Mercrusier 5.0L MPI Alpha Overheat Issue

[ceeg52]

I'm sure this will be a story of the week. I'm actually embarrassed to write about the events that took place yesterday while winterizing my boat this year. My boat is a 2004 Sea Ray Sundeck 220 SD and I've been winterizing it for years without an issue. However, this year was a disaster. My mind was definitely elsewhere that day and the chatty guy at the marina did help either. Anyway.....

1st.... During the winterizing process the block was drained using the single port drain system and muffs were connected to flush the salt water from the engine. Unfortunately the engine ran for approximately 1 minute (no longer) with the Single port drain system (blue valve) and the blue plug in the thermostat housing not installed. Water began to exit the bottom drain and out through the transoms drain plug. The engine did not overheat but did reach and engine temperature of approximately 180 degrees. Engine was shut down.

Next issue. After closing all the drains, a second attempt was made to flush the engine using the muffs. Apparently the muffs shifted off part of the intakes on the stern drive and the engine temperature rose while I was checking the muffs from the swim platform and the alarm went off. The engine was immediately shut down.

After recruiting a second pair of eyes I re-secured the muffs and flushed the salt water from the engine without incident. The engine ran for approximately 10 minutes and all gauges were reading normal.

I understand that running the overheating the engine even for short periods of time can cause damage but how concerned should I be????

Without a doubt I'm going to have the impeller in my stern drive changed, but is there any other things I should have my mechanic check for to make sure the engine & stern drive were not damaged so I can feel comfortable when I put the boat back in the water next season.

Thanks for your anticipated for everyone's help and advice. I fully expect some smart comments which I deserve, so be gentle I feel bad enough!!!!

Ceeg

 

[wrvond]

I don't see a problem. Replacing the impeller is prudent and should cover your bases. Relax!

 

[ceeg52]

Thank you wrvond

 

[Lazy Daze]

Agree - no worries on the engine side. There's a double redundancy with the gauges and the separate alarm (along with SC starting to shut things down if need be). And those things will happen before you get to the "oh crap" temperature. Definitely do impeller for good measure - can't hurt to do that, anyways. Don't worry - you're not alone in your experience!

FYI, Merc makes a bigger and badder set of muffs that secures with a locking pin through the intake grate on the drive. It can NOT slip off. It's more expensive than it should be, but the alternative is often MUCH more pricey. Guess which one is in my personal tool box... :smt001

 

[ceeg52]

Thank you. I appreciate the information.

 

[emckissack@hotmail.com]

Coming from someone that had the same thing happen to me. Have your mechanic take a look at the through hull grommet by the engine drive where the forward and reverse cable go,through. Mine started having problems going into reverse and was told that the cable had water intrusion as a result of an overheated engine. Can't remember exactly what it is called but was told it is common on overheated engines because it is so close to the drive.

 

[PMC]

If the exhust went dry, you should have the mechanic check the flappers in the Y pipe. That part is rubber, an can loose it's spring wit un cooled exhaust temperatures. Without water that is very likely to fail.

 

[SloBurn]

I always secure my muffs with Gorilla tape to the inlets on my out drive, helps with the high amount of leakage from said muffs, and keeps them in place until I peel off the tape.