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Engine and water stream question.. bad?

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calden
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USA
194 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/29/2012 : 07:16:58

Hey all:

Question about my mid-1980's Evinrude Yachtwin. It was the standard issue engine found on many of our Catalina 25s.

As I was docking yesterday after a short sail, I noticed something disturbing. The engine was idling, running out the gas, and the motor mount was in the very lowest position, which I do when I sail solo, to make sure if I need to go up front the engine will stay low enough to gulp enough water to keep the pee stream going. We all know what it sounds like when it comes up out of the water.

After I tied up the bow lines and came back to the cockpit I noticed that although the engine was not ejecting any water stream. Yikes! I jumped in the cockpit, thinking that would push the engine in the water more, but that didn't help. I turned up the throttle, which DID make the water stream appear again. This water was quite hot, but cooled down after about 10 seconds of stream. I ran it until the water was cool to the touch and then turned the engine off.

At first I thought the engine was not low enough, but that did not seem to be the case. I am wondering if somehow my engine is not pumping water enough at the low throttle position. Has anyone seen this happend? Possibly a beginning-to-fail impeller?

And the next question - how can I tell if my engine has been damaged by this? For all I know this might have been happening often while docking. I often check for the water stream, but not always, and have heard no nasty noise, and usually start up with 1-3 pulls. Runs well after some work a couple of years ago.

Thanks for any advice....

Carlos

S/V Mazama
1983 FK SR
#3682

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
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Response Posted - 04/29/2012 : 07:29:57

How long has it been since the impeller was replaced? For most motors, it is suggested that this is an annual item.

Not saying you must do this every year, I'm sure some folks have gone years between replacements, but even my brand new SailPro says impeller replacement is an annual maintenance item.

Edited by - on

GaryB
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Response Posted - 04/29/2012 : 08:19:55

Carlos -- A couple of times before I knew better I went forward with the motor idling. When I came back the motor didn't have a stream. I found I had to rev up the motor a little to get a stream back. I think what happened was the cooling system got something similar to a vapor lock in the cooling system. Giving the motor additional speed helped push the air out of the system.

I'd recommend shutting off the motor before going forward so you don't accidentally pull the water pickup out of the water.

A year or two later I was having more issues with not getting a stream when the motor was idling. I finally discovered the thermostat was sticking and removed it. It pumps great now. The impeller still had water around it but it could only move enough past the thermostat to make steam not keep the motor cool. So far it still runs fine.

Can't guarantee yours wasn't damaged but these motors are pretty tough.

All -- Many times I hear it suggested we replace the impellers in our motors once every year or two. The manufacturers recommendations are based on motors that are used a great deal more than most of us use ours. I'd bet "MOST" of us do good to use our motors 15 hours a year. I'd bet outboards used on "most" powerboats are run well over 75 hours a year (at least in warmer climates) and a lot of the time at relatively high RPM. This equates to a lot more wear and tear in a shorter time span.

If an impeller had to be replaced every 15 hours none of us would be buying outboards.

Another factor is the water you operate in. If you operate out in open water or clean lake water your water pump is going to last longer than a water pump than is operated in shallow water with sand or other heavy contaminates in it. In the latter case I would definitely change it every year. I could see replacing the impeller every 4 or 5 years just due to age if operated in clean water.

I've been powerboating for well over 45 years and I can honestly say that my family only replaced an impeller once or twice that I can remember and we always put hundreds of hours on our outboards doing everything from pulling a sportsman shrimp net at slow speed to water skiing all day at full throttle. Maybe we were just lucky!

BTW... This fall I will have owned my boat and motor for 5 years. I have no idea when the impeller was last replaced although I think the previous owner replaced it the year before I bought the boat. As I mentioned it still has a strong stream. I've put no more than 15 hours on this motor since I've owned it. I plan on pulling the boat this summer during the hot part of the summer and will replace the impeller while it's out only because of it's age.

Now that I've stated all of the above I'm sure I'll toast my motor the next time I go out! Another reason to have BOAT US unlimited towing package.

I'm sure many will have something to say about the above. I'm just telling my life experiences as life has played out.

Edited by - GaryB on 04/29/2012 08:29:27

Sloop Smitten
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Response Posted - 04/29/2012 : 09:48:06

My guess would be the impeller has some broken vanes so it is pumping at a reduced rate. If the condition repeats itself I would look at replacing the impeller. If its been years since the last replacement it is probably time anyhow. That being said a change of impellers on our boats every five years or so is probably a good cycle rate. Too little use can be almost as great an issue as too much because the rubber vanes on the impeller can lose their flexibility if left unused for long periods of time. If the engine does not show any signs of running rough I would doubt you have experienced damage. Those old Evinrudes were pretty tough.

Edited by - on

calden
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194 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2012 : 18:15:18

Thanks for the comments.

I was up at the boat today and asked several other people, and they agreed it sounded like the impeller. So I have got the local marina guy to get to my boat and change it. He also said it sounded impeller-ish. Whew. I am glad that I give it a visual check at least once per usage.

Edited by - on

Jmurfy
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Response Posted - 04/29/2012 : 21:53:04

I've owned my boat 6 years and replaced the impeller once. Every year is not necessary.

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OLarryR
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Response Posted - 04/29/2012 : 22:49:21

Agree w/other posts. If you are in seawater, I would also check the water tubes. You could have sea crust buildup clogging the line. Rcmd change impeller and check the water tubes for passing water.
I doubt you affected the engine - It did not seize. You mix oil into the gas on the 2 stroke, so you are not going to recognize high consumption of oil. But you may notice it uses more gas. If you do not notice any real change in gas consumption, then it's probably fine as long as you resolve the water cooling issue.

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Prospector
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Response Posted - 04/30/2012 : 06:31:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by calden
 So I have got the local marina guy to get to my boat and change it. He also said it sounded impeller-ish. Whew. I am glad that I give it a visual check at least once per usage.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Before you pay to have it done, I would look at pulling the engine and doing it yourself. Not a difficult repair at all.

Of course I'm still pretty young and don't mind getting greasy if it saves me a buck.

I spent a couple hours yesterday playing with my 'new-to-me' fourstroke in a test tank. I have a couple things to unpuzzle on it, but I think that overall I'm pretty happy.

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calden
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Response Posted - 04/30/2012 : 08:06:06

I thought about doing it myself. I am pretty handy and generally like doing projects that involve tools, buying new parts, grease, something dropped in the water, and bloody knuckles. However I have a lot going on the next three weeks with visiting family and job stuff. I know dang well if I start doing this it will be at least half my day up at the lake, a 1.25 hour drive away. I also know if I did it once then it would no longer be a big deal!

Sometimes time is a lot more vauable than money. The marina is also going to look at it for some other maintenance stuff as well.

Also - the boat is in a cold freshwater lake that is fairly clean, and I always raise the motor, so I am not too concerned about encrusted minerals or growth.

Edited by - calden on 04/30/2012 08:08:26

redeye
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Response Posted - 04/30/2012 : 11:28:06

<< Those old Evinrudes were pretty tough. >>

Ya got that right.. I've always want to change out mine ( the impeller ) but I've never. Does anywhoo know if dropping the foot and disengaging the drive shaft have any trick to it?

I'll most probably end up removing the stat also.

I got so mad at Handa this weekend I changed out the rear upper control arms on my Handa Civic by myself.. So I'm on a "I can break it all by myself" streak.

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calden
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Response Posted - 05/07/2012 : 07:16:11

Yes. Now fixed. Indeed it was the impellor - a missing vane and a few crumbly bits, but not totally gone. Thanks for the suggestions.

Carlos

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Joe Diver
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Response Posted - 05/07/2012 : 07:30:03

Have a nice strong stream now?

(motor, of course)

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redeye
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Response Posted - 05/07/2012 : 08:38:18

Well... I guess he didn't have any problem dropping the foot.. although I read do it with the gear in forward only. I reckon I'll try to change out my impeller now.

Pretty good stream but debris was blocking the outflow and as it looked like a black chunk that could be impeller remains.

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