Boat Problems

[JaimeCornett]

I have a 2007 Bayliner 175 with inboard mercruiser. I took it out Saturday, first time out this season and about a mile down the lake it shut down on me. I had noticed it was driving funny, like it was running sluggish. Ive only had the boat 2 years and it maybe has 20 hrs on it, and has never been run hard at all. When it shut down on me white smoke started rolling out the back underneath the motor cover and from behind the seats. Kind of smelled like burnt wires. I had to get towed back to the marina and now they are telling me its going to be 3 weeks before they can even look at it. Any suggestions as to what may be wrong and if possible to fix myself? I've been reading some of the forums and sounds like maybe it could be the water pump or some hoses. I'm new to all this so any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Boat Problems

More info please...engine size, and drive info. Serial numbers also work.

What were you doing, min wake, WOT, cruisin?

White smoke is generally steam, but smells like burn wires? Like burnt rubber? Can you Differentiate between the two for us?

All these questions would help diagnose the problem. Right now it's prime time boating time...so all the marinas will be busy.

My first guess would be about the cooling system, but burnt wire smell is thowing me off a bit.

How long since the impeller has been replaced?

 

[JaimeCornett]

Re: Boat Problems

It has a 3.0l Mercruiser engine. I was just cruising, maybe going 15mph at the most. The guy at the marina was the one that told me it smelled like burnt wires. The impeller has never been replaced, the boat was scheduled to be serviced next week but I just wanted to take it out for a spin which was an obvious mistake. I had a new stereo system installed in it which required me to get a second battery so that the amp would not drain the battery down. I was thinking maybe some wires could have gotten crossed and that caused it but I don't know. Please forgive my ignorance but I'm still pretty new to the boating business. Thanks

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Boat Problems

Is this a straight inboard or an inboard/outboard? Are you mechanically inclined? That is, if someone gives you suggestions on what to check or how to repair it, will you understand and be able to do it? For a start, find the engine manual for your engine on this site and download it. if your engine/drive setup is an I/O, download the manual for the drive as well. meanwhile, take a look at the engine itself. You may need a flashlight to help you. Do you see any burst, disconnected, or melted hoses? Do you see any burnt or melted wires? If you can start the engine, do so. See if you see any water pouring out of anywhere. See if you can find any source for steam or smoke. Just in case, keep a fire extinguisher handy when you start the engine. Give us some more information and maybe we can get you back on the water sooner rather than later. Hy

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Boat Problems

Have you ever run the boat out of the water without muffs supplying water to the engine? Do you know if it is jacket water cooled or raw water cooled?

I missed that it was an 07 when I first read the thread. Knowing that (and if you havent done what I asked above), your impeller is probably not the culprit, but still needs to be replaced. Along with the outdrive fluid and engine oil.

But I digress...

Since some electrical work has been done, and it smells like burnt wires, I guess it would be logical to conclude that the recent audio upgrade may be the issue.

That being said, I dont know how changing the wiring to the stereo and adding a battery could affect engine performance...Can you get into the engine compartment and see if you can find any burnt wires. If the smoke came from the engine compartment, you know that whatever caused it is back there. I guess an electrical fire could cause white smoke...

Get in there and look around, get some pictures if you find anything out of the norm and post back.

The whole situation is a bit vague to figure out from your posts.

I'll keep trying though! :redface: And I'm sure someone else will chime in as well.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Boat Problems

Disconnect everthing you upgraded and put it back the way it was before the upgrade of the audio system and battery and see what happens (use muffs) then do a complete check on your ignition system and electrical connections and wires repair what is needed and go from there remember this is not a car so you have to air with caution when changing things.

 

[JaimeCornett]

Re: Boat Problems

It's an inboard/outboard. I'm at work currently but wil post more later when I get home and can find out more info. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Boat Problems

How did you add the second battery. Be specific. Also snap some pics of the engine. Is the boat there with you or you left it at the marina? You did not notice anything after the smoke cleared (no punn intened)!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Boat Problems

I have a 2007 Bayliner 175 with inboard mercruiser. I took it out Saturday, first time out this season and about a mile down the lake it shut down on me. I had noticed it was driving funny, like it was running sluggish. Ive only had the boat 2 years and it maybe has 20 hrs on it, and has never been run hard at all. When it shut down on me white smoke started rolling out the back underneath the motor cover and from behind the seats. Kind of smelled like burnt wires. I had to get towed back to the marina and now they are telling me its going to be 3 weeks before they can even look at it. Any suggestions as to what may be wrong and if possible to fix myself? I've been reading some of the forums and sounds like maybe it could be the water pump or some hoses. I'm new to all this so any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Did you happen to look at your gauges when this happened?

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat Problems

If you hadn't run the engine without water, the raw water pump impeller will not be your problem. The Gen II impellers should last 3 years easily.
Adding a big amp and another battery and doing it wrong WILL cause problems.
When it happened, did you open the engine cover to look to see what was smoking?