93 SkiRay MerCruiser Tournament 350 - water intake hose question

steve_93_skiray

steve_93_skiray

Member
Aug 6, 2019
40
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Boat Info
1993 Ski Ray Spitfire 185
Engines
Mercruiser 350 Tournament
Hi,

In 1996 my parents bought a 93 SkiRay Spitfire 185 (the blue one) with the MerCruiser Tournament 350 engine, and it's been awesome for many years until recent.

I'm not sure what it's called, but on the passenger side of the engine, low down, there's a hose that (I think) is what takes lake water in to cool something (maybe the engine?) and it's leaking.

There's some metal piece in the middle of 2 thick hoses (if that helps identify it), but whenever the engine is running, there's water dripping out of it, and it's cold water (the lake is very cold).

Does anyone know what this part is called so I can find it to fix it?


Thank-you,
Steve
 
Which outdrive do you have?
Are you sure it’s on the passenger (port) side?

Some pictures would be helpful too.
 
Steve,

Great boat and perfect wake for slalom skiing - if anyone under 40 still does so.

I believe it’s your transmission cooler. Should be fairly accessible being an inboard.
 
+1 great boat. What you are describing is the transmission cooler. If it is leaking it could be as simple as one of the hoses being loose - check the clamps. Or, with the age of that boat the cooler could have a leak internally. Check your transmission fluid, make sure it is topped off and is not milky - a sign the cooler is leaking water into the transmission fluid. Worst case replacing the transmission cooler is not a big or terribly expensive job - they work a lot like a radiator in a car and as they age can develop leaks. But do get to the bottom of the leak, ultimately it could damage the transmission which is not cheap or easy to fix.
 
Thanks for the replies. My dad said there's a metal part in the middle of the hoses where it's leaking from (and it has some type of brass valve that i can turn with a wrench). Not sure what that would be.

We did put new hoses and clamps on it years ago, but it's now leaking again. I guess we'll need to buy new hoses and clamps.

The transmission fluid appears full and normal color, we don't have overheating issues, so that's good.

Is there a part # for this? My dad seemed to do a "Home Depot" fix with duct tape and clamps before and that's probably the cause of the leak again. I'd like to go to a marina shop and ask them for the specific part #, just to ensure a proper fit.

I cant get a pic right now as it's at the cabin, I'll be there again in 2 weeks :(

1 additional question: would it be a good idea to put something like Seafoam or Gumout fuel system cleaner in the tank once in a while? I recently changed the fuel filter as it was 100% blocked and the engine wouldn't start ;)


Thank-you!
 
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If it's the transmission cooler it would look something like this: https://www.mrcool.us/807479t-mercruiser-transmission-gear-cooler.html. The big hoses on either end run freshwater from the lake through it which cools the transmission fluid. There should also be two smaller hoses connected on the side with brass fittings - these hoses bring the fluid from the transmission through the cooler and back. The brass "valve" is probably a drain so you can remove the water from it during the winter so it does not freeze (although most people just remove one of the hoses and drain it that way). If the brass valve is leaking, might just remove it clean up the threads, apply some anti seize to the threads and tighten it back up. The leak could also be from freeze damage - is it possible it was not drained over the winter and froze? Just something to check - hopefully it's the drain plug or the hoses leaking.

Regarding your other questions:
Yes, SeaFoam or other fuel system cleaner is not a bad idea. If you use ethanol fuel you should be treating it with Stabil or something similar.
It's a good idea to replace the fuel filter each year, it should be a spin on that looks like an oil filter - same time you change the oil and other annual maintenance stuff.

That boat and engine package is a solid boat and simple engine setup, similar to the old Correct Crafts like I used to have. My Correct Craft had over 2000hrs on and was still running great when I sold it for MORE than we paid for it new (no kidding). These things will just last forever if you take reasonable care of them.
 
Okay yeah, it looks something like that I think, it's mostly covered with hoses as I recall my dad saying something metal on it broke. He does drain it before each winter using that brass valve.

I'll just bring up some new hoses and clamps and take it all apart, see what I can fix.

We put fuel stabilizer in the gas over the winter. We just use the regular 87 octane. I'll throw a can of SeaFoam in next next time I add some gas, wouldn't hurt I guess.

I wish I had the manual or guides for the boat, etc...

Thanks for the replies, I hope it fixes the leak! :)
 
okay, well it's definitely the transmission cooler leaking, but now there's no water being pumped into it from the lake so it's overheating after 5 minutes of idling (maxing out the temp guage).

there's a loud screech when starting the boat too, sounds like one of the spinning things on the front. It seems to be the water pump to me, since no water is being pumped into the engine to cool it.

anyone know how to find the part # so I can order a new one?


Thanks!
 
That’s the raw water pump, it has a rubber impeller that wears out. Relatively easy fix. Do what scoflaw says to find the part #.
 
ah darn, I left the cabin yesterday. Is the engine # on the actual engine or on the boat somewhere?

Here is the engine squeal, it normally goes away once it's idling for a while.

 
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It's on an aluminum tag attached to the block just above the starter. You may want to disassemble first, you may need more than just the impeller. If your fuel filter was 100% clogged you probably have a tank load of crap.
 
Probably take forever, you could get a cheap 12 volt one at an auto parts store
 
Isn't the fuel tank in the back of those - behind the rear seat? It might be easy enough to just pull the tank out and deal with it that way.
 
hm, when i remove the engine cover and rear floor, i can reach under the back and touch the fuel tank, not sure how i'd get it out of there
 
Circulating pump on the engine behind the top pulley. How are you feeding water to the engine ? When was the last time this boat was used ?
 
scoflaw said:
Circulating pump on the engine behind the top pulley. How are you feeding water to the engine ? When was the last time this boat was used ?
Click to expand...
So there’s this impeller and another one that cools the engine?

We used it 4 times this summer. Every time it squealed loud like in the video.

It’s supposed to suck lake water in and cool the engine. My dad is at the cabin now, he took the cold water impeller out and said it was fine. He replaced it before many years ago due to the fins wearing off. He said it is probably the water pump. I thought the impeller part was the water pump?
 
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