Help Again…. Sad face

Aaronpav2001

Aaronpav2001

Member
Mar 5, 2017
141
Lake Norman
Boat Info
2002 320 Sundancer "Jela-Sea"
Engines
Merc 350 MPI V-drives
Yesterday the boat over heated and alarm sounded. Drove back to port on one engine today came out and started and realized there is no water coming out of port side engine. Just had impellers replaced a couple of months ago. Any thoughts suggestions? Just praying don’t have to pull out of water again…
 
Can you get your head back there and see if the serpentine belt is still on?
Maybe a pulley broke and threw the belt?
 
Seacock still closed? If it was you may have just burned up the new impeller
 
I agree with everyone, start at the source, the seacock. Check to see if it's clogged, check to see if the strainer is clogged. Follow the hose from there. Check for clogs, a busted hose, clamp that came loose, serpentine belt, etc. The boat should not have to come out of the water.
 
Although the impeller is new they can be defective or not installed properly. Do not ask me how I know this. Good luck, JC
 
Good reminder as well to always check the exhaust water flow at start up and under power to get used to what it should look like for your setup. When boating I'm constantly checking this while under power and looking at the gauges.
 
When the old impeller was removed was it missing fins? If so, did the service department chase down the missing fins? These can get caught up in the water passages and block waterflow.
 
I checked the strainer. Good to go. Seems to be a clog as no water came out and I didn’t have the valve closed. Looks like a clog somewhere or something clogged in the intake. Will let you know how I all make out.
Just wish there was a bit more room in engine compartment
 
Aaronpav2001 said:
I checked the strainer. Good to go. Seems to be a clog as no water came out and I didn’t have the valve closed. Looks like a clog somewhere or something clogged in the intake. Will let you know how I all make out.
Just wish there was a bit more room in engine compartment
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Looks like you have a 320DA?. Engine room access was one of the reasons I never liked that model. Get yourself a piece of foam mattress topper three to four inches thick, and lay it on top of the engine while you lay on top of the engine. It will save you lots of cuts and bruises and scars.
 
Are you positive your through hull valve is open on that engine? If you opened the sea strainer and water didn't come gushing out (and the valve is open) then either the intake (under the boat) or the hose to the sea strainer is blocked. I suggest disconnecting the sea strainer intake hose and run a semi rigid but flexible hangar or plastic plumbing de-clogger down it to clear whatever could be blocking flow. Then attach a shop vac to blow through it......look for bubbles coming up from the exhaust tube. If you've confirmed that is clear and there are bubbles then your problem is up line...serpentine belt/water pump/impeller. Either way there is no need to haul out.
 
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Thanks for all of the help. My mechanic is thinking some time of blockage and is getting out there today. Hopefully an easy fix and I didn’t burn out the impeller.

this is probably very silly question but the 320 is so tight down there and very tough to see much. Can someone tell me where seacock is exactly or have an image or detailed description. Like always Thanks so much.
 
Would I have burned up the impeller if I was running up on plane for a few minutes with no water coming out before it over heated . Yes I know there is only one way to be sure but thoughts are appreciate. Me asking questions is how I learn :)
 
I can't tell you where it is, but I encourage you to meet with someone who knows to have them go through the engine compartment with you. You need to know where all your seacocks are, how to clean the strainers, how to turn them off, etc.

Another test you or your mechanic can do is disconnect the raw water hose from the seacock. Fill a bucket with raw water, dip the hose in the bucket, turn the engine over and see if water comes out. If you're not sure put a hose into the bucket with running water while you're doing this test.
 
Aaronpav2001 said:
Would I have burned up the impeller if I was running up on plane for a few minutes with no water coming out before it over heated . Yes I know there is only one way to be sure but thoughts are appreciate. Me asking questions is how I learn :)
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Yep, no water on-plane even for a few minutes will damage an impeller. They are very dependent on water flow. Even a few minutes at idle without water can cause damage. That's why it's best-practice during an impeller change to coat the new impeller with a rubber-safe lubricant, such as dish soap.
 
How did you check the strainer and not know where the seacock is? They are usually next to each other AND you would have had to turn the seacock off to open the strainer? So are you sure you checked the strainer?
 
douglee25 said:
How did you check the strainer and not know where the seacock is? They are usually next to each other AND you would have had to turn the seacock off to open the strainer? So are you sure you checked the strainer?
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I was wondering the same.

Please please please make sure you know where all of your raw water seacocks are and how to turn them off.
 
Aaronpav2001 said:
Would I have burned up the impeller if I was running up on plane for a few minutes with no water coming out before it over heated . Yes I know there is only one way to be sure but thoughts are appreciate. Me asking questions is how I learn :)
Click to expand...
Yes burned up.... I totally agree you need to learn your engine room. In the meantime start at your sea strainer and follow the hose back down to the (usually yellow plastic covered) valve handle which should be in line (not perpendicular) to the hose when it is open, thus allowing raw water to flow up into the system. Each engine, including your generator (and air conditioner pump) has it's own valve.
 
There was a valve directly under the strainer with a yellow handle. I left it open. No water came out when I checked the strainer. Maybe that is sea cock?

And yes I agree I definitely need to go through engine compartment with someone.
 
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