I have a 8hp Renalt Diesel. I was motoring into the harbor when I noticed a white smoke coming out of the exhaust. I cut the engine and sailed for a while. When I went to restart the engine I was unable move the throttle into gear, forward or reverse, and could not start the engine. Any thoughts? Thanks.
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overheated
yes, it seemed to be overheating. After I let the engine cool down, I went to restart and the throttle was locked up. Is this related?
yes, it seemed to be overheating. After I let the engine cool down, I went to restart and the throttle was locked up. Is this related?
It may be steam
I had the same thing happen to me yesterday. I was on my mooring running the engine at about 2000RPM and some seaweed got stuck in the raw water intake hole, blocking most of the water flow. What was happending was the trickle of water that was getting through was being vaporized (turning into steam) in my exhaust system. I had to take the hose off the thru hull valve and clear the hole with a coat hanger. I also needed to clean out my raw water strainer. Once I cleared the line, the problem went away. Is there a good flow of water coming out of your exhaust?
I had the same thing happen to me yesterday. I was on my mooring running the engine at about 2000RPM and some seaweed got stuck in the raw water intake hole, blocking most of the water flow. What was happending was the trickle of water that was getting through was being vaporized (turning into steam) in my exhaust system. I had to take the hose off the thru hull valve and clear the hole with a coat hanger. I also needed to clean out my raw water strainer. Once I cleared the line, the problem went away. Is there a good flow of water coming out of your exhaust?
Me too...
I had my raw water through hull plug up with seaweed - before the strainer. It caused my engine to overheat and steam to come out the rear. We needed pipe wrenches to disassemble the strainer to get to the plug, a coat hanger couldn't get through.
I had my raw water through hull plug up with seaweed - before the strainer. It caused my engine to overheat and steam to come out the rear. We needed pipe wrenches to disassemble the strainer to get to the plug, a coat hanger couldn't get through.
Blow it Out
Your indications are, as said prior to this, is that you are seeing steam from a lack of raw water flow. This has happened to me many times until I put a slotted strainer over my thru-hull on the hull side of the intake. But instead of using a wire hanger, I would close the valve, remove the hose, place my dinghy foot pump over the nipple, and while opening the valve, give it a good blast from the foot pump to reverse flush it. Worked every time and cleaned out the debris. This all happened five times one summer in Maine. You can also use a high pressure hose "cone" to do the same thing if you have a hase available at the time.
Your indications are, as said prior to this, is that you are seeing steam from a lack of raw water flow. This has happened to me many times until I put a slotted strainer over my thru-hull on the hull side of the intake. But instead of using a wire hanger, I would close the valve, remove the hose, place my dinghy foot pump over the nipple, and while opening the valve, give it a good blast from the foot pump to reverse flush it. Worked every time and cleaned out the debris. This all happened five times one summer in Maine. You can also use a high pressure hose "cone" to do the same thing if you have a hase available at the time.
Yo, Fred
What do you mean by "couldn't restart the engine"? Cranks but won't fire? Cranks slowly? Doesn't crank, no noise? Starter throws out with a thunk but won't turn over? Is your shift a one lever, throttle and fuel? In short, more info needed. While a clogged water intake will lead to overheating, I can't see a blocked intake locking a throttle, shifter, and preventing starting (unless, of course, the engine is seized).
What do you mean by "couldn't restart the engine"? Cranks but won't fire? Cranks slowly? Doesn't crank, no noise? Starter throws out with a thunk but won't turn over? Is your shift a one lever, throttle and fuel? In short, more info needed. While a clogged water intake will lead to overheating, I can't see a blocked intake locking a throttle, shifter, and preventing starting (unless, of course, the engine is seized).
Steve - were you sailing with us this week-end
Steve, as I read your account, I had to double check to make sure I hadn't written that account. The seaweed growth this year in and around our marine is just out of control. Even at high tide, my depth alarm is going off telling me we only have 4.7 feet of water beneath us when I know it is closer to 9 feet. Anyway, this past week-end, the exact same thing happened to us. Started up, everything sounded fine at first, then a little different sound, but water was still flowing fine so off we went. Well, about 10-15 minutes later, just as I'm about to raise the main, the temp alarm goes off. The wife was at the helm so I had her reduce RPMs to see if that helped, no luck and I could tell we were no longer pumping water. Since we were in the middle of a large body of water and in 43+ ft depth, I had her cut the motor and try to hold our position as best as I could. I pulled the strainer and some seaweed, but not bad. Since it wasn't enough to cause the blockage, I figured it must be blocked somewhere in the hose. I slowly reopened the seacock and no flow of water. A screwdriver didn't reach far enough, so the old coat hanger had to be pulled out of the tool box. One or two pushes and whamo, the water started flowing full tilt. I was able to pull out a good size clump of seaweed. Reconnected the hoses, and checked the strainer and water flow was excellent. Had the wife restart the engine, checked for leaks, ran the motor for another 15-20 minutes and everything was fine. Enjoyed the rest of the day sailing. The whole exercise took probably 10 minutes, I kept checking verbally every couple of seconds with the wife about depth and conditions. Probably could do it again in less than 5 minutes if needed. If the repair was going to take longer or conditions were different, I was prepared to sail to a safe location and drop anchor but this time didn't need to.
Steve, as I read your account, I had to double check to make sure I hadn't written that account. The seaweed growth this year in and around our marine is just out of control. Even at high tide, my depth alarm is going off telling me we only have 4.7 feet of water beneath us when I know it is closer to 9 feet. Anyway, this past week-end, the exact same thing happened to us. Started up, everything sounded fine at first, then a little different sound, but water was still flowing fine so off we went. Well, about 10-15 minutes later, just as I'm about to raise the main, the temp alarm goes off. The wife was at the helm so I had her reduce RPMs to see if that helped, no luck and I could tell we were no longer pumping water. Since we were in the middle of a large body of water and in 43+ ft depth, I had her cut the motor and try to hold our position as best as I could. I pulled the strainer and some seaweed, but not bad. Since it wasn't enough to cause the blockage, I figured it must be blocked somewhere in the hose. I slowly reopened the seacock and no flow of water. A screwdriver didn't reach far enough, so the old coat hanger had to be pulled out of the tool box. One or two pushes and whamo, the water started flowing full tilt. I was able to pull out a good size clump of seaweed. Reconnected the hoses, and checked the strainer and water flow was excellent. Had the wife restart the engine, checked for leaks, ran the motor for another 15-20 minutes and everything was fine. Enjoyed the rest of the day sailing. The whole exercise took probably 10 minutes, I kept checking verbally every couple of seconds with the wife about depth and conditions. Probably could do it again in less than 5 minutes if needed. If the repair was going to take longer or conditions were different, I was prepared to sail to a safe location and drop anchor but this time didn't need to.
My Custom Modification Works Great!
I made a custom modification to my 1992 H28 this year. This may be a little confusing to explain but it works great. First I added a two-way valve connected above the head intake thru hull valve. The thru hull valve always stays closed (except for the occasional opening and closing so it doesn't get stuck). The two-way valve goes either to my head OR to a tee connector feeding into my raw water strainer. Since the head intake valve is closed, no seaweed can get sucked into the hole (it is passively sitting there). However, if my engine intake hole gets clogged, I open the valves so that I start sucking cooling water thru the head intake. Switching to the emergency position only take a few seconds and allows me to keep running my engine (critical to maintaining boat control in tight situations especially with wind) and gives me time to get the seaweed cleared from my "real" raw water intake. [Did this make any sense at all?]
I made a custom modification to my 1992 H28 this year. This may be a little confusing to explain but it works great. First I added a two-way valve connected above the head intake thru hull valve. The thru hull valve always stays closed (except for the occasional opening and closing so it doesn't get stuck). The two-way valve goes either to my head OR to a tee connector feeding into my raw water strainer. Since the head intake valve is closed, no seaweed can get sucked into the hole (it is passively sitting there). However, if my engine intake hole gets clogged, I open the valves so that I start sucking cooling water thru the head intake. Switching to the emergency position only take a few seconds and allows me to keep running my engine (critical to maintaining boat control in tight situations especially with wind) and gives me time to get the seaweed cleared from my "real" raw water intake. [Did this make any sense at all?]
locked up
Thanks for you reply, sorry for tnhe delay I was out for a few days. I had the smoking/overheating issue and then when I went to restart after letting the engine cool down It wouldn't fire (nothing) and the throttle shifter was locked up. Hoping not seized, going to look at it tonight. Any thoughts on what to look for?
Thanks for you reply, sorry for tnhe delay I was out for a few days. I had the smoking/overheating issue and then when I went to restart after letting the engine cool down It wouldn't fire (nothing) and the throttle shifter was locked up. Hoping not seized, going to look at it tonight. Any thoughts on what to look for?
Makes perfect sense
We already have a two way vale installed by PO, but if memory serves me right, it is just sitting there under the berth flooring. to use for sucking in anti-freeze in winter (yard does this as part of winterizing service). I'll double check this weekend to make sure it isn't connected to another thru-hull that could be used in this manner. I guess worse case, I could extend the hose to the head thru-hull and do exactly like you did for backup reasons.....
We already have a two way vale installed by PO, but if memory serves me right, it is just sitting there under the berth flooring. to use for sucking in anti-freeze in winter (yard does this as part of winterizing service). I'll double check this weekend to make sure it isn't connected to another thru-hull that could be used in this manner. I guess worse case, I could extend the hose to the head thru-hull and do exactly like you did for backup reasons.....
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