No fresh water flow through outdrive.

[Colorado04]

Just got a new to me Galaxy 170 83'/84' with a VP AQ125A/270 setup.

Motor over heats. I figured out that fresh water isn't passing through the out drive. I removed the hose at the top of it and it was dry in the hose. If I put muffs to it, is water supposed to come out the top under the pressure of the hose?

How big of a PITA would it be to clean out the passages? I have a manual I found here, but the pictures aren't that great in it.

Thanks.

Donnie.

 

[wellcraft19]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

Yes, with muffs water is supposed to come out. When running on muffs, you also need to temporarily plug the hole where the drain plug for the oil is found (else muffs might not produce enough pressure/flow).

Never seen a "dry" hose (indicates a serious issue/blockage), but try to remove the hose connection on top of the drive, where the hose from the transom shield connects. That connection can corrode. Most common is that the corrosion leads to air leaks so engine cannot suck up enough water, but you might have some type of blockage by that 90 degree angle.

 

[captmello]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

have you checked and/or changed the impeller? It should be replaced every two years.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

Thanks for the responses.

I will check the 90 deg. elbow at he top of the outdrive. It was "powdery" with corrosion on the inside when I took the hose off.

Yes, the impellor in the sea water pump is new. I stuck the hose in the inlet "s" hose where it connects to the top of the outdrive. With the hose on, I ran the motor. Tons of water came out the exhaust and the motor came up to what seemed to be a good "normal" operating temp.

I'm hoping that it will be an easy fix. Fingers crossed....

Are the water passages fairly large inside the out drive. I'm really hesitant about opening it up. Never did it before. If I do, am i in for a world of hurt?

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

That hose connection is a known failure point so it makes sense to replace that first as a part of routine maintenance. They usually sell that as a kit along with the beaded gasket. Take a good look at that "S" hose as well. A cut from the hose clamp will also cause an air leak.

As an FYI, be careful with the screws holding the connection onto the outdrive. Use heat if necessary to avoid rounding the allen heads or breaking off the screws.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

Thanks Pirate.

Will have to double check all the hoses etc. as soon as the weather dries up here. What kinda things go wrong there? Is it mostly air leaks and blockages?

 

[wellcraft19]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

Air leaks, common. Old hoses collapsing under vacuum, yes. Blockages in the drive that totally stops water flow, never really heard of them.

Could previous owner have ran the boat in "mud" and the water pickup tube that goes from the bottom of the drive be caked full with dry mud/silt? If you get the 90 degree connector off, you could gently try to clean the tube with a soft wire. Pipe is straight down to the lower unit.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

Wellcraft19, that's what I'm leaning towards. I can see through the slots of the side intake. When I reached under for the bottom intake, after I was told it was there, it was blocked with junk. I'll do as suggested and remove the 90 at the top and see if I can put my borrowed scope down the passage to see what I can find. Those scope's/camera's that you can at the box stores are great for checking out stuff in hard to see/reach places. It's displays in colour too. Frigin great.

 

[Mullin]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

It's displays in colour too. Frigin great.

That's pretty trick.

Can't you just hook up the hose the the outdrive up top like you did to the motor and back flush the drive? You would be able to see wear any leaks are (like at the transom or at the yolk), or possibly blow out any blockages.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

That's pretty trick.

Can't you just hook up the hose the the outdrive up top like you did to the motor and back flush the drive? You would be able to see wear any leaks are (like at the transom or at the yolk), or possibly blow out any blockages.

WHAT????.... and miss the chance to play with a new toy???

 

[Don S]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

After you get done playing with new toys and not finding any blockage in your cooling system, let me know.
You probably have an air leak. Question is, where.

 

[Colorado04]

Re: No fresh water flow through outdrive.

As usuasl... Don S. is correct.

Although pretty neat to scope it out, it was wide open. The elbow seal was pretty worn and the o ring pretty flat. I'm gonna connect a hose extension to the intake on the seawater pump and work back to the outdrive to try to find the air leak(s).

BTW. I'm try to disconnect the steering helmet from the upper gear box. I've removed the two allen bolts and nothing moves free. From what I've read, it should just pivot up. Any suggestions?

Thanks.