What to do after getting I/o in sand

[Earthad58]

So I was out in my new to me 95 reinell 2030 brxl today on the river and found a guy and his family in a new Malibu wake setter that was stuck in the river in some shallows, mid, sand, weeds etc. I slowly went in tied on to him with a rope and after several tries got him out, got stuck myself once but got out and managed to bang up my prop pretty good doing it as well, so my question is, what should I do? I was turning up lots of mud and weeds etc, I tried to trim up as high as I could and still pull but I'm sure I pumped all kinds of mud and debri into my engine, should I be worried about anything? I'm new to boats, but am mechanically inclined so should I pull the thermostat and flush it? Or just run it. Btw it is a 5.7l merc with a alpha one out drive

 

[thumpar]

When was the impeller last changed. That may be something to check. You would pull the bottom drain plugs and see what comes out. Most likely your are fine but watch your temps close the next few times out.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Take your boat on a long run and watch your temp

 

[juicebronco]

Honestly, if it was real sandy, I would split the lower unit and replace the o-ring on the shaft that runs from the upper gear case to the lower gear case. I ran into some muck at speeds (fish finder was on the fritz) everything seemed fine, but it was the end of the season. Didn't make it much into the next season, and that oring gave out, which then led to the fluid in the upper gear case draining out. As we all know, no lube on gears, and they don't last long. I had to replace the entire upper gear case because of a little o ring failure. Was it cause by sand in there? I don't know, it could have just been due to old age, but to me the piece of mind, vs the difficulty is worth splitting it, and at least cleaning it up to make sure it's in good shape. While your at it, you can change the impeller.

 

[Bt Doctur]

What to do after getting I/o in sand


Shut the motor off and call Sea-Tow
So being "Mr.Nice Guy" will cost you a prop and water pump kit, maybe manifolds and risers.
Next time cast a line to him and have him tie his anchor line to it You stay in deep water.
. Never get yourself in trouble trying to save a boat. A life YES, a stuck boat NO

 

[thumpar]

Honestly, if it was real sandy, I would split the lower unit and replace the o-ring on the shaft that runs from the upper gear case to the lower gear case. I ran into some muck at speeds (fish finder was on the fritz) everything seemed fine, but it was the end of the season. Didn't make it much into the next season, and that oring gave out, which then led to the fluid in the upper gear case draining out. As we all know, no lube on gears, and they don't last long. I had to replace the entire upper gear case because of a little o ring failure. Was it cause by sand in there? I don't know, it could have just been due to old age, but to me the piece of mind, vs the difficulty is worth splitting it, and at least cleaning it up to make sure it's in good shape. While your at it, you can change the impeller.

If you are talking about the o-ring on the vertical shaft that goes in the groove, you don't even need it. I would never install it on mine.

 

[juicebronco]

If you are talking about the o-ring on the vertical shaft that goes in the groove, you don't even need it. I would never install it on mine.

Then how does the lube stay in there? Mine went bad, and the fluid drained out. With no seal, the fluid has nothing to hold it in. I'm not following how you could possibly not need it.

 

[thumpar]

Then how does the lube stay in there? Mine went bad, and the fluid drained out. With no seal, the fluid has nothing to hold it in. I'm not following how you could possibly not need it.

There is a seal in the upper that actually does all the sealing. The one on the shaft is not needed.

 

[savetexomabeaches]

Open the drain holes on your block and let the water and muck out. You may need to poke up inside of there due to blockage with a piece of wire or something.. Reinstall drain plugs and go for a long run with your boat. should flush it out