I smoked my new Chaparral today, Not really, EDIT

[Plasma George]

Yo fine guys helped me pick this boat....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

 

[ezez]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

The previous owner is correct you most likely ruined the impeller running it dry. (Don't run your motor dry!) Than you put it in the river without the impeller functioning to cool the engine, therefore you overheated the engine and very well could have done engine damage. The impeller is essentially a water pump to bring cool water into the system to cool your engine.

 

[cribber]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Hopefully the smoke coming out of your boat smelled like burnt rubber and an impeller replacement is way cheaper than an engine swap. Invest in a set of muffs to run your boat in the driveway and never ever forget to turn the water on before firing it up.

http://www.iboats.com/Seasense_Univ...50571474--**********.808364542--view_id.56096

Hopefully your over temp sensor kicked in or you got it shut it down before you did any real damage. If there is no engine damage get the oil changed too before you go out on the water again since high heat reduces viscosity. Also you'll need to have the cooling system checked and flushed to remove any debris from the shredded impeller.

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Congratulations, you just made your first rookie mistake. Don't be too upset plenty of rookies make the same or similar mistakes. It only takes literally five seconds of running without water to toast an impeller.

The impeller is the actual pump part of your water pump. It is a serviceable part that should be completely replaced every season or two anyway. Basically your impeller sits in a plastic housing which probably got melted and toasted as well and the water inlet tube fits into a round opening at the top of the housing. This whole unit together slides on to the driveshaft in the lower unit. The minute that motor turns the impeller spins, sends water up the inlet tube and into the cooling passages of the motor. Some boats have a separate sea **** port on the bottom of the hull that sucks cooling water into the engine and the lower unit has a waterpump that strictly cools the unit itself. Yours probably only has the one pump in the lower unit.

 

[ScottinAZ]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Agreed, the rubber chunks are most likely what is left of the impeller. Run a compression check on the motor, change the oil, and hopefully there is no signs of a blown head gasket, or other overheat related failures in the engine. If not, consider it a lesson, and DONT DO THAT AGAIN!!!!!

 

[Plasma George]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

I guess the plan is to take it to a Marine Dealer, let him replace the impeller, change the oil, and hope nothing major was damaged.

I feel bad for the engine....you feel convinced the engine is in great shape, being cared for it's whole life, and I just put it to hell and back in a few minutes.

Is this a minor part I can replace ?

 

[ScottinAZ]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

if you are mildly mechanically inclined, and have access to the manuals, it is an easy job to do. I did my first on my outboard, and it took about an hour to do. From what I understand the lower on the outdrive is similar in construction to my OB, so it should be about the same

 

[seven up]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

We try to do as much as we can around here ourselves.

And asking for help doing any task is commonplace.

You got to supply the elbow grease and anti-itch creame on your own.

Best of luck, though.

 

[Floatsum]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Replace the impeller, back it into the water and see what you got.
Post results.
You maybe good.
If it runs,, good.
If not so well,, at least you've something to go on for deciding.
I'd start with some close by outings first before blasting off on a 4 hr. run.

PS;
YouTube has step by step vidios on this stuff (and more).

 

[marine4003]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Not sure if this is the manual...lube up the new impeller with dish soap prior to installing..it'll make it easier to install, make sure the fins are bent back in the correct position..and when running the boat with outdrive muff's..NEVER go above idle. Good Luck.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Before you bother putting a new impeller in, you'll need to flush out the pieces of the old one. They may clog your oil cooler.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

whoops--good luck with the impeller change hope the engine is fine we all try to learn from ours and others mistakes hope the newbies are looking

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

I'm sure that old iron duke engine will be fine, your exhaust connector is probably cooked tho.

 

[can-amsledder]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

You asked if this is something you could fix yourself. I don?t think you should! With how hot you got the motor there may be other damage that an untrained eye will not be able to spot. If you were just doing a simple impeller change I?d say go for it but I think there is going to be more to it with your boat.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

If you don't know what an impeller is, where it's located, what it does, and how to replace it, you are well advised to do one of two things: 1) Invest in a service manual for your specific engine and outdrive and study it carefully from cover to cover, or 2) let a shop make the repair.

 

[calvinman]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

This brings to mind an idea for a "sticky" thread. "Mistakes most commonly make by newbies" I have been boating for three years and did not know this, I have run my boat for a few seconds with no muffs and seems like I got away lucky.

I am sure there are numerous other such things that the seasoned boaters here on i-boats could relate to those of us that have not learned the lessons of what not to do.

Any way I hope it turns out good for ya.

Calvinman

 

[Thad]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Sorry to hear about your misfortune.

I have run my boat for a few seconds with no muffs and seems like I got away lucky. Calvinman

You HAVE gotten away lucky, thus far! Luck, just like a worn out, over heated, cracked rubber impellor, runs out sooner than later.

Plasma, you have learned a very important lesson here. I hope that you did little more than cause yourself a little headache. As far as voltage to start, that is why thaere is an ampmeter in the dash. If it does not have one, or is inoperable, get one. A booster pack is also a very good item to keep on your boat. Not only for you, but for the other guy who left something running to long and wants you to run jumper cables over to him.

 

[v2plus25]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Speaking of booster packs, I found this odd instruction repeated several times in my Volvo Penta 5.0 manual:

2. Do not use jumper cables and a booster battery to start engine.

At first glance I thought they advised against using jumper cables OR a booster. But I guess they're saying not to use jumper cables AND a booster pack at the same time... right?

Any recommendations on decent but fairly inexpensive booster batteries for a 220 hp I/O?

 

[captharv]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

The reason of advising against jumper cables is they cause a spark when being connected. Ka- Boom!

I also advise against the poster changing the impellor himself. There are many little tricks involved, like lining up the water tube, reinstalling the lower unit without boogering up the seal on the drives shaft, etc.

When the shop replqaces the impellor, the screen over the water intake comes off with 2 screws. Thats how you remove the impellor parts. The technician should know to check the rubber coupler on the inside exhaust system for being burned.
I had an iron mike engine; they are very rugged.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Re: I smoked my new Chaparral today

Alpha 1 has a plastic housing. I would replace the whole pump, not just the impeller. The exhaust flappers are most likely toast also.
If you decide to fix it yourself you will need the manual, alignment tool and basic automotive tools.
You should post this in the I/O section, there are some very knowledgeable people there that don?t usually post in this section. They can show you how to back flush the system and help you troubleshoot.
Good luck.