Did I break my toy ?

[Plasma George]

BRAND new to boating....I just bought a 1988 Chaparral 178XL, w/ 3.0 liter with a Mercruiser Alpha 1 drive. Detailed it, put a sound system in it, RAN IT DRY IN MY DRIVEWAY to make sure I had voltage to start it on the river.(30 seconds).

We get on the river, and run 1 mile and smoke is pouring from the engine, and the temp gauge is pegged at 240.

I called the super nice previous owner to see if I missed something, he asked me if any weeds got caught in the intake, DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING, or if I ran it dry in the driveway, YES. He explained that 30 second of running burned the rubber impeller that brings water in??? (I think that's what he said).

A very nice guy towed us in, and when we got the boat out, on the starboard side of the drive tiny pieces of rubber were in the slots.

Any ideas what I did ?

It did start in my driveway again (figured I can't do anymore damage, just wanted to see if it runs, and it does...for 5 seconds). It spewed out black sandy stuff form the prop. Should I take it to a dealer, or is it a cheap enough repair ? Or an easy part to replace ?
THANKS

 

[Don S]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

RAN IT DRY IN MY DRIVEWAY to make sure I had voltage to start it on the river.(30 seconds).

Right there is where you probably destroyed the impeller in the raw water pump.

From there it never pumped water, and you probably burned up all the hoses in the exhaust pipe, along with the flappers.

You may have other issues but you have to get those issues cured first so you can start it and run it and see how other things are.

NEVER, EVER run it without water again.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

here's something to read..

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Bullet/87/87_14.pdf

 

[Plasma George]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

You may have other issues but you have to get those issues cured first so you can start it and run it and see how other things are.

This is what's killing me....did I destroy the engine ?

Even if I started it when we got home, and it ran and revved???...albeit 10 seconds, figuring I can't do anymore damage....and it's worthless using the muffs.

 

[Don S]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

did I destroy the engine ?

Have no idea, crystal ball is broken.

I can't listen to it or see it run to even venture a guess.
It might still run for 10 seconds but tells you nothing about the condition of the engine. A compression test, leakdown test, and pressure checking the cooling system is about the next thing to do.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

Those rubber pieces of the impeller are now all through the cooling system.
At the very least replace the impeller and remove the thermostat housing and back flush the system.
If you are VERY lucky that may fix it..
After pegging the temp gauge who knows what other damage it caused.
Like Don said its hard to tell without hearing it run and doing some testing.

 

[Plasma George]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

So how do I check it out, and fix it ?

I'm an engineer, and can figure my way through things, just new to boating. I see the bolts holding the unit at the prop, but if it could be "further damage", then part of me say to take it to the Marine Dealer, and let them fully test it out.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

Well,you could download the service manual if its listed in the Adults only thread and try it all yourself.
My best advice is take it to a shop and have it fixed right.
Yes it will cost more but you learned a lesson the hard way...We all have done stupid stuff at one time or another...

 

[Don S]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

I'm an engineer, and can figure my way through things,

Being able to drive a train ain't gonna help, and you can't "Figure" your way through this. You have to get in there and check everyting. Every hose, every thru the transom fitting, every cooler, every hose, manifold and riser to see if things are plugged up burned up or melted.
It's just a take it apart and look kind of job.

 

[rs2k]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

Mercruisers just can't handle running without water for any time at all. ALWAYS hook up water before turning over the engine. The black smoke was most likely coming from all the rubber parts in the exhaust system. It doesn't take long for those to get roasted without water.


Regarding the engine itself:

If the motor didn't seize than there's a good chance it's okay. Overheating can cause any of the following problems:
Blown head gasket,
Warped Head,
Cracked head,
Warped Block (unlikely but possible),
Cracked Block (unlikely but possible),
Seized pistons.

If you shut down quickly enough than there's a very good chance nothing broke at all. The most likely issue you'll face are head problems (Head gaskets, warped heads, cracked heads).

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

i think he is a mechanical engineer not train.

 

[Plasma George]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

i think he is a mechanical engineer not train.

right on....but I do love model railroading !

 

[rs2k]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

If you can work on a car than working on a boat is easier, IMHO. Get a manual and start reading before you touch anything if you're not sure what to do. If you can follow instructions and are mechanically inclined than you should be able to do most of the work yourself.

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

You won't truly know the condition of the engine until you start it up and let it run (on muffs this time).
You can't start the engine safely without fixing the raw water pump (impeller).

My advice is to either pick up a manual and attempt to fix the impeller yourself or take it to a reputable marine mechanic.

Once you get the first problem taken care of then you can address the engine.

 

[rs2k]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

You can replace the impeller and then try running the engine. I could be wrong, but I don't think you can hurt it anymore by running with toasted exhaust tubes unless the flapper is completely blocking the tube.

 

[madurodave]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

You can replace the impeller and then try running the engine. I could be wrong, but I don't think you can hurt it anymore by running with toasted exhaust tubes unless the flapper is completely blocking the tube.

Yes, I too am a mechanical engineer and am SHOCKED you didn't puff muffs on in the DRIVEWAY! Holy crap! If anyone can help you, it's these fine folks at iboats. With your mechanical apptitude...a cakewalk. Good luck brother.

 

[rs2k]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

I can imagine why he didn't run the engine without the muffs. It's not unreasonable to think it would be okay to run an engine for well under a minute without water. If there was no impeller it would be okay. Impellers on boats are not common knowledge unless you have owned a boat. I didn't know anything about impellers until after I got my first boat and nearly fried it myself. I was lucky enough to have an old evinrude with a much sturdier impeller than mercruiser has.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

It's just called lack of experience/knowledge........

I would replace the impeller/housing/base, backflush the water passages, remove the rubber exhaust hoses to allow for inspection of the hoses and exhaust flappers and replace where neccessary.....start it up (w/ muffs) and hope for the best.

Good luck!

 

[Plasma George]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

I can imagine why he didn't run the engine without the muffs. It's not unreasonable to think it would be okay to run an engine for well under a minute without water. If there was no impeller it would be okay. Impellers on boats are not common knowledge unless you have owned a boat. I didn't know anything about impellers until after I got my first boat and nearly fried it myself. I was lucky enough to have an old evinrude with a much sturdier impeller than mercruiser has.

This was my thinking.

I sell Generator systems for a living, and I'm around engines all day. The cooling system doesn't do anything until the engine gets up to operating temperature....and in this case, the temperature gauge didn't go above 100F, so both me and my brother were absolutely clueless to the damage we just did..

I do fell like a dumb-dumb. Totall walking into this rookie mistake. East Coast Marine is a reputable local dealer, I'm going to drop it there today, and call them Monday morning.

I plan to do winterizing, oil changes, spark plugs, and maybe more as I learn more over time....but being so new (obviously), I'll pay for them to make sure all systems are operating correctly before I go back on the water.

 

[Don S]

Re: Did I break my toy ?

Head up to the Adults Only sticky and do some reading. In item 16 you will find links to owners manuals. A 2000 manual is VERY close to the same thing you have as far as basic information. Have a look at all the links, you will be glad you did.