running hot

PowerAddict

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
418
I ran my boat for awhile and it started running pretty hot. What things can cause that on a boat?

I know the impeller is good. Could the water not be turned on high enough on the muffs?
 

DHPMARINE

Captain
Joined
Dec 16, 2003
Messages
3,688
Re: running hot

Well you could turn the faucet on more and see if it helps.

I don't know how you are sure the impeller is good,though.EVERY time I look at one,I throw it away and install a new one.Too much labor involved for a $23 part.

DHP
 

PowerAddict

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
418
Re: running hot

i had to get a different outdrive, so when I had it out i checked the impeller to make sure it was new, and he was right, it looked fresh.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: running hot

Ayuh,........

With an Over Heat,......
The Impeller,+/ or the Waterpump Housing is usually the culprit........
If Not,.......
Then it's on to the T-Stat, or the Riser Outlets for restrictions, or any of the Plumbing that connects it all.......
 

alaska_av8r

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
184
Re: running hot

Hey Power I may be wrong but I think they recommend replacing the impellers if the tips hold the curl.....in other words looking won't do you any good....you need to take it out and look at it and see if the tips stay curled or if they straighten out some.......

correct me if I'm wrong here folks........
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: running hot

Hey Power I may be wrong but I think they recommend replacing the impellers if the tips hold the curl.....in other words looking won't do you any good....you need to take it out and look at it and see if the tips stay curled or if they straighten out some.......

correct me if I'm wrong here folks........
Nope, you are correct....
Once it develops a hard 'set' it is time for replacement....;)
 

Windykid

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Apr 17, 2007
Messages
1,177
Re: running hot

Also what RPM are you running on the muffs?
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: running hot


It should never overheat on the muffs at any RPM as long as the hose feeding it is not collapsing....;)
 

PowerAddict

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
418
Re: running hot

Nope, you are correct....
Once it develops a hard 'set' it is time for replacement....;)

thats pretty much exactly how I inspected it. took it out. you could tell it hadn't been ran. rubber was plyable, but did not stay curled. no cracks or anything.

It started at a fast idle, but carbs should do that, and then went down to about 600-700ish.
 

PowerAddict

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
418
Re: running hot

Ayuh,........

With an Over Heat,......
The Impeller,+/ or the Waterpump Housing is usually the culprit........
If Not,.......
Then it's on to the T-Stat, or the Riser Outlets for restrictions, or any of the Plumbing that connects it all.......


what could be wrong with the impeller housing??

The engine's waterpump is the same as and automotive right? If it were bad, I'd know it?

I'm thinking its a possible thermostat.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: running hot

what could be wrong with the impeller housing??

They get Scored,+ no longer Pump right..........
Usually the top or bottom plates,.......

The engine's waterpump is the same as and automotive right?

Not Exactly,......... But it's Doubtful it's the cause of your Issue............
 

45Auto

Commander
Joined
May 31, 2002
Messages
2,842
Re: running hot

I think the water pump and impellor the above poster's are referring to is in the foot of your Alpha outdrive. Not too many automotive engines that use a rubber impellor ............ It's usually advised to replace the impellor every couple of years.
 

PowerAddict

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
418
Re: running hot

They get Scored,+ no longer Pump right..........
Usually the top or bottom plates,.......



Not Exactly,......... But it's Doubtful it's the cause of your Issue............


Hmm, I'm thinking I recall that little metal plate being a little scored. Its the one thats removable right?

Do you have any idea why that affects pump operation so much?
 

oh-u812?

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 29, 2006
Messages
76
Re: running hot

Any little defect in that assembly seems to drastically affect the volume of water that can be moved. I had an impellor that had the smallest little chip out of just one fin and my temp ran high a low rpm. I think it has to do with the pumps ability to create a vortex to force the water upward through the drive.
 

getinmerry

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 17, 2007
Messages
211
Re: running hot

A number of years ago while on vacation, my father burned out the impeller on my boat (he ran it for about 5 minutes at idle on the trailer to warm it up while I was in the bathroom). Anyway, the marina had one available (off brand...can't remember the name) so I bought it and sat in the parking lot for about 3 hours replacing it.

I dropped her in the water and shoved off. The boat would start to overheat whenever the rpms went over 3000, but would cool right down as soon as I got off the throttle.

Puzzled, that evening I pulled the boat back out and tore it down again to check my work. I'd changed the impeller plenty of times before (I change it every year) and I know what I'm doing. Everything I did was perfect.

I put it all back together and launched the next day. Exact same problem.

At this point I started thinking about the impeller itself. It seemed exactly the same, but I was guessing it wasn't.

I went to another marina and picked up a merc impeller that day. Pulled the old one out. Put them side-by-side, on top of each other, etc. Everything was exactly the same...except....the first one was made form a VERY soft rubber compound and offered no resistance when squished.

I put the merc impeller in, no further problems.

Just a tidbit related to this question I thought might be helpful to someone down the shore. Be careful what you buy!

Chuck
 

tic

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 27, 2007
Messages
140
Re: running hot

I read somewhere that there was a bad lot of merc impellers and all were prone to early demise???.... In any case, I can replace an impeller in about an hour and that's working slow and deliberately... OMC outdrive.... Not bragging, just a pretty easy job IMHO....
 
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