4.3 omc/cobra is overheating???

[ski_atomic]

hello everyone, im pretty new in boating world and im loving it. however, i decided to buy a boat last year around this time and had the blast last year. had small problems that i really did not even know that are problems until i have seen this forum today. however, last year, sometimes it would die once i try getting out of neutral slowly (reverse or forward) and it would not idle correctly.however, once it reaches working temperature it would work just fine. any suggestions???? however, today i finally got to take it out, and crap... first of all boat was not winterized since i was told if i keep it in a heated garage (which i did) you should be ok if you start it once a month (which i did). it seems like a huge mistake??? anyways, i changed the plugs yesterday, checked oil started the boat and it worked well. today i took it out and five minutes later the smoke started coming out from the right side of the engine, i immediately turned back but the engine overheated, oil level kept dropping down, rpms were all over the place, and the boat would idle even when put in gear and then would start moving after being put back in neutral and then suddenly shifted to forward (full throttle). if you guys have any suggestions please HELP,SOS, i had a suggestion to look at the water pump and impeller since it wasnt flushing any water on a side as it usually does.<br />THanks

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 omc/cobra is overheating???

If you kept starting that engine once a month and didn't have water hooked to it, you burned up the impeller in the outdrive. The engine should NEVER be run without water going to the pump. <br />When it dies when shifting indicates a bad shift cable.<br />Sounds like you are due for some service manuals.<br />Not the aftermarket Clymer and Seloc stuff, but the actual OEM manuals. Learn the systems and how they work and what is requiered for normal maintenance.

 

[ski_atomic]

Re: 4.3 omc/cobra is overheating???

Thanks Don, i will take a look at it now and do you have any recommendation where to pick up the manual.<br />Thanks once again

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 4.3 omc/cobra is overheating???

Looking for an original OMC factory manual, one of the best places to check is eBay but you need to know the year as they changed each year, best to post the engine model number so we can tell you for sure what year you have. Look for a plate on the rocker cover or T-stat hosing for engine model should be 9 digits like 43xxxxRGD

 

[ski_atomic]

Re: 4.3 omc/cobra is overheating???

i checked out the impeller and it is pretty much shaved off, there are maybe 6 fins left on the impeller and they are all shaved in half. hopefully this will fix the problem. according to the matching of the parts' numbers i have 1989-1993 4.3 OMC V6, with cobra stern drive. now im hoping that this will fix the problem, but im afraid now if there might have been something worse going on since the smoke was coming from the right side of the engine compartment (not a lot of smoke..significantly less than the smoke from the cigarette) if this is any good comparison .<br />Now my plans are to order the owner's manual first, of course, pick up the water pump kit and replace it and do the full service (oil check, greasing and other stuff) and to have a tune-up done. now, i'd rather do it myself since i love playing around these things but do you guys have any suggestions on doing tuneups and servicing. any help will be greatly appreciated since it seems like im getting a feedback from pros.<br />THANKS GUYS SO MUCH

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 omc/cobra is overheating???

The exhaust hoses were probably causing the smoke. When you run without water out the exhaust, the hose get burned up inside and eventually burned through. Time to start replacing the burned up hoses before they blow out when you are under full load. Then you end up with a real mess.

 

[Purduebarry]

Re: 4.3 omc/cobra is overheating???

Call Ken Cook Documentation Service 414-466-6060 with the engine model number. The model number on the 4.3 should be on an ID plate on the thermostat housing, top of water pump front center of engine. For my boat they had the Service Manual for $101.73, the Owners Manual for $34.90 and the parts catalog for $29.95. I ordered the Owners Manual and it covers most of what I will be capable of doing, or want to try doing. This is the OEM manual (or as close as you can get, not a reprint, Clymers etc.

 

[ski_atomic]

Re: 4.3 omc/cobra is overheating???

Guys thanks all so much, i really appreciate your knowledge, i changed the water pump kit, and hoses and the engine is running solid.<br />Thanks once again