mud pumped today HELP!!!

[SFORBES]

While I was loading my 94 290 I suck a ton of mud in the lower/engine. I got it home asap and hooked the muffs and no water would pump. Tem got to 170 so I shut t down.

The ramp had not been cleaned and the mud was caked on the lower unit and my prop didnt look like a prop more like a mud pie. Thankfully no dmage to prop but now the sea pump won't pump water.

Questions
1. What do I do
2. Should I be concerned about any other damage
3. what hoses should I take off and back flush before I put on the new sea Pump
4. Any turn by turn directions on how to replace the pump. Merc 454


Thanks in advance

 

[Lazy Daze]

If it was me, I would start by rinsing everything off from the outside real well. Then, take the two large hoses off the backside of the raw water pump (impeller). See what you got. Hopefully, there is no mud up that high. Hopefully. If there is, just start tracing the pressure side (exit towards engine) hose and keep taking things off (and backflushing) as you go. Eventually you'll be up to the T-sat and with any luck it'll be clean up there.

If there was no mud at the raw water pump, backflush the water inlet hose and drive from the end of the hose that you removed from the pump. You may want to measure (I don't recall the inside diameter off hand... 1-1/2"?) the I.D. of the inlet hose and stop by your local home center to get some barb to pipe adapters to adapt down to a garden hose fitting. That way you can turn the hose on and walk away and cross your fingers that the water and pressure will do it's thing.

Regardless if you had mud at the T-stat, pull the block and manifold drain plugs - again, more hoping that only water comes out. At a bare minimum you're likely to have at least dirty/silty water in the engine. Replace plugs only if water comes out. If nothing at all comes out, you'll need something stiff, but flexible to try poking the hole open with (zip ties work well). If still nothing, remove the drain plug adapters all together as that will make the hole a bit bigger. If you've got no luck, you can start flushing through the t-stat housing.

Get on this right away! Don't let any mud harden up.

Now, all this being said, I would be surprised if it is as bad as I made it out to be. Not saying it won't, though, so be prepared.

Again, that's just how I would approach it. I'm sure there are other ways and hopefully some other guys will give you some more advice or fill-in any blanks that I may have left.

GOOD LUCK!

PS: A number of guys have posted directions on how to replace the pump. It's not always the most cooperative, but try using the search feature.

 

[SFORBES]

Thanks!

I am going to have to wait untill Monday afternoon before I can get to it. I cleaned everything of and ran water throught the mufs for about 30 min and then I started the motor. A little water was coming out but not much. I gt scared when the temp hit 170. Is it fair to ASS-U-ME that there is still enough water in the system that will keep the mud from drying?

I too am going to be the proud owne of a 98 6.5 chevy. Do you have any advice for this tow vehicle?

 

[Lazy Daze]

Is it fair to ASS-U-ME that there is still enough water in the system that will keep the mud from drying?

Yes... just don't include "ME" in that scenario! :lol:

Some flow is better than no flow. Do you have a hot water heater connected to your engine? That may need attention, as well.

PM me sometime and we'll talk trucks - we don't want to bore the boat Gods with truck talk...:smt001

 

[SFORBES]

sorry! I did not intended to call you one i just hate the word assume.

I pulled some hoses and not a whole lot of mud in it. the intake hose on the raw water pump was clean( OK) I then took the hose and started to wash some of the other hoses out and it looks like the mud was held to the pump and did not affect the rest of the motor. I will replace the pump since the mud has been washed from the intake to the pump.I need to still wash the exit side of the pump out but for the most part I feel like I ran a good amount of water through the system.

I had to order the pump so it will be late this week before I know if there is an other hidden problems.

Is there any info on here for starting genset,water heater and AC? I need all the info I can get.


Thanks you for your help and WISH ME LUCK!

 

[Lazy Daze]

No worries - I knew you didn't mean anything negative by it.

That's great news! A bet that's a big load off your mind - at least now you can relax a little.

Good luck!

 

[gerryb]

Not sure if this is feasible for you but I would also try running warm or hot water into the muffs instead of cold tap water. Warm water will breakdown the mud faster that may still be caked on in the cooling system before hitting the engine block.