Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

[numbered01]

Hello everyone, I am having a problem I seem cant figure out. I hope you all can help me. Yesterday my impeller went out while I was out on the lakes. I have a 1987 Sea Ray with a 4.3 Liter engine. Alpha One Drive. I first noticed it slower down at WOT and it started to smoke from the rear (white smoke). I DID NOT look at the temp guage like I should have.

I started to slow down and came to a no wake channel right after it started to smoke. I ran the motor at no wake speed's for 10 minutes through the channel that was crowded with other boats and did not stop and not again realizing I should have checked the temp. guage.

So I got out the channel and shut the boat off and called my mechanic and finally told me to check the guage, so I FINALLY did at it was buried.

After I had called for a tow with the motor off checked the oil and seemed to be fine, no water oil mix.

Now after I had it towed and left it at the Bar/Marina with no ramp to put it on the peer.

Now this gets interesting, The next morning when I was going to pick the boat up with my trailer I was told I had to drive my boat by the towing company to the nearest ramp that was a good 6 minutes away at WOT. Mind you that the impeller was out and the owner of the tow boat company/marina/bar told me I would be fine to run it over to the other ramp. So I started a cold engine and immediately gunned it tryinf to get over there. Immediately after starting it it wouldnt run right and couldnt get up to speed like it was bogging down.

After I got it there the temp guage was almost buried at 220. I loaded it on the trailer and cut the motor.

Did I fry the motor or warp the heads? Or Since there was no water running through the engine wouldnt make it run right?

I hope I can put the new impeller oin there and it will be golden but I think there is more to it.

Thanks.

 

[achris]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Oh, you have so toasted that engine and drive. Whoever told you it was ok to run the engine at WOT for 6 minutes is either a complete idiot, or owns shares in a mechanic business...

Here's what you have done by running that engine with no cooling water (as a MINIMUM!)
1. exhaust shutters completely burned off.
2. most of the rubber parts between exhaust elbows and prop completely burned up.
3. Water pump housing and water pocket cover (both plastic and in the exhaust path in the drive), complete melted
4. at the very least you have damaged the piston rings, possibly warped a head (or both) and/or blown the head gaskets.
5. possibly fried the seal in the engine circulating pump
6. maybe a burnt exhaust valve too....

Good luck with it all... I think you are going to need some seriously expensive repairs.

Chris.......

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Oh, you have so toasted that engine and drive. Whoever told you it was ok to run the engine at WOT for 6 minutes is either a complete idiot, or owns shares in a mechanic business...

I would say the guy that suggested that IS a complete idiot....

 

[havoc_squad]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

I would say the guy that suggested that IS a complete idiot....

I believe the best way to shake cold reality into individuals who show prolonged ignorance,disregard, or negligence is the numbers, the cost required to fix/replace the issue.

Ballpark replacement and repair costs probably $8,000, maybe $9,000.

Purchase/installation of new or remanufactured engine block, possibly manifolds, along with any gimble housing parts (exhaust shutters, bellows, etc.)

Rebuild of lower unit pump assembly, possibly the need for replacing the outdrive seals due to heat, etc.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Oh, you have so toasted that engine and drive. Whoever told you it was ok to run the engine at WOT for 6 minutes is either a complete idiot, or owns shares in a mechanic business...

I would say the guy that suggested that IS a complete idiot....

Ayuh,.... After that story,... I'm Surprised the motor started, at All, at the tow yard...

Muchless Hammered another 6 minutes at Wot....


Welcome Aboard numbered01,..... You really need a Good Mechanic at this point,....

'n learn to watch yer gauges,.... maybe have yer new Mechanic install alarms for ya...

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Hello everyone, I am having a problem I seem cant figure out. I hope you all can help me. Yesterday my impeller went out while I was out on the lakes. I have a 1987 Sea Ray with a 4.3 Liter engine. Alpha One Drive. I first noticed it slower down at WOT and it started to smoke from the rear (white smoke). I DID NOT look at the temp guage like I should have.

I started to slow down and came to a no wake channel right after it started to smoke. I ran the motor at no wake speed's for 10 minutes through the channel that was crowded with other boats and did not stop and not again realizing I should have checked the temp. guage.

So I got out the channel and shut the boat off and called my mechanic and finally told me to check the guage, so I FINALLY did at it was buried.

After I had called for a tow with the motor off checked the oil and seemed to be fine, no water oil mix.

Now after I had it towed and left it at the Bar/Marina with no ramp to put it on the peer.

Now this gets interesting, The next morning when I was going to pick the boat up with my trailer I was told I had to drive my boat by the towing company to the nearest ramp that was a good 6 minutes away at WOT. Mind you that the impeller was out and the owner of the tow boat company/marina/bar told me I would be fine to run it over to the other ramp. So I started a cold engine and immediately gunned it tryinf to get over there. Immediately after starting it it wouldnt run right and couldnt get up to speed like it was bogging down.

After I got it there the temp guage was almost buried at 220. I loaded it on the trailer and cut the motor.

Did I fry the motor or warp the heads? Or Since there was no water running through the engine wouldnt make it run right?

I hope I can put the new impeller oin there and it will be golden but I think there is more to it.

Thanks.

Thank you for sharing your story of toasting your engine. It may run with a new impeller, but it is pretty much a roll of the dice at this point as to the longevity of the engine.

'Golden' would not be the operative word.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Thank you for sharing your story of toasting your engine. It may run with a new impeller, but it is pretty much a roll of the dice at this point as to the longevity of the engine.

'Golden' would not be the operative word.

Ayuh,.... More likely,... Charred....

 

[thumpar]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

I wouldn't run a 4.3l at WOT for that long with proper cooling. All this over a $20 part. You (or your mechanic) have a lot of work to do.

 

[achris]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

I wouldn't run a 4.3l at WOT for that long with proper cooling.

Why not? I have a current 4.3MPI and had for 14 years a 4.3LX. I've run them at WOT for a lot longer than that, many times... No ill effects... Both engine's still running long and strong....

Chris.......

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Thank you for sharing your story of toasting your engine. It may run with a new impeller, but it is pretty much a roll of the dice at this point as to the longevity of the engine.

'Golden' would not be the operative word.

based on the synopsis that Achris gave, just replacing the impeller is not a roll of the dice...there are no dice! it's toast! I'm thinking he'll need a dremel tool to get all that melted plastic out of the innards. Not to mention, the high likelyhood that trying to remove the bolts for the melted waterpocket cover will itself be a roll of the dice. (I guess you were really referring to the engine, though.... and I suspect major issues there, too.... but will hope for the best!)

Numbered01....I am very sorry for your loss.... Do you per chance have insurance?:facepalm:

Please keep us posted on the post-mortem (including photos to help us and others learn).

The good news is (yes, it is good news): you survived this ordeal (as well as others in the boat). Keep the three folks in your thoughts tonight that suffered an engine explosion at the ramp to my local lake today. They got airlifted to the local burn unit. Alive but in great pain.

 

[numbered01]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Thanks for all the help guys! By the way I do have full coverage insurance on my boat that covers engine. I am so glad I got the insurance. I will keep posting what the ill effects are on the motor and out drive when I have it looked at.

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

I first noticed it slower down at WOT and it started to smoke from the rear (white smoke).

that's when the permanent damage occurred. any running of the engine after that is just nails in the coffin.

i watch gauges like a hawk, car, truck, van, boat, or tractor, you probably will now too.

if your insurance is going to cover the engine damages, then you are good.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Thanks for all the help guys! By the way I do have full coverage insurance on my boat that covers engine. I am so glad I got the insurance. I will keep posting what the ill effects are on the motor and out drive when I have it looked at.

Well,

Sorry about all the editorial comments.......You have been misinformed by more than one person.

AND, sorry you had to find out by damaging your engine.

NOW, you need to get yourself Informed! Have a look at the "adults only" sticky message at the top of this forum. You'll find all sorts of info there.


I do hope your "fix" is as inexpensive as possible!

Be sure to tell the insurance adjuster what the "professionals"told you to do if they ask how you destroyed your engine.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

ouch--glad you had some good insurance for sure.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Why not? I have a current 4.3MPI and had for 14 years a 4.3LX. I've run them at WOT for a lot longer than that, many times... No ill effects... Both engine's still running long and strong....

Chris.......

Just a personal thing I guess. I am on my 3rd van with a 4.3l and love them but would rather run them a tick (-100 to -200RPM) under WOT after more than a minute. I wasn't trying to say running a 4.3l at WOT would ruin it after 6 minutes but without cooling I wouldn't run them at all.

 

[achris]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

I wouldn't run a 4.3l at WOT for that long with proper cooling. All this over a $20 part. You (or your mechanic) have a lot of work to do.

Why not? I have a current 4.3MPI and had for 14 years a 4.3LX. I've run them at WOT for a lot longer than that, many times... No ill effects... Both engine's still running long and strong....

Chris.......

Just a personal thing I guess. I am on my 3rd van with a 4.3l and love them but would rather run them a tick (-100 to -200RPM) under WOT after more than a minute. I wasn't trying to say running a 4.3l at WOT would ruin it after 6 minutes but without cooling I wouldn't run them at all.

Completely agree about running the engine without cooling. I wouldn't even have put the key in the ignition.

I like running at WOT 'cause it's fun, but I only do it when I'm on my own, or with someone who knows how to hang on....

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

Completely agree about running the engine without cooling. I wouldn't even have put the key in the ignition.

I like running at WOT 'cause it's fun, but I only do it when I'm on my own, or with someone who knows how to hang on....

Everyone (except the "regulars" please note!) You CAN RUN at WOT and not hurt a thing.

It's not a somthing you do all the time. But once in a while, it won't hurt ANYTHING!

 

[numbered01]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

What do you mean you can run it for a short period at WOT and not hurt the engine only if it happened only once.
Im hopping it didnt damage the engine. I checked the dipstick today and did not find any water or metal pieces in the oil, so maybe thats a good sign.

What do you think?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

What do you mean you can run it for a short period at WOT and not hurt the engine only if it happened only once.

It should be: if you have a properly working engine you can run for a short period at WOT and not hurt the engine. Your ran it without water. That burns things up. It is not just for cooling the engine but the rubber exhaust parts too.

 

[achris]

Re: Over Ran Over Heated Engine ( Impeller Failure)

What do you mean you can run it for a short period at WOT and not hurt the engine only if it happened only once.
Im hopping it didnt damage the engine. I checked the dipstick today and did not find any water or metal pieces in the oil, so maybe thats a good sign.

What do you think?

Did you even read my first reply? :facepalm:

The fact that when you ran the engine it 'bog down' is a very bad sign.

Let me put this as simply as I can... You have done major damage to your engine and drive.
What you need to do now is start pulling things apart to find out just how much damage and the best way to repair/replace those damaged parts. The fact that you have no water or metal on the dipstick mean jack!

Chris.....