Running with no water?

[sramelyk]

Can I run my outboard for a short period of time without water? I am talking about 30 seconds at the most.

 

[alcan]

Re: Running with no water?

No. As little as three sec.is enough to dammage your water pump empeller. Why would you whant to do this anyway?

 

[grandx]

Re: Running with no water?

I'll second the NO, now if it happened accidently and it still pumps ok and temps are alright you got lucky. 30 seconds is a long time with no water. Impeller needs water to keep it lubricated.

 

[sramelyk]

Re: Running with no water?

Well. I had some trouble with it, and did some repairs.. I brought it to work because I am going camping straight from here. I got ansy wondering if its gonna run, so I started and let it run for about 30 seconds.. Now I am freaking out! I hope everything is ok.. It ran and sounded fine... Crap. I guess its possible everything is ok?

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Running with no water?

I say "Sure, No problem, have at it, Fire that puppy Up!" <br /><br />After you're done, drop the lower unit and replace the impeller, it should pretty well be toast by then. You'll then know 2 things. You'll know it starts and runs AND you'll know you have a new pump. <br /><br />You may get lucky and the vanes of the old pump won't break off and get sucked up into the powerhead.<br /><br />All kidding aside, if it were mine, I would't even think about dry starting it out of water....

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Running with no water?

Don't freak out just yet. Get it out on the water and watch the engine temp very closely. If you have done some damage, you'll know it right away.

 

[nickster]

Re: Running with no water?

Xcusme that should be in the other topic funny boating experience. I liked it

 

[sramelyk]

Re: Running with no water?

Bad thing.. I don't have a temperature guage.. Its a 1980 procraft.. I truelly am freaking out! Is there another way to tell? Aside from the boat coming to a roaring stop? Will the boat run if the impeller is damaged? AHHHHHH!! What did I do!

 

[nickster]

Re: Running with no water?

So you did fire this thing for about 30 sec. The least that you will need now is a water pump but if this thing got hot enough to shut itself down you should do a compression test it might not be worth putting a water pump in if you fried the motor. Tell us the results of the compression test.<br /> Nickster

 

[sramelyk]

Re: Running with no water?

Heres the deal.. The engine ran fine. I started it without water, at the most for 30 secs. It sounded great! I then TURNED IT OFF.. It didn't shut itself off, or give any indication that anything was wrong.. I just thought the water was used for cooling and that the engine wouldn't get hot in 20-30 secs.. Thats why I inquired.. I haven't had the chance to take it on the water yet.. I would assume it would run fine.. But now I am freaking thinking I might have damaged something.. I didn't get any indication of it..

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Running with no water?

sramelyk,<br />As I said before , Don't get too excited until you have more info. Get the motor in the water, start it up and watch for the 'pee stream'. If no water, or very little comming out could mean a damaged impeller. If your motor has a thermostat, it will allow more or less water to circulate as the motor needs additional cooling. Depending on how long you have owned the motor and knowing it's history, a water pump impeller replacement will put your mind at ease.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Running with no water?

Well, there's really only two things to do at this point:<br /><br />1) Start it up in water. Look for pee/water from cooling outlet (like mixed with exhaust). If OK you are one lucky son of .. and you may use it under observation.<br /><br />If no or only little water shows do not run the engine, water or not.<br /><br />2) Wether the above turns out one way or the other, replace the impeller as soon as possible.

 

[grandx]

Re: Running with no water?

scram,<br />If possible pick up a new impeller before leaving town, probably easier to find one on Friday than tomorrow. You never said what kind of engine it was.. when you back it into the water tomorrow start it up, and with the water pump submersed you have alot of time to watch it run on the trailer before worrying about overheating. Look for a pee stream, pull the cowling and briefly touch the heads after a couple of minutes, should be too hot to keep your hands on but shouldn't burn you on a quick touch. Every minute or so touch it again, a damp hand will help. A couple of drops of water on the heads should not sizzle, just run off. Then take it out and run it at higher throttle and make sure you still have a pee stream, if all checks out you got lucky, save the new impeller for replacement later. Keep an eye on the pee stream and have a good weekend. If it all doesn't check out, you can replace that impeller in 1/2 hour and still enjoy the weekend.

 

[tgodiver]

Re: Running with no water?

I would definitely drop the lower unit to check. Too much of a risk to guess. The vanes are packed very tight in the housing and will generate alot of heat with just a few turns.

 

[sramelyk]

Re: Running with no water?

Whew! Apparently there was no impellar damage. The water pump seemed to work great! However, my motor is still giving me major trouble. I ran it once at the beginning of the year. It ran better than its ever ran. About a month later I ran it again and it had no hull shot. Would only run about 10-15 mph. When I go from neutral all the way forward real quick the engine boggs down and dies. I replaced the plugs and the gas (WHICH THE GAS HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE TANK FOR 2 YEARS). Obviously there could be lots of things wrong. Its probably an early 80's 80HP mercury. I had what appeared to be the same problem last year and I just replaced the plugs, which worked great. I am not sure what to do. I talked to a local mechanic right around the NOLIN LAKE area in Kentucky and he told me I probably needed my carb rebuilt.. I may try a few things, but who knows.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Running with no water?

Old gas turns to varnish, literally. I would clean the carb and fuel system from the tank to the carb. You probably have some gunk in the carb or fuel lines somewhere.

 

[grandx]

Re: Running with no water?

Glad your weekend wasn't ruined. Now that your back, I'd replace that impeller, probably due anyways. I'd put money on a gummed up carb as well... Pull it off and clean it and it'll probably run like a champ.

 

[sramelyk]

Re: Running with no water?

Ok clean the carbs.. Would this be easy? Simply remove and clean with a carb cleaner? Is this something easy that I can do myself? I am fairly mechanically inclined.

 

[grandx]

Re: Running with no water?

Should be easy enough, get a carb kit with new seals, seats etc. Soak it in carb cleaner and put it back together the way it came apart. While its soaking, put that new impeller in...

 

[dinsdale]

Re: Running with no water?

BUY THE REPAIR MANUAL FOR YOUR MOTOR.<br /><br />Helps immensely. Cost $40 CDN