mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

[forplayboat]

I am a new boat owner and bought a 1988 bow rider with a 3.o liter I/O engine. i have had overheat problems from the get go. The boat was in storage for over a year so i replaced the impellor, circ pump, t-stat and hoses. While on the water the boat overheated and blew the plastic water inlet tube coming through the transom into the boat that connects the intake hose to the t-stat housing. It appears to be held in by 2 screws and an oval shaped plate. A mechanic told me that the manifold and elbow are probably shot because they are about 6 years old (I know the old owner so he told me when they were replaced and the boat is operated exclusively in salt water) I have purchased both and i am ready to install them but the water inlet tube is definately cracked and needs to be replaced. How hard is this and do I have to do major disassembly to replace this part? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jim

 

[BMDODGE]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

First welcome to boats and this board...<br />if you have to change the water inlet tube then the outdrive + bell housing has to come off.while it's off you could check out the bellows + gimbal bearing - if previous owner didn't have them changed. i have them same year set-up - very easy to work on. hope you have a manual cause it will help... Bruce

 

[forplayboat]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

Thanks for the tip, I appreciate it. I will indeed replace bellows while the rest of the stuff is off of the boat. No way around taking the outdrive and bell housing off?

 

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

If it's an Alpha drive, the water tube is bolted inside the boat. All that's there is a tube, a bushing, an oval plate and two screws. The tube can be changed inside the boat with nothing else to take apart. I'd be worried as to why it broke, as there may be a lot of back pressure that broke it. It sounds like the risers are clogged, somewhere there's pressure biulding up.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

I just replaced the bellows and water hose on my dad's alpha one, (with a four cyliner motor). I wouldn't exactly call it an easy job. I also don't see how you could change the plastic tube from inside the boat. Yes, it is bolted from the inside, and held in with a rubber grommet, but it is removed from the outside. After removing the screws from the inside, you can push on it from the outside in order to remove the rubber grommet, than pull it out from the outside. It's a bear to get at the clamps and get the hose back up in there!

 

[forplayboat]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

Hmmmmm. I sure would like to replace this thing without taking off the outdrive and bell housing if at all possible. I cant say I know if it can be done yet but thanks for the posts. It seems like there are some very knowledgable people on this board and I appreciate the help.<br /><br />Jim

 

[elpaso]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

You can change the fitting with out removing outdrive. We also<br />always change the water hose - they get old, stiff and a small kink<br />will cause over heat at high rpm. The hose is $10.<br /><br />Takes 2 men. Inside boat remove plate held by two bolts.<br />Work grommet out with screw diver and long needle nose pliers. <br />A little WD 40 helps.<br />Note - location and position of upper hose clamp on water hose,<br />this is important - so as screw on clamp will not rub on drive shaft bellows after its installed. <br />Cut water hose about ½ way between transom and outdrive. <br /> <br />While inside man pushes, with long skinny screwdriver - Outside<br />man wiggles and pulls- hose and barb will come right out. <br /><br />Install new barb- hose clamp has to be exact location as previous.<br />As outside man pushes hose and barb up to hole in transom - inside <br />man lines up barb with screwdriver, - as soon as barb starts into hole - get hold of it with needle nose - wiggle push - take your time - 2 or 3 tries - it will go. Install grommet and plate.<br /><br />Hose - raise outdrive about ½ way - Remove exhaust hose at outdrive to make room. Note exact position of clamp on<br />outdrive hose barb - remove clamp - split water hose end with a utility knife and pry hose off. Clean barb with sand paper - real clean .<br />Grease barb and inside of hose - place clamp on hose end - slide<br />hose on barb - tighten clamp - this clamp is the hard part.<br /><br />Sand exhaust flange and exhaust hose - real clean - smear bellows<br />adhesive on flange - as one man pushes hose on and holds in place -<br />2nd man installs clamp.<br /><br />I have done this job many times - takes 45 minutes. Water hose comes 2 sizes - 5/8 and ¾. Be patient, it works.<br /><br /><br />Five minutes of thinking - saves hours and dollars. <br /> <br /><br /> <br />.

 

[forplayboat]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

Thank you all for the help. I think I have the confidence to tackle this job. Also, I bought the replacement tube already, online and it is metal and the old one is a whitish colored plastic, do you think this a superseded part or could I have gotten the wrong part. Any thoughts?<br />Thanks again guys.<br />Jim

 

[Fishermark]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

Actually, the older ones are metal and the newer ones are plastic. Supposedly the plastic flows better, but I suspect either works equally well.

 

[elpaso]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

Metal hose barb is ok - if it's stainless or brass -you are in saltwater.<br /><br />This job is not that tough - remember - hose clamp<br />position is critical.

 

[qystan]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

Elpaso<br /><br />Read your procedure previously and followed it. It works great, managed to do it alone, mastered high climbs.<br /><br />Was easier for me as I had the outdrive off and also took out the bell housing.<br /><br />Without your tip, would have tried to stuff the hose onto the barb and likely have dumped the boat into the sea by now.<br /><br />Thanks for the great tip.

 

[forplayboat]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

Thanks everyone!! I hope to be on the water again next weekend. This board is great, I have already told my other boating friends about it.

 

[claytormatt]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem

Hi Guys,

sorry to reply to an older thread, but I am stuck!

I have the plate unbolted, grommet out and barb is loose. I cannot seem to get the thing out. The barb is not straight and it is not pushing, pulling out, Any suggestions ?

Can Iget to this hose with the drive off or do i also have to take off the bell housing and gimbal etc etc.


Thanks,

Matt

 

[tommays]

Re: mercruiser 3.0 water inlet tube problem


claytormatt


You need to start a NEW topic with your problem and INFO with what you have so you can recieve good advise

Tommays