Water pump....will it cause damage

[boatallsummer]

Forgive me for lack of information until tomorrow. I searched on google but couldnt find anything. Also, forgive me for being boat ignorant. I dont know what the specific type of boat is as the seller doesnt know (weird if you ask me). All ad said was: 19' 1983 boat walkthrough windshield, mercruiser motor, and trailer. Needs water pump in foot of motor. Going to take a look at the mystery boat tomorrow. Not expecting a nice boat, but it is local so why not.


I am looking to buy a boat. I am going to look at a boat that says it has a Mercruiser motor that needs a water pump in foot of motor. The man said it went out when he was out on the water a month or two ago. Can any damage be done using the boat without a water pump or can this not be done at all? Just curious, as I dont want to buy a boat that has a ruined engine.


Is there a way to verify that an engine runs well when buying a boat? Also, specific things to look for when buying a boat. Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

If the impeller is already destroyed, then you can still start the boat and run it for about a half minute minute with out damaging anything. But to actually drive it? No. Doing so would cause major damage.
Buying a boat without being able to run it, even if only on a hose at least up to operation temp is risky at best.
Replacing the impeller is about a $200 job at a shop, and less than $100 if you do it yourself.
The fact that he isn't willing to do that to be able to say it's a "good running boat" while trying to sell it is suspect as far as I am concerned and should be concidered a red flag.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

I agree in that if he won't even do the most basic of maintenance (you ususally change an impeller every 2 seasons) then he couldn't be trusted to have maintained anything. The other concern not relative to mechanical condition is that this is an 83...that's 27 years old...any fiberglass boat that age is likely to have some rot in the structural members (they are wood remember) unless it was stored very carefully....and that rot is VERY expensive and difficult to repair...I'd pass on this one and save up till you can get something 3-4 years old with a lot of life left...and records of regular MAINTENANCE....

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

Walk away from it.Sounds like a bag of worms!

 

[Don S]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

I agree with everything said before me. The engine was probably overheating on the original owner, and he says (Unknowingly of course) that it needs an impeller, when in reallity, it may have plugged up manifolds and risers. EXPENSIVE to rreplace. Or even a stripped out engine coupler that requires an engine pull.
If you can't run the boat on the water, forget it.

 

[boatallsummer]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

Went and looked at the boat. It is a 1983 19' Renken not sure of the model. The man started it for a few seconds, and it ran fine. The impeller was just replaced. He was on the way back to dock when the water pump went out. He said he turned it off and on and coasted it back so it didnt overheat. He actually doesnt want to sell it, but needs the cash. He had it listed for 800, but will be buying it Friday for 700. The boat was in good condition besides needing a washing. The seats were a little sun faded with a few small cracks, and the upholstry is an awful color. Nothing big deal that can't be fixed. A family member is KY has brand new seats in a cabin cruiser that has no title. He offered us to come down, and take whatever we want off the cabin cruiser. The trailer was in good shape, had both titles with current tags so I'm taking the plunge. Wish me luck!!!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

I hope he did not start it without water running to it with muffs...if so the supposedly new impeller is toast.

You are taking a 700 dollar risk by not testing it in the water.
It can be running on half its cylinders and sound "ok" while not under load...
Plus the fact that you may have over heating problems.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

Well you asked for it so here it is..

LOTS OF LUCK!!!!!!!

 

[Seon]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

Sounds like you've made up your mind to buy the boat regardless. It's like rolling the dices in Vegas....you win some, you lose some...good luck

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

So when do we find out the motor in this thing is a 470?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

So when do we find out the motor in this thing is a 470?

.....I was thinking that too....

 

[boatallsummer]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

Well, geez now that you mention it....I hope not. No sale is final yet. I am still going to look at it one more time, and will doublcheck.

 

[macr6]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

What many aren't telling you but already know. This boat may cost you $700 dollars to get it home, but it may cost you thousands to get it running and to be able to enjoy it. However, it may only cost you $700. that's why they are saying you are gambling. Test on the water is the safer bet. If you can't test it on the water you can't know what you'll get. Walk away.

If you buy and take it out and it starts going south I wouldn't even try putting any money into it. It will just drain your wallet dry. (just look at all my old posts) I finally got smart and bought new

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

Well, geez now that you mention it....I hope not. No sale is final yet. I am still going to look at it one more time, and will doublcheck.

I just did a search for "1983 Renken Mercruiser" and found quite a few! All 2.5 & 3.0L engines. So (if you're lucky)maybe not. You'll know, if it has an aluminum head and a heat exchanger.

Is there a way to verify that an engine runs well when buying a boat? Also, specific things to look for when buying a boat.

YES.

Since it's now got a "good" impeller, tell the owner you want to go to the local lake and run the boat! Tell him you'll buy the gas!

Look for water in the engine oil and drive oil(you'll have to drain a little to look at it).

Determine that it will go into AND out of both FWD & REV easily (in the water......on the trailer won't tell you much except that the prop turns)

Look for overheating at both extended idle AND cruising speed.

Check for water in the oil AFTER running at extended cruising speed.

Look for water leaking from the block and/or manifold and ANY water that appears to be leaking inside (while the engine is running and OFF)

Make sure the drive will "trim" up and down while running.


Note: to effectively "check out the boat" , YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE LAKE!


That about cover it guys?



Cheers,


Rick

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

What many aren't telling you but already know. This boat may cost you $700 dollars to get it home, but it may cost you thousands to get it running and to be able to enjoy it. However, it may only cost you $700. that's why they are saying you are gambling. Test on the water is the safer bet. If you can't test it on the water you can't know what you'll get. Walk away.

If you buy and take it out and it starts going south I wouldn't even try putting any money into it. It will just drain your wallet dry. (just look at all my old posts) I finally got smart and bought new

I hope you mean bought a new engine, and not a new boat. The new boat will drain your wallet even faster than the old one!!

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

With all that said,
In 2002 I paid $800 for an '88 bayliner capri closed bow. I ran that bad boy for 5 years. Every day! Back and forth to work. Upholstry was shot. Carpet ruined, and no windshield.
In 2007 I put a new motor in it (broken crank and bad heads). Since then, I was paid to use it in the making of a movie (Pirhana 3D) where it was damaged and totaled out. They paid me $6,500 for it and let me keep it. It's a bit uglier, but still runs perfectly. Best $800 dollars I ever spent.

 

[almostblue]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

Forgive me for lack of information until tomorrow. I searched on google but couldnt find anything. Also, forgive me for being boat ignorant. I dont know what the specific type of boat is as the seller doesnt know (weird if you ask me). All ad said was: 19' 1983 boat walkthrough windshield, mercruiser motor, and trailer. Needs water pump in foot of motor. Going to take a look at the mystery boat tomorrow. Not expecting a nice boat, but it is local so why not.


I am looking to buy a boat. I am going to look at a boat that says it has a Mercruiser motor that needs a water pump in foot of motor. The man said it went out when he was out on the water a month or two ago. Can any damage be done using the boat without a water pump or can this not be done at all? Just curious, as I dont want to buy a boat that has a ruined engine.


Is there a way to verify that an engine runs well when buying a boat? Also, specific things to look for when buying a boat. Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this.

warning - don't listen to me - I know nothing - just chiming in with what has a 5% chance of being helpful.

Sounds like a money pit - but the trailer might be worth $200 or more to you, especially if aluminum or galvanized (instead of painted steel)

"Needs water pump in foot of motor" could be a closed system, as that is where the engine pump might be to drive "raw" water into the heat exchanger (with a thru-hull pickup instead of the impeller in the lower unit, or with a Bravo where the pickup is in the lower unit but only an engine pump) -

Just pick up a SELOC manual and it will confirm all that has been said above -the hundreds of things that can go wrong .
If it fails, you can always pickup up something like a near brand new Stingray 19' openbow for less than one month of pain and suffering with this one

 

[boatallsummer]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

So when do we find out the motor in this thing is a 470?

<in small voice> so guess what the engine is......a mercruiser 470 4 cylinder

bye bye boat <waves>


What is the problem with this engine....I read what I could find on google. Basically cooling and alternator issues?


At least this thread has taught me a lot!!!

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

There Are No Dumb Questions- Good For You Doing Some Research-
Buy A Good Running Boat.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Water pump....will it cause damage

Good plan! You dodged that bullet huh?

Do a search on this site for 470 or 3.7L etc...

You'll find a lot of reading on the subject!