Overheats at high RPM's

[300 weekender]

The temp is fine on both engines while just starting out or even 1800 RPM. Then at WOT the port engine runs hot almost instantly. Mechanic is telling me he has to pull motor and it is a hose that builds up with salt? Is he right? What should this cost me? He diagnosed it over the phone, says he knows exactly what it is.......

 

[CliffA]

i would be leery of any mechanic that makes this kind of diagnosis over the phone and immediately jumps to 'pulling the engine'.....there are MANY causes of overheating that can be explored before resorting to pulling the engine....

maybe search this recent thread for some ideas....

http://clubsearay.com/showthread.php/71954-engine-wouldn-t-start-now-overheating

cliff

 

[Lazy Daze]

He might just be giving you a worst case scenario... As in "I can't really diagnose this over the phone, but worst case it could mean pulling the engine". I dunno - can't answer that one. But if all you told him was what you're telling us, there's no way to diagnose this over the phone or over the internet.

However, he could be right if you have sterndrives - your sig doesn't mention. But it could, just as easily, be something else as Cliff is mentioning. More homework will need to be done - including checking for water flow at the t-stat housing, amongst other things.

 

[300 weekender]

I/O Bravo I drives

 

[Lazy Daze]

OK, so there is a spot where the intake water comes in through the transom that "can" get so blocked up with salt that it actually squeezes the intake hose down and cuts off the water supply. But there's still so many other things that this is still all conjecture.

IF it does turn out to be that, there is a better fix - there's a block-off kit available and then you install a thru-hull water pickup. Basically, delete the way the water is currently coming in and instead bring it in through the hull.

 

[texxmark]

I just went through a similar issue and it was indeed the hose coming through the transom. Not sure what kind of boat it is, but I did mine without pulling the engine. Since it's a PITA to install the plastic bushing/retainer I went a different route. Check out the IM654 kit http://www.amarket.com/BRAVOitis.htm The guys at Aftermarket Marine were helpful and said you can do it without pulling the gimbal bellhousing but I'm not sure how. I pulled the drive and bellhousing...all and all it was about a 4 hour job. While you're there do your bellows if it's time, if not be sure to order a new retainer for the bellows/bellhousing connection. I'll admit my issue was self inflicted. I kinked the new hose when trying to get that dang insert seated when I did the bellows at the end of last season. This setup was much easier to install and you really cant mess it up.

 

[Bt Doctur]

 

[Lazy Daze]

Good picture, Doc. I've never thought to take a picture of one.

 

[Bt Doctur]

ever see the one from the Alpha with the water pump base gasket reversed.

or the excessive vibration problem

 

[Lazy Daze]

ever see the one from the Alpha with the water pump base gasket reversed.

"I'm getting an overheat problem, but I don't know what the problem is. It can't be the impeller because I just installed a new one and I even watched a "how to" on You Tube"

or the excessive vibration problem

I've wrapped my share of lobster trap ropes over the years, but never to that extent! Heck, we almost wrapped one yesterday (we're in Maine, right now) - my son was driving, but I threw it into neutral quick enough and it only caught on the lower unit. I am trying to teach him to always pass the buoy on the backside, but he apparently missed that important point. I always carry a serrated knife on board, just in case I can't unwind it (I will re-tie the rope). I think I only ever had to cut one or two, though.