newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

[bowman1802]

i have a AQ125A volvo with a 270 outdrive and i forgot to tighten the petcock before hitting the water for the first time, as you can imagine filled hull with water, after running for ten min cut off. What did i do to it? and how to fix?

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

Are you talking about the petcock on the exhaust manifold?

 

[craze1cars]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

You most likely did nothing but flood your bilge. Have no idea how deep it got, but if you submerged your starter, alternator, computers, or any of those types of things you might have problems with them later.

Presumably you have an automatic bilge pump and it didn't get that deep? If no, then you clearly need an automatic bilge pump...install one or fix what you've got.

So overall if the water didn't get that deep in the bilge, just make sure all drain plugs are tight and chalk it up to a lesson learned...

 

[Augoose]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

I did the same thing the day I was selling my old boat this past spring. I got down to the water early to get it all warmed up and I was in such a rush I forgot to install the manifold drain bolts, riser drain bolts and forgot to close the drain on each side of the block. I started it up and backed off the trailer, all the while wondering why the engine sounded "different". The engine quickly died and my repeated attempts to start it up in a panic after realizing what I had done ended up nearly flooding the engine. As if it wasn't bad enough already, the wind that morning was pushing me away from the trailer and ramp!
Finally got it running, ran it quickly back up onto the trailer before I took on too much water and got it all cleaned out. Considered it a "bilge freshening", not to mention it probably cleaned out the manifolds a bit with all the water running through.
Certainly not the best thing for the lake but it wasn't intentional

 

[bowman1802]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

reply yes sir to the drain on exhaust manifold, do not have auto bilge but did catch it i believe before water got to high, watched temp for first five and ran normal and after running clear to the other end of lake is when it cut out and wouldn't start. when it died it was at WOT and made some pretty good clanking. could i have overheated something and blew it?

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

So to be clear, you left the exhaust manifold petcock open which filled the bilge up with water.

After a while you noticed your boat was filling up with water, so you closed the valve and pumped out the water with your bilge pump.

At this point the engine was running fine, and engine temperature was normal.

You then drove to the other side of the lake which is where you had issues with the engine. It was at WOT when there was a clanking noise and it cut out, and you have not been able to start it since.

Does this sound accurate?

If so, I would start with a simple compression check just to get the diagnosis going. I think you'll find some bad results.

 

[bowman1802]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

Close didn't notice the water until the motor cut out. Ran a compression test on cylinders one and three tonight both at 150 psi. Still won't fire. Has to be ignition right?

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

Well, you heard clanking. That tells me your issue is mechanical.

You should finish testing the compression of the remaining two cylinders.

How high on the engine did the water get? Did it get to just the oil pan or did it come up by the alternator and such?

 

[bowman1802]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

Honestly don't think it even made it to oil pan thinkin maybe it sloping around.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

Has to be ignition right?

What leads you do this conclusion? To test your ignition, check for spark. Have you done this?

Use methodical troubleshooting. In addition to spark, engines also need compression and fuel to run. So far it sounds like you've done only half a compression test, and I haven't heard any results of your testing for fuel delivery or spark.

From your cryptic description of what happened, and lack of water depth in the bilge, and the fact that you say your temp gauge stayed normal, I will suspect whatever problem you're experiencing is entirely unrelated to forgetting to close the petcock.

 

[bowman1802]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

finished compression test all at 150 psi. Also checked for spark-none. Pulled coil wire- had spark, pulled distributor cap and seen rotor button is fried!

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

Yep I agree, whatever your problem is it's probably unrelated to the water in the bilge. I was thinking it filled up much more than you just said it did.

I'm still wondering about that "clanking" noise you heard though.

 

[bowman1802]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

i really wish i knew too. guess ill find out when new rotor button comes. any online parts stores anyone likes?

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: newbie: forgot to tighten petcock for first time out

iboats carries all kinds of parts at good prices. Otherwise I'm not too familiar with the options.

Have you made any progress on this? What's the latest?