Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

[FreeBeeTony]

After disassembling the water pump in my pre-Alpha I noticed the gasket seemed burned on the bottom side of the plate inbetween the housing and the base. Upon further inspection it appeared there had been exhaust gases in the "watertube side" of the housing. I removed the base and it looked fine underneath. I thought maybe the gases were entering between the base and the lower unit housing but it didn't look like it. I mentioned in another post that the water pocket housing seemed a little distorted. Is this the only other place the gases could enter? I am hoping I stumbled upon a problem and will further improve my cooling.<br /><br /><br />Another problem........when I removed the water pump base I was shocked to see how much growth there was in the water intake under the base! How can this be prevented next year? Anti fouling paint? There appeared to be barnacles in there.........

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

^bump

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

^bump

 

[tommays]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

free<br />i will give it a shot but there are others who know more than me<br /><br />its normal to have marine life anywere there is water in the drive <br /><br />in places were there are zebra mussels its a much worse problem because they grow so fast<br /><br />your going to have to scrape everything off and it gets tricky because if the merc paint is damaged the drive will corrode much faster so it has to be refinishied in merc paint<br /><br />i dont no if antifoul paint would work up there because you would have to take the drive apart every season<br /><br />hopefully someone else who has delt with this can add more<br /><br />tommays<br /><br />i dont keep my boat in the water for this reason its a lot of work to keep a drive running in salt water

 

[Bondo]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

I can't really help either Tony, I trailer mine too.....<br />I work on several "Dock Boats" from up here on the river,+ haven't seen or heard about any Zebra Mussel problems......<br /><br />I can see where that could be a Serious Problem...<br />With your Mod.1 drive I wouldn't worry about Whose paint you use..... weren't no Special Epoxy paints back then.........<br />I'd try the Bottom Paint..... I don't know which Kind, but there's gone to be 1 of them......<br /><br />Do you still think the slip is better than trailering ??????<br />I remember this is your 1st season.....

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

The slip is DEFINITELY better than trailering......<br /><br />Just get in the truck and drive to the docks....and get in the boat and go. Much better than trailering.<br /><br />What about the exhaust gases in the waterpump housing? Think it's just the water pocket housing?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

^bump

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

Tony, I also boat in salt water and get plenty of barnacles in the water intake passages. I also need to clean the holes in the intake grates of my Alpha I drive, regularly to keep things cool. I usually get a season out of the water intake passages without a cleaning, until I pull the boat for the winter. It helps that the water gets cool in the fall. It slows down the growth and the motor doesn't need as much cool water to run cool. <br /><br />I think you need to paint the intake passages with antifoul paint. Also make sure the intake gratings are well painted, amd clean them with an awl or screwdriver every time the motor starts to run warmer than normal.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

^bump

 

[tommays]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

tony<br /><br />scrape clean refinish with a 2 step merc kit to stop any saltwater reaction with the metal and then refinish with and antifoul recomended for aluminum so you wont creat any galivanic problems repeat each season <br /><br />welcome to keeping and outdrive running in saltwater<br /><br />tommays

 

[muc]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

The water pocket housing has pressurized water in it so I don’t thing there would be a problem with exhaust gases getting in that way. But when they warp they can allow some of the cooling water to leak out. Exhaust gases could enter thru your bad gasket between the plate and the base. One way to check for exhaust in the cooling water is to install a clear hose between the power steering cooler and thermostat housing and watch for bubbles as you run your boat thru its paces in the water. Hope this helps.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Exhaust gases in waterpump / Growth in water intake

Thanks guys.......I will clean the water intake and paint accodingly with anti-fouling paint after I prime it. I like keeping the boat in a slip......but it makes maintainence that much more difficult!<br /><br />I already removed the water pocket cover and plan on replacing it along with the entire water pump (housing and base).<br /><br />It's not a bad little project to keep me busy for a while........better that doing projects around the house!