Water Temp/Impellor/Thermostat problems

[CraigL]

On a use boat that I recently acquired, I noticed the water temperature gauge was not working properly. (It would start out at about 100 degrees and never go above 110 degrees). I could have sworn that this gauge worked properly last fall when I test-drove the boat. (Perhaps the marina removed the thermostat when they winterized the engine). After running the boat all last weekend, when I was done, I noticed that the engine was relatively cool to the touch.<br /><br />Based on the information on these posts in past forums, I purchased a new thermostat and gasket. This weekend when I plan to install the thermostat, I first started the engine to confirm once again that the Temp gage was not working. All of a sudden the water temp gauge was working. I had done nothing to the boat. The temperate climbed to 140, then 150 then 160…I was waiting to see if the thermostat would kick in… temp kept climbing to 170, 180… I felt the engine..ouch.. extremely hot. I shut the engine down at 200 degrees.<br /><br />(Well at least I know the temp sender and gauge is working). However looks like another problem. I took off what I believe is the intake water hose to the thermostat. (The middle 1” hose that goes to the transom bracket). While there was some water in the hose, upon starting the engine no water was being pumped out of the hose. I checked the usual. (Outdrive to make sure nothing clogging the intake—not much I could really verify as the boat is in the water at the dock). <br /><br />Must be the impellor. Unfortunately, the marina says this cannot be changed with the boat in the water. They will hall boat out ($45) and said parts will be approx $100 and approx 1 hr labor. This does sound about right? Seems really bizarre, that last week the boat ran fine (Cool) all weekend, and now this weekend, the second I start it up, the impellor is damaged??<br /><br />Also, the marina said that they think they can drive the boat the approximate 400 yards to the haul out location. Is this safe with no water going to the engine? How long can you run like this? Is it OK as long as you shut engine down once it reached the 200-degree mark? Towing the boat from my slip to the haul out location would be an additional $45. <br /><br /><br />Also, am I wrong in concluding that once this lack of water to the engine is corrected, that I will then go back to my temperature gauge not registering more than the 110 degrees, as I saw originally? I would imagine I still have a thermostat issue on top of the water pump impellor issue.<br /><br />Thanks for any feed back<br /><br />1989 Bayliner Ciera<br />5.8L OMC engine<br /><br />CraigL

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Water Temp/Impellor/Thermostat problems

The cool running engine sounds like the thermo was removed.The climbing temp. sounds exactly like an impeller.An impeller usually goes bad a little at a time.It probably was going bad last year and the temp was rising and the owner of the boat just pulled the thermostat for a quick fix to get the temp back down.Now the impeller has gotten worse and is pulling no water at all .The price to pull and replace the impeller sounds about righ being it is high season.The haul sounds cheap,the impeller kit sounds a bit high and the labor sounds right.Driving the boat 400 feet should be all right.You can put a garden hose in the intake hose to make sure there is some water in the block and manifolds.You can do this when the motor is cold.Make sure the oil level is not low incase it heats up while going the 400 ft.I would get a buddy the day before and drive it the 400 ft myself.You can get the boat out of the slip as fast as you can and when you have it going straight shut the motor and coast a ways.Have your buddy on the bow as you coast.Start the motor again as needed.Before you get too involved,reach down to the outdrive and make sure there is nothing wrapped around the drive intake vents like a bait bag or a piece of plastic or something.Post back as to how you make out.Charlie

 

[CraigL]

Re: Water Temp/Impellor/Thermostat problems

Thanks for the response Crazy Charlie.<br /><br />However, the distance to run with no water into the engine is about 400 YARDS. As they will not lift out until they are to work on it. They (the Marina) will be driving the boat from my slip to the haul out place. (I live 2 hrs from the Lake). Am I wrong to leave it to them, to trust them not to overheat the engine?<br /><br />Also, everyone always says carry spare impellors on board. What is the point of this if you cannot change them while the boat is on the water?<br /><br />It still seems unusall to me that last weekend, engine ran cool all weekend and was cool to the touch at the end of the weekend. And then this weekend, as soon as starting up the engine, I have an overheat problem. Can believe impellors go from perfect running to destroyed for NO reason.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Water Temp/Impellor/Thermostat problems

400 yards is a long distance w/o water.The $45 for the tow may be worth piece of mind and is covered if you have boat us or any other insurance with towing coverage.Certain impellers are mounted in pumps under the motor which can be changed w/o hauling.If you are feeling creative you can try this..... Open the petcock on the block,undo the bilge pump outlet hose on the discharge end and put that end in the intake hose of the motor.Put some fresh water in the bilge,enough to circulate through the motor with still having plenty in the bilge.When you start the motor ,turn on the bilge pump and the open petcock will recirculate the water to the bilgepump again.This will get the water you need for a 400 yard trip.Charlie