Ran out of water briefly

[BJ1]

So when I was putting my boat on the lift today I forgot I didn't shut the engine off. I got off the boat and started my lift. I walked to the end of the dock to throw stuff away. About the time I got back I could hear the boat was still running and the alarm started going off. I immediately stopped the lift hurdled on the boat and turned it off. I'd say at the very Max the intakes may have been out of the water 20 secs. I had the boat out on the lake for and 40 min so it wasn't dry. Do you think any damage was done? If it helps any the boat only has about 7 hours on it so the impeller ought to be in great condition! I did put it back down and turned it on briefly and the gauges looked good but I didn't run it very long at the time.

 

[alldodge]

IMO and in a word no, the impeller is toast.

I got back I could hear the boat was still running and the alarm started going off

and even if it's still ok, I would check it. The impeller is cheap, and the one cheap part that if not working correctly can destroy your motor

 

[Yegboats]

http://www.iboats.com/Mercruiser-St...2681184--session_id.450884138--view_id.268709

 

[Scott Danforth]

Toasted rubber parts only take seconds. Time to put in a raw water pump

 

[thumpar]

I am sure the engine is fine but the impeller not so much.

 

[BJ1]

I figured as much. Thanks for the replies. I talked to my mechanic and he said the same. Now another question...can I safely idle around the cove to the ramp to put my boat on the trailer??? Maybe 5 min or less.

 

[fhhuber]

Yep... cheap insurance to replace the impeller.

Note: if it happens again. Don't put the boat back down and test for about an hour with the engine cover open. Let it cool. You don't want to crack a hot block by pumping cold water through it.

Idle a few min may or may not be a good plan...
I'm not sure on that one. Can you see cooling water coming out in the normal place(s)?

Safer to use a rope and a couple of pulleys to drag it onto the trailer.

 

[BJ1]

When I put it back in, water was pumping out normally it seemed, but it was very brief. I didn't know what damage I'd possibly already caused or could cause. I'm fairly new to boating but my father in law has been around his whole life. He said to let it idle again 10 min or so and see if it overheats. Anyone recommend this??

 

[R055]

Just change the impeller, cheap insurance.

If you do the 10 minutes thing, you have to be staring at the water temp gauge and if it starts getting too warm turn if off fast.

 

[alldodge]

I figured as much. Thanks for the replies. I talked to my mechanic and he said the same. Now another question...can I safely idle around the cove to the ramp to put my boat on the trailer??? Maybe 5 min or less.

When I put it back in, water was pumping out normally it seemed,

Shouldn't be a problem, just watch the temp gauge.