Need help - 350 Mag hot? Exhaust?

[charlg]

Sorry, I didn't know what to put in the title. Last week when I used the boat last, the starboard engine overheated and the alarm came on within 10 minutes after we left the dock. A friend that was with me suggested that I put the engines in reverse in case I picked something up while going through the very shalloow area where we slip. I put in reverse, revved the throttles, and she went back to normal temp....problem solved. We cruised at all speeds for hours with no issues.

Today, when I started the starboard engine, she was squealing. I restarted it and it was fine. However, I noticed steam coming from the starboard side through hull exhaust all day even though the temp gauge was fine. She did rise to about 190 before we docked and I tried the reverse technique again and the temp went back to normal, but the steam is still present on that side only.

I opened the hatch and the block and hoses felt A LOT hotter that the port side.

We only have one more trip planned next week before we pull her out of the water. Is it safe to use this way? Is it an exhaust issue, or an overheating issue?

There is a good possibility that I may have picked something (sand) up since the river has been really shallow lately. How do you clean the water system out?

Where should I start?
Thanks.

 

[charlg]

Any ideas?

 

[Tri-sheild]

The 350 mag has a raw water pump mounted to the left side of the engine. Reversing the drive does not reverse the rotation of the pump. If you sucked some sand it may have damaged the impellar, hense the sqealing noise you now hear.

Glen

 

[JV II]

I agree, sounds like an impeller. When was the last time you changed it?

 

[charlg]

Yes. It was the impeller(s). I started another post about the repair...5 fins missing on the starboard motor, and 3 missing on the port. Amazing considering the boat was running good.

Since this is my first season with the boat, I don't know how old they were.

We took our last ride for the season over to Spectacle Island on Sunday, and she ran great.