pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

[dcschif]

Bought a used boat that had been sitting for 3-4 years. The 502 motor had been re-built prior to being stored. Pre-owner stated that the motor and lower unit (TRS) was rebuilt after sucking a valve in 2000. I put in new batteries and had it started with the hose hooked up and it sounded fine. went to the lake to test it and it started for a couple minutes, got hot (200*) and I shut it down. Now it won't start at all, it turns over but makes a deap whump sound and that's all. Any help appreciated. thanx

 

[craze1cars]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

Gotta start with the basics. Check for spark, compression, and fuel. Report back with what you have/don't have and then someone here can probably better help you.<br /><br />With regards to getting hot, any boat that's been sitting for 3-4 years needs a new water impeller. You probably weren't pumping enough water to cool your motor. Replace it. Wouldn't be surprised if it just disintegrated. Then pray to the boat gods that you didn't do engine damage when you got hot.

 

[KaGee]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

First, welcome to Iboats.<br /><br />A boat that has been stored will have several issues to deal with depending upon what was done to prepare it for storage.<br /><br />Old or water contaminated fuel, clogged fuel filter and/or water seperator, clogged fuel vent, gummed up carburator to name some possibilities.<br /><br />The 200* is too hot, the drive impeller may need replaced. <br /><br />For the engine to fire you need proper spark (in time), fuel and compression. Since the engine started for you, compression is most likely not the problem. I would suspect fuel is your issue. However you should start with the basics and check the ignition too.<br /><br />If you are going to work on this yourself, a service manual is a must. Also it is a great help on this forum if you list your engine and drive specs.<br /><br />EDIT: Sorry for duplicate info... Craze posted while I was s-l-o-w-l-y typing.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

Check the Thermostat too.

 

[dcschif]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

the boat did have gas in it which I added Stabil and Heat to according th the gallons left, have not looked at the water fuel separator. It did run to begin with, got off the trailer and around the cove and back to the dock to load the family, there it began to smoke just a bit, I checked the guages and the motor had reached about 200* so I shut it down...it would not start again. The motor is a slightly beafed up 502 and I beleive a TRS drive unit. I have had it for 6 days now and thank you for your advise. I guess with the older type drive unit, none of the 3-4 merc places in Louisville want to mess with it. Motor was rebuilt in 99-2000.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

On the not starting again issue. If you didn't totally remove the gas tank, drain all gas, clean inside of tank with denatured alcohol or something, replace fuel filter, etc. The contaminates will settle in the tank to the very bottom, maybe even below your pickup tube. When you trailer and launch it all gets shloshed around, and you are feeding your engine crap.<br /><br />Take care of the overheating problem first, sounds like an impeller wore out or housing cracked from freezing. I had the same problem. Easy fix. When you are running in the driveway hose pressure will circulate some water through the engine, but in the lake, it relies on your pump totally.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

Also, IO didn't catch what type of drive or if the boat has an outdrive impellor, engine water pump and impellor or both. When my imellor in my outdrive cracked from freezing and I ran the engine on the hose, the impellor would spin, but instead of circulating water through the propper passages, it forced it right up past the impellor housing and past the upper drive seals getting water in the gear lube. Luckily I figured this out without having the unit in gear. But if this is a similar setup, check the gear lube in the outdrive for any water.

 

[dcschif]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

Is the impeller something that the somewhat mechanical can do or is this a job for the professionals? Is there a way to check the pickup system for the "lake" water? I have limited time and tools, but can do some minor stuff with good directions. How do I locate the proper manuals for the mechanical stuff I do have? thank you all for responding, It all helps us newbi's

 

[vipzach]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

Get the serial numbers and all the info you can off your motor and drive unit. Then one of the guys on hear can tell you the best place and type of manuel to get for the boat.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

First you need to identify the specific year and make of the drive. First thing, check the glove box of the boat for an original operators amanual, you never know. Take a picture and post a link to it. Someone on this forum would be gladly able to tell you what you have. Then buy a manual.<br /><br />I have done everything my self so far, had the excact same situation you are in, although my boat was in even worse shape when I recieved it. Took it out this week for the first time and got on plane! Got a bunch of carb/trim, and prop tweaks, but I am on my way.<br /><br />You learn a lot doing it yourself. Boat mechanics can be expensive, but as you said the merc people dont really even want to touch it. This is prolly more to do with liability issues and such. I am sure they could service it fine, as you could with propper knowledge and tools.<br /><br />checking the impellor in the outdrive will normally take no more than a couple hours even for a first time marine mechanic. You will need a hand when removing the outdrive so it doesnt drop to the driveway, but it is really a pretty easy check.<br /><br />Get the manual first though. You could need to get a few gaskets and such before even attempting this, as some drives recommend changing gaskets that are not able to be reused.

 

[Mahoney]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

Oh, and as much as you really want to run this boat. Don't even start it again till you get that stuff checked. You and your wallet will thank you in the long run.

 

[dcschif]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

thank you all for your responses, is it likely that the impeller that most of you are suggesting keep it from starting? When I tried to restart it in the water after getting the family back to the dock, it tried to start, made a hesitation and then would not fire. the starter engaged, but it never turned over the motor.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

Based from your attempt to restart and motor did not turn, I suggest you at least pull the spark plugs and be sure the cylinders are free from water, it is possible the motor is Hydrolocked many threads on that topic.

 

[QC]

Re: pretty on the trailer...nothing in the water

The impeller will NOT affect its ability to start. I agree with The Great White North, sounds like a possible hydrolock. Do not try to start it again until you comnfirm there is no water in the cylinders. You may not have bent anything, but you may have a bad manifold, head gasket etc. If it catches and starts with water in a cylinder you could be very sorry.