After running aground, overheating problem

[stephentyler20]

On my Alpha Drive (previously posted on the subject but not w/r/t overheating - this is "new"). Basically, it was stuck in mud/debris to the point where my Dad managed to shred the prop trying to get out, instead of shutting down (ugh).

I went through everything last week, replaced the prop, changed all oil, inspected everything, etc. Boat runs fine, but overheats at LOW speeds and idle - raising the engine speed drops the temp. It doesn't overheat quickly, but after 5-10 minutes idle at the dock it crept up towards 200 so I shut it down.

What I've done already: ran it on the muffs, changed the water pump (full kit w/ impeller), changed the T-stat.

None of that fixed the issue. Where do I go from here? Specifically, I'm hoping to keep it in the water for any additional repairs - it's a huge pain in the neck for me to trailer it back out, and I've already done it twice in the past 2 weeks. If it really needs to come out of the water, chances are it will have to stay out for the season, and that would suck!

I'm not sure what else to do, but my understanding is that if I just pull the T-stat altogether it should run cool, so that may be an attractive/easy option. Would love some advice though!

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: After running aground, overheating problem

Sounds like you have some restriction of water flow.Did you take a garden hose and try to back flush any of your hoses? To bad its hard to put on trailer I would take the little water inlet thingys [Tech Term] of the outdrive And start digging around for clogs Maybe disconnest the water supply hose at the power steering cooler or if no power steering I guess where it connects at the thermostat, start the engine for a couple seconds NOT FOR LONG and see what kind of water flow u have. Was yor old impellar trashed when you changed it? mud and crap in impellar housing. Are you sure it was properly installed? Since you cant take it out of the water your options are somewhat limited. I would try to push the clog backwards before I would try to force it thru the water pump and rest of engine. These are just some thoughts, I havnt actually delt with this problem....for what its worth ...

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: After running aground, overheating problem

Sounds like some mud or other junk could be blocking the water passages either in the drive or a hose to the engine from the drive.

 

[stephentyler20]

Re: After running aground, overheating problem

I went through it yesterday and pulled/inspected all the hoses (except the intake line at the PS pump - I couldn't get it free there, it was really stuck and I didn't want to cut it). I also ran the engine for a couple seconds with the intake line disconnected from the thermostat housing, and it looked like good, clean flow coming in. I then used a hose to rinse/wash out the whole system, and it seemed like all the water that flushed out was pretty clear/clean, but who knows.

So, I didn't find much. However, when I put it all back together and ran it at the dock for a little while (and then moved it back to my slip), it ran right at or a little below 160 and never above, which is more than I can say for earlier in the day yesterday. I didn't have time to take it out for a spin, but I'll try today or this weekend. Something tells me it'll still warm back up, but we'll see. If that's the case, I may just pull the thermostat to get use of it for the rest of the season.

 

[robjen1019]

Re: After running aground, overheating problem

sand or mud. Have to clean it out.

 

[stephentyler20]

Re: After running aground, overheating problem

sand or mud. Have to clean it out.

Specifically... how?