Testing engine out of water

[platon20]

I know this sounds crazy, but a guy at the marina who has been boating for 50 years says that before heading to the launch ramp he would start the engine for a second while out of water just to make sure it starts OK.

I thought that was crazy and he was going to burn his engine up. But I will ask you guys -- if you start up the engine just for a second or so and then immediately shut it off, are you causing permanent damage? Or does it damage it only if you run it for awhile?

 

[Rick Stephens]

Not gonna hurt the motor. However, any drive with a fresh water impeller will end up eating said water pump. The impeller is water lubricated. If it is dry it will burn immediately. A burned up impeller WILL wreck your engine when it overheats.

I almost always hook up a hose to my drive before making the hour drive to the lake. That is the safe and proper way to make sure you're ready to float.

 

[achris]

^^^^ This....

 

[JASinIL2006]

Not gonna hurt the motor. However, any drive with a fresh water impeller will end up eating said water pump. The impeller is water lubricated. If it is dry it will burn immediately. A burned up impeller WILL wreck your engine when it overheats.

I almost always hook up a hose to my drive before making the hour drive to the lake. That is the safe and proper way to make sure you're ready to float.

I always wondered if I was being a bit anal retentive in starting my boat and warming the engine before I drive to the river. I do it mostly as a courtesy, to make sure my boat will start, and start quickly, once I'm at the ramp. Nice to see that someone else does this regularly, too.

 

[Rick Stephens]

I always wondered if I was being a bit anal retentive in starting my boat and warming the engine before I drive to the river. I do it mostly as a courtesy, to make sure my boat will start, and start quickly, once I'm at the ramp. Nice to see that someone else does this regularly, too.

One of the funniest things I ever saw, and this was pre-smart phone, so no video - was someone trying to jump start their boat from a car parked halfway up onto the dock. It was funny stuff.

 

[achris]

'Funnier' (and way more stupid) is having watched someone flatten the boat battery on an engine that wouldn't start. Then proceed to their car, remove its battery and flatten that too...:facepalm:

Chris...

 

[nola mike]

'Funnier' (and way more stupid) is having watched someone flatten the boat battery on an engine that wouldn't start. Then proceed to their car, remove its battery and flatten that too...:facepalm:

Chris...

I think that was me