for t-stat to open at idle?<br /><br />3. As I don't have an outdrive manual yet, is very difficult to replace impellor?

 

[sculbert]

Re: It's Alive!

Yes you should have water comming out. make sure you have enough water going thorugh the muffs. <br /><br />the Water pump impellor is easy to replace. be carefull putting it back to make sure the pump tube inserts correctly. There is a trick to making it easier. The smaller tube on top of the tube should be inserted into the top half of the outdrive and the smaller wider tube in the lower pump houseing. whe n you split the unit you will see hwat I am talking about. The hardest thing is getting the oil back in. that is a pain in my eyes and hands. I built a extended tube deal that allows me too force feed the fluid in throught the drain hole at the bottom. This made it easier to fill the unit back up. Good luck!

 

[tkincaid86]

Re: It's Alive!

Does t-stat have to open before water comes out?<br />I'm thinking I'll be replacing my first impellor this week. Anything else I should do while I'm down There? Thanks for the tip!

 

[sculbert]

Re: It's Alive!

no mine has water comming out when the temp unit is closed. there is a bypass circuit that keeps water flowing all the time to keep the manifold cooled. I would check your Exhaust bellows and make sure it doesn't have a tear in it. It is just below the bigger drive shaft bellows. You have exhaust comming out of the prop area? If exhaust is getting there the water should too.<br /><br />Just check the condition of the oil when you drain it and make sure there isn't metal or anytning in it. FYI putting the outdrvie back on can be fun. If you get it all back on to the point or about 1 to 2 inches and it doesn't seem like it is going on. Kick it!!

 

[KRS]

Re: It's Alive!

What did the temp climb to during the test, if it went over 200 deg F then water wasn't circulating properly. Also know that the impeller isn't the only water pump, there will be an engine water pump, check that and the thermostat, may as well replace the hoses while you are at it.<br /><br />With my Alpha one, the exhaust and water come out just below the gimbal housing, where the outdrive pivots.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[tkincaid86]

Re: It's Alive!

Going to replace impellor this week. The Boat has been sitting for a few years, then I will have a look at Water pump, t-stat, hoses etc. As I understand it, a mercruiser 228 should run about 150 degrees or so? With luck, maybe I can get it wet this weekend.

 

[tkincaid86]

Re: It's Alive!

Pulled lower unit off today and so far so good. Oil looked clean, no shavings etc. Impellor was in pretty bad shape but everything else good. Going to pick up kit tommorrow and put it back together. I guess my biggest concern is where the pieces of the impellor went. Could they get into the cooling system and damage or clog it? Any advice on reassembly? Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: It's Alive!

I guess my biggest concern is where the pieces of the impellor went. Could they get into the cooling system and damage or clog it?

If you look at the In-coming Water Line, from the Transom Plate forward, The line runs from the transom to the P/S Cooler, to the T-stat housing...........<br />Most Likely you'll find All the pieces stacked up againest the P/S Cooler.........<br />You can try Back-Flushing from the T-stat housing........<br />Make Sure you can account for All the missing pieces..............<br /><br />Good Luck............

 

[tkincaid86]

Re: It's Alive!

Installed impellor this evening and everything went smooth. Except for installing lower unit twice because I forgot about the allen head screw for the trim tab. Oh well, practice for next time I guess. Anyhow, I got it fired up with the muffs on and let it idle for few minutes and temp guage read good. I then let it idle at about 1500 rpm for a few minutes and temp stayed stable at about 150 or so. And I also had a good amount of water flow. I think I got it licked? I getting real anxiuos now, it is time to get it wet. Thanks for your tips!

 

[sculbert]

Re: It's Alive!

Good Luck, I am taking mine out for the first time tommorrow also. hope mine and your expereince is good.