Me and hose clamps - not friends

[Hydraboss]

Stupid human trick #2:<br />Got the boat out on Monday for first run of the season (de-winterizing, etc..). Started first try, idled beautifully, waited for it to come up to temp, engaged drive for a slow ride for 3-4 minutes. Picked up my buddy who was parking the truck (total elapsed running time 8-10 minutes). Went for a short ride and noticed no speedo action. Shut everything off, leaned over the back of the boat and pushed the speedo pickup down, started wondering why the bilge pump was going like mad (and YES, the plug was screwed in!). Opened the engine cover but didn't see anything out of the ordinary...UNTIL I STARTED IT!!!<br /><br />Question: Which is faster - water entering boat through a 1"+ cooling exhaust(?) port on the block, or the 1/2" bilge port on the side of the boat?<br /><br />Answer: Not the bilge port.<br /><br />Real question:<br />It would appear that the gear clamp must not have been tight on the cooling exhaust(?) port on the front of the engine and blew the hose off the fitting. Engine wasn't too hot, so we put the hose back on, tightened the clamp, and headed for shore. Everything seemed ok, temp was good, no leaks, no strange sounds. So we headed back out and everything ran like a top. Is there any damage that might have been done without knowing it? Should I be checking anything at this point? Thanks in advance for your help.<br /><br />2002 Campion 545i, 2002 VP 4.3GL 190hp, Volvo SX single prop

 

[jeff13601]

Re: Me and hose clamps - not friends

If you didnt overheat the engine then you are ok. I think I would be checking the other hose clamps

 

[Don S]

Re: Me and hose clamps - not friends

Now you see why it's important to do a spring run up on the hose before launching the boat.<br />Lots of times people put the boat in the water and things such as happend to you show up. Or the steering is froze up solid, or a throttle or shift cable doesn't work, or the batteries are dead or, the engine won't start or ____________ (fill in the blank).<br />All of which means you put the boat back on the trailer and take it home to fix some of the problems.

 

[Hydraboss]

Re: Me and hose clamps - not friends

Thanks guys. Jeff, believe me, everything has now been triple checked (did it on the water). And Don, this trip was the spring "test-it-out" run. We only went about 100 yards from shore, and before we went out, we inspected for obvious problems while still at the dock. Didn't notice the loose clamp while the engine was warming up. All I can say is I'm relieved it was on the exhaust side, or I would have myself a 4.3 liter anchor.

 

[DJ]

Re: Me and hose clamps - not friends

If you want this to STOP happening, visit your local heavy truck supply house. You can get "constant torque" clamps that are designed for "slippery" Teflon hoses. If they'll hold those, they'll hold anything, especially your rubber hoses.<br /><br />They are NOT cheap, and most are stainless steel.

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: Me and hose clamps - not friends

always after service or summerizing have engine hood up during start up!on the lake or hose, good thing it was not a fuel leak! that would have been a different story AH!<br />p.s. check the bellows on that side you did not cool it so it might have melted them, the flapper it probally gone also.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Me and hose clamps - not friends

Stuff happens...important thing is what you learned from it and it seems it wasn't a costly mistake. What I want to know is....what was your Stupid human trick #1 ????

 

[Hydraboss]

Re: Me and hose clamps - not friends

Stupid human trick #1...<br />First time out with new boat, and backing down VERY steep and VERY bumpy boat ramp. The boat was jumping pretty good even with foot firmly on truck brake pedal. Smart Guy #1 is too inherently lazy to put transom straps back on. It goes like this:<br /><br />Smart Guy #1: Hey, why don't we take two dock lines, tie them from the cleats on the rear sides of the boat to the trailer...and then we'll take them off when we hit the water, without having to get wet?<br /><br />Smart Guy #2: D-uh, ok.<br /><br />(after getting boat trailer in water)<br /><br />Smart Guy #1: Did you undo your side?<br /><br />Smart Guy #2: D-uh, ya.<br /><br />Smart Guy #1: Good, so did I. Ok, undo the winch.<br /><br />Smart Guy #2: Ok, you're clear.<br /><br />(Smart Guy #1 checks the leg to make sure it's deep enough in the water,starts engine and proceeds to throttle back.)<br /><br />Smart Guy #1: Why the hell is this thing backing up at an angle?<br /><br />(Gives it a little more throttle)<br /><br />Smart Guy #1: Whoa! The dock line is still attached on the starboard side.<br /><br />(Smart Guy #1 kills engine just before prop swings around and faces shore)<br /><br />Smart Guy #1: I undid the port side, why didn't you undo yours?<br /><br />Smart Guy #2: No, I was doing port, but it was already undone. Just figured it fell off the cleat on the way down.<br /><br />Innocent Boat #1 narrowly averts damaging blow to lower leg. Smart Guy #1 is embarrased greatly. Smart Guy #2 is renamed Moron #1.