Blocked Water Inlet On Lower Drive

numbered01

Cadet
Joined
May 28, 2012
Messages
24
Hello all, I am here again to ask if a clogged water inlet on one side of the lower dive can cause my motor to overheat?

I have a Alpha 1 drive with the 4.3 liter engine. Is one side effecient enough to cool the motor?

I overheated my engine this past weekend and the temperature guage went to 220. It looks like I hit a tree stump becuase it looks like wood that is blocking the inlet. I did not notice at first and when I really got to take a good look at it is when I noticed it. Also one prop ear is bent, so I definetly hit something.

Please let me know what you guru's think. :confused:
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: Blocked Water Inlet On Lower Drive

well i'm no guru, but i'd think if your inlet is clogged, and you overheated. that'd be a real good place to start to work. cleaning it out. specially if ya weren't over heating prior to hitting the log. if the pump can't pick up water out of the lake proper. i'd sure think i'd lead to an overheat.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: Blocked Water Inlet On Lower Drive

Hello all, I am here again to ask if a clogged water inlet on one side of the lower dive can cause my motor to overheat?

Depends on a lot of other things. Given the right set of circumstances, yep, that'll do it..

numbered01 said:
I have a Alpha 1 drive with the 4.3 liter engine. Is one side sufficient enough to cool the motor?

Fantastic... but Alpha 1s run from 1986 to current... 4.3 litre engines have been used for even longer than that.... Can we have the serial number, or at least the year... (yes it's important in the context of your questions)

numbered01 said:
I overheated my engine this past weekend and the temperature gauge went to 220.

And the alarm didn't go off? Time to check the alarm's working properly.

numbered01 said:
It looks like I hit a tree stump because it looks like wood that is blocking the inlet. I did not notice at first and when I really got to take a good look at it is when I noticed it. Also one prop ear is bent, so I definitely hit something.

People have 'ears', wheat has 'ears'.... but propellers have 'blades'... If a chunk of wood has gone up into the water pump it could have destroyed the impeller... Time to pull the drive and do some investigating...

Chris......
 

numbered01

Cadet
Joined
May 28, 2012
Messages
24
Re: Blocked Water Inlet On Lower Drive

Drive number is 0B609489 and Transom number 0B672424. 1987 Sea Ray Sorrento 19. I need to know if Sea Ray installed alarms on their boats and if I have one it did not go off so its malfunctioning.<BR><BR>Does anyone know if Sea Ray put temp alarms in their boats?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Blocked Water Inlet On Lower Drive

In 87, the alarm was an option for Mercruiser engines, rather SeaRay used it or not I couldn't say. Look on the engine on the front of the intake manifold or thermostat housing and see if there is a temp switch. It would have a tan/blue striped wire going to it. There would also be an alarm buzzer under the dash with two wires to it. One purple, one tan/blue stripe.
 

numbered01

Cadet
Joined
May 28, 2012
Messages
24
Re: Blocked Water Inlet On Lower Drive

I will have to look at the thermostat housing to see if their is 2 sensors. If I do them the alarm isnt working or the sensor is out I would guess.
 

500dollar744ti

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 23, 2012
Messages
691
Re: Blocked Water Inlet On Lower Drive

If I have my ignition on for 7 seconds without starting motor, alarm will sound as a test.[/url]

is that what that is? i thought it was just the low oil pressure alarm sounding because the engine hasn't started yet. they wouldn't need to make a test sounder because it will sound with key on, engine off due to the lack of oil pressure.

either way, the overtemp alarm is a great thing and it has saved my butt a couple times. got some seaweed stuck in my water pickup and it got up to 160 and the alarm sounded. i was able to shut it off and go investigate, pulled the crap off the water pickup and kept on going.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,093
Re: Blocked Water Inlet On Lower Drive

Hello all, I am here again to ask if a clogged water inlet on one side of the lower dive can cause my motor to overheat?

I have a Alpha 1 drive with the 4.3 liter engine. Is one side effecient enough to cool the motor?

I overheated my engine this past weekend and the temperature guage went to 220. It looks like I hit a tree stump becuase it looks like wood that is blocking the inlet. I did not notice at first and when I really got to take a good look at it is when I noticed it. Also one prop ear is bent, so I definetly hit something.

Please let me know what you guru's think. :confused:

Ayuh,... for the record, this is a continuation of this thread,...

You really need to call yer insurance company, 'n a qualified Mechanic,...

Yer motor/ drive has Serious problems at this point...
 

scarpint

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
89
Re: Blocked Water Inlet On Lower Drive

I cannot say for sure if this activates for low oil pressure on my boat, but it did go off when I had an impeller failure and temp approaching 220.
 
Top