I made a post last week about soot in my exhaust, and this is a follow up on that. This weekend, major bummer, the idiot light came on, with the alarm! I killed the engine and drifted to a dock, where I let it cool for a couple hours. When I tried to restart the engine, the alarm was still on. I then jumped overboard ( it was dark, and alligators frequent the area!) to check the prop and intake- all clear. I then called the dealer, Govert, who advised me to check the strainer and impellor. I checked the strainer, it was a little murky so I rinsed it out. The impellor was a different story- I couldn't find it. I had a boatyard fellow help me out for this...sure enough it was shattered! I'm now thinking that the original exhaust soot was due to overheating, would anybody agree? And do I need to do anything else than backwashing the system and replacing the impellor?
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Wish I Could Agree .........................
.......... but its doubtful that an overheated engine JUST UNDER ALARM CONDITIONS would cause smoking. If anything, a slightly overheated engine will result in marginally improved combustion characteristics. I believe our collective opinion is still that the engine needs some good hard labour. When the pump is back in service, try running it about 3500 for a one minute each hour and see if the soot decreases after a few hours. Hope this helps. Ragards, s/v Island Hunter
.......... but its doubtful that an overheated engine JUST UNDER ALARM CONDITIONS would cause smoking. If anything, a slightly overheated engine will result in marginally improved combustion characteristics. I believe our collective opinion is still that the engine needs some good hard labour. When the pump is back in service, try running it about 3500 for a one minute each hour and see if the soot decreases after a few hours. Hope this helps. Ragards, s/v Island Hunter
One minute each hour?
yes, I think the engine needs some TLC...I was thinking to run it at least 40 minutes each use, if I can get it up and running.. That's what my dealer says, don't just run it for short periods...and because I don't have a tachometer, to just put it at full throttle, then bring it back a bit.My problem is I prefer sailing over motoring. So you think it was a coincidence-the soot just prior to the overheating?
yes, I think the engine needs some TLC...I was thinking to run it at least 40 minutes each use, if I can get it up and running.. That's what my dealer says, don't just run it for short periods...and because I don't have a tachometer, to just put it at full throttle, then bring it back a bit.My problem is I prefer sailing over motoring. So you think it was a coincidence-the soot just prior to the overheating?
Soot from hot engine...
When an engine is running hotter than normal, it is my opinion that it also smokes (mine does) and will accumilate on the transom. If there is a blockage in the intake that reduces cooling water intake, it will run hotter. I always check the strainer before starting the engine - always.
When an engine is running hotter than normal, it is my opinion that it also smokes (mine does) and will accumilate on the transom. If there is a blockage in the intake that reduces cooling water intake, it will run hotter. I always check the strainer before starting the engine - always.
Always Checking Your Strainer?
Paul, how do you go about always checking the strainer before starting the engine? My boat lives in some fairly cold waters, and the clarity is not adequate to take a look-see without jumping in.
Paul, how do you go about always checking the strainer before starting the engine? My boat lives in some fairly cold waters, and the clarity is not adequate to take a look-see without jumping in.
Easy!
JimO: It is easy to check the strainer. 1. Close the seacock for the raw water intake. Remove the strainer cover (usually two wing nuts) and pull out the basket strainer. 2. Open the seacock and see if SEAWATER flows. If it does not you may have a blockage at the hull. You can sometimes run a piece of stiff wire down the open seacock to clear it. If you cannot clear it with a piece of wire, you can try a small nozzle on a hose and see if the water pressure does the job. 3. If this does not work, have a couple of warm brandies and coffee and jump in and check it out. PS: The warm brandies do nothing except help get your courage up.
JimO: It is easy to check the strainer. 1. Close the seacock for the raw water intake. Remove the strainer cover (usually two wing nuts) and pull out the basket strainer. 2. Open the seacock and see if SEAWATER flows. If it does not you may have a blockage at the hull. You can sometimes run a piece of stiff wire down the open seacock to clear it. If you cannot clear it with a piece of wire, you can try a small nozzle on a hose and see if the water pressure does the job. 3. If this does not work, have a couple of warm brandies and coffee and jump in and check it out. PS: The warm brandies do nothing except help get your courage up.
Jim Ormond...
...I am referring to an internal strainer. Not the clamshell type on the external hull. After the water enters thru the seacock it routes to a strainer that can be manually checked as Steve indicates, but there the also a glass-type cylinder that can be visually checked with a flashlight. No thanks, about jumping in. I just spent two month's in Maine waters and have no desire to jump in there. Just seeing as many seals as we saw told me that it's too cold
...I am referring to an internal strainer. Not the clamshell type on the external hull. After the water enters thru the seacock it routes to a strainer that can be manually checked as Steve indicates, but there the also a glass-type cylinder that can be visually checked with a flashlight. No thanks, about jumping in. I just spent two month's in Maine waters and have no desire to jump in there. Just seeing as many seals as we saw told me that it's too cold
TO JIM ORMOND OF ST. HELENS, OR...
Did you by chance used to work for GTE? If so, would you please send me an e-mail at tandpcox@gte.net? Regards, Terry Cox S/V Belle-Vie
Did you by chance used to work for GTE? If so, would you please send me an e-mail at tandpcox@gte.net? Regards, Terry Cox S/V Belle-Vie
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