Engine Alarm Went Off

[Stormydog]

Hello all, well the boating season is upon us. I got my boat in the water yesterday, finally. I have two questions to ask:

1. The through hauls were open for the engine. The motor was running, water was coming out from the stern. Then the engine alarm goes off. I turned off the engine. Waited a bit and then started the engine again. No alarm. I pull it out of the lift slip and start going down the river to my slip. The engine alarm goes off again. I put the boat in neutral, and let the river take me more or less to my slip. All the time the engine alarm is going. Water is still coming out of the stern. Then all of a sudden the engine alarm goes off. This happen to me yesterday and I have been thinking all night what the problem could be. The engine oil level is good. It was winterized by the local marina. The lifting slip did have alot of junk in the area. Maybe something got suck in to the through haul, and either was pulled in or fell off on our trip down the river. Is there anything I can check.

2. Once I got the boat in the slip. I filled the two water holding tanks. First I filled the bow tank. Open the kitchen facet and water was coming out. Not is a good stream. I turned on the water pump when seeing how the water was coming out. At this time the stern tank was not filled. I turned off the facet and then the water pump going. After awhile I open up the facet and then same thing happen. I turned off the facet and turned off the water pump. And filled the stern holding tank. Once that was filled I turned on the water pump and wait awhile, and then open the facet. Water comes out good at the beginning and then it starts spitting out. So I am thinking I have some air in the water line. Am I correct, and how do i remove this. And it seems the water pump will not shut off. It keeps going. How long should I leave the water pump on, so I do not burn out the pump, and how do I get this air out of the water line.

I was planning on going out to the boat today, but it is raining down here. So I hope I can get some answers from anyone out there.

Thanks, and have a safe season.

John Hayden

 

[stevec22206]

Can only offer this tip concerning water flow. Have you checked the aerators on the faucet. Every time we've experienced this same symptom it has been caused by the accumulation of crud. Remove the aerator and flush it then see if that helps.

Steve

 

[py26129]

Regarding your engine alarm going off: Is your engine raw water cooled or is it fresh water cooled, with a heat exchanger?

If it's fresh water cooled, then it is possible that the coolant silow and the engienis over heating even with plenty of water coming out of the exhaust at the stern. This scenario happend to me last year when one of the hoses on the engine had a pinhole leak and left coolant in the pan under the engine. After I replaced the hose & topped up the coolant.

If the engine is raw water cooled, I have no idea.

Cheers

Matt

 

[Calif. Ted]

Let's start with the easier one,
2. On most Catalinas with 2 freshwater tanks the bow tank is higher and will gravity feed to the aft tank if both valves are open. You do have air in the lines and probably 6 gallons of air in the hot water heater. The pump should run until system is pressurized then slow and shut down. Besides the aerators mentioned, there is a small screen filter on the intake side of the freshwater pump that may be clogged and impeding water flow. Once the system is pressurized you can usually bleed the air off the system at the galley sink (usually highest point). Air compresses, water doesn't so just crack the tap open.
2. If there was sufficient water flow thru exhaust and temperature gauge didn't show above normal, it maybe the alarm. What engine do you have ? The Universals sometimes exhibit this problem due to loose or corroded electrical connections. Was it running hot or just the alarm sounding?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Before anyone gets too far ahead of your question, you need to be more specific - what alarm? temp? oil pressure? low voltage?