Water Draining questions

[eutecticpt]

Does an Alpha Outdrive serial #0L717832 have a seawater pickup pump or only the water circulating pump?

Temps in NC get down to mid to low teens and the boat is stored outside and covered, and I am having trouble freeing the intake hose on the power steering cooler. Do I need to drain the power steering cooler on a 4.3 liter mercruiser serial #0L624589?

I can't seem to locate a fuel cooler-is it possible that this engine is not equipped with a fuel cooler?

Thanks for responding

 

[Don S]

Re: Water Draining questions

That's an Alpha I Gen II outdrive, and yes ALL alpha drives have the raw water pumps in the outdrive.
The "Circulating Pump" is the pump mounted on the front of the engine and bolted to the block.
Unless it's a 2002 or 2003 or newer EFI engine, it doesn't have a fuel cooler.
Do you have a manual, or you just trying to wing it?

 

[eutecticpt]

Re: Water Draining questions

I bought a manual for the engine from Merc but can't afford one for the outdrive at this time. I can see where the inlet hose comes into the PS cooler. The inlet hose is clamped to a fitting on the out drive which is very difficult to reach. Is that where I need to drain the raw water pump? It is a 1998 carburated and so it doesn't have a fuel cooler.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Water Draining questions

you don't need to drain the pump. you need to pull the hose off from inside the boat, from the inner transom plate to the thermostat housing. dump it down in the bilge and drain the water out, then with a funnel, pour some antifreeze down that. Don't forget your block and manifolds.

 

[Don S]

Re: Water Draining questions

I bought a manual for the engine from Merc but can't afford one for the outdrive at this time.

Download manual #14 for your drive.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571

 

[eutecticpt]

Re: Water Draining questions

Thanks for the link to the manuals. Whoa--this is one complex piece of machinery:eek. From what I saw, the impeller in the gear housing pumps the raw water thru the transom and into the PS cooler?? Do I need to worry about water freezing in the gear housing and the PS Cooler?

 

[180shabah]

Re: Water Draining questions

You MUST seperate the hose from the PS cooler to drain it - just let it dump into the bilge. The outdrive, if left in the full down position is self draining.

 

[Don S]

Re: Water Draining questions

Whoa--this is one complex piece of machinery:eek.

No S*** **** Tracy
Boats may be considered a toy. But they are BIG BOY toys, and require a few $$$ of preventive maintenance or a lots of repair $$$$$$$ ......
Your choice.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Water Draining questions

alot of people seem to forget this. But way back in the day... before fiberglass... boating was a RICH mans hobby. Not for your average joe the plumber. The only reason buying a boat has become cheaper, is because of efficient fiberglass molding (or molding them in mexico)..... but the cost of maintenence and repairs and ownership after the initial purchase..... hasn't changed 1 bit.