What damage did I do?

J

jwalk2c

Cadet
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
6
Hello everyone,<br />I have a 1988 165hp inline 4 that has the closed cooling system. Every year I remove the metal cap at end of heat exchanger just to be on the safe side. (Dumb Me)<br />I was getting boat out of storage, getting ready to change oil for first use.<br />I hooked up water hose to lower unit and cranked boat, after about 5 minutes I relized I had not replaced the cap on heat exchanger.<br />The temp gauge never went up, but it was some smoke coming from the rear dischage rubber hose that connects the metal discharge housings.<br />And the smell of burning plastic or rubber which may have just been the freash air ventaltion hose. <br />Also, (and here is where it really gets scarry)<br />on the ground at prop where pieces of what appears to be burnt rubber and soot. "Ouch"<br />Any way boat ran fine, no water in oil, and no leaks.<br />But I never have trusted the temp gauge in the<br />past becuse it never goes abover 130.???<br />How can I tell if engine is now running to hot?<br />And what could that burnt rubber been?<br />Thanks and try not to laugh to hard,<br />Johnny Walker
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: What damage did I do?

Moving to I/O
 
WillyBWright

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: What damage did I do?

Motor's okay, rubber exhaust parts are cooked.<br /><br />The coolant should keep the motor cool for at least a few minutes. But the exhaust system needs the cooling water that was pouring into your bilge. You'll need some new rubber parts.<br /><br />I'm not laughing. Could've been a lot worse. Good luck. You shouldn't need much.
 
SS MAYFLOAT

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: What damage did I do?

Sounds like your lower unit impeller got cooked. Should never ever start any I/O system without the muffs on the outdrive. Just seconds is all it takes to destroy it. I have seen lots of people dry start their engine at the ramp to only be towed in later cause they cooked their impeller prior to launching. You still need that water flow to keep your engine cool regardless closed or raw water system.<br /><br />As far as your temp guage, ground out the temp sending wire to the block. YOur guage should peg out to the max. If not, your guage is bad. If it does, you may want to install a new sending unit. Make sure you get the right one. Dual station sending units are of a differnt value than single station. Also you may need to change you thermostat as well. It may be opening up to soon.<br /><br />Good luck and Welcome to the iboats forum!
 
SS MAYFLOAT

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: What damage did I do?

Prior to installing a new impeller. Make sure all the parts from the old impeller are accounted for. They could be stuck in a passage somewhere and cause future problems as well.
 
J

jwalk2c

Cadet
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
6
Re: What damage did I do?

Thanks very much to all. And I appreciate the warm welcome.<br />I did have the water muff on and water flowing from garden hose, and the water was flowing out of heat exchanger.<br />So replacing lower impeller is something I should probably let a boat mechanic do.<br />I can do some work, but is this something that <br />somone who has never removed a lower unit can do?<br />And if more rubber parts are cooked, maybe I should let a pro check it out? My shop manual show water pump on back of engine.<br /><br />I ran boat all day today. (I guess now that was not to bright), but engine did not seem to run hot? I opened engine compartment several times but how would you know how hot is to hot without a trusty gauge.<br />Could I diagonose by putting water muff on, crank engine and open heat exchanger agian and see if water is pumping? <br />Or is the burnt rubber parts a dead giveaway?<br />Common sense tells me yes. <br />This has been such a good engine I don't want to take a chance.<br />Air temp was 90 but lake water was cool.<br />Thanks so much for all the responces.<br />Johnny Walker
 
achris

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: What damage did I do?

Mr Walker,<br /><br />Because you had un-cooled exhaust running down inside the leg, get the mecahnic to check the water pocket cover in the bottom of the upper gearbox. They're only made of plastic and distort when overheated, by hot exhaust gas. If it's distorted and not fixed you'll end up with 'overheats at high rpm' type problems.<br /><br />Chris...........
 
J

jwalk2c

Cadet
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
6
Re: What damage did I do?

Thanks Chris,<br />The largest piece of burnt mealted rubber and or / rubber that I could find is round and has what appears to have had a lip shape.<br />I will follow you advice. <br />Thanks to all<br />Johnny
 
M

mercrewser

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 4, 2003
Messages
367
Re: What damage did I do?

the pump may be damaged by the hot exhaust gases and possibly outdrive seals may also be damaged. A mechanic can check this. You can probably find "heat sticks" somewhere. They are wax like and melt at specific temps. Stick em on the engine and you know the temp. I'm sure someone here can show you where to get them.
 
C

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,586
Re: What damage did I do?

The rubber you found was the outer edges of the exhaust flapper.This is not all that uncommon to happen.To test the motor temp at 130 degrees you should be able to touch the risers without burning your hand.To be honest with you 130 sounds low for a fwc motor so be careful when doing the touch test.Sears has a timing light looking digital temp tester that you can just point at the different parts of the motor and get an accurate reading.Charlie
 
K

kd6nem

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 25, 2003
Messages
576
Re: What damage did I do?

The infra red thermostats are wonderful, though read more accurately on dark surfaces. Light colored surfaces tend to read a bit cooler than they are, if memory serves me here. A dab of magic marker or black paint can fix that problem- though black tape may not work quite as well. Might be splitting hairs here- can't remember how much difference. 10 or 15 degrees?
 
J

jwalk2c

Cadet
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
6
Re: What damage did I do?

Thanks again for all this vaulable info.<br />Never thought of infra red tstats. Good ideal. <br />No problem with dark surface. Engine is Mecury<br />black.<br />But boat is definatly going to the shop before I do anymore damage.<br />I have Clymer shop manual. This water pump does not look at all like the one im my old trusty Dodge 318 pickup.:)<br />Way over my head. <br />I am still kicking myself. I have had a boat of some kind most of my life, and every year I make one or two goof ups. It never fails.<br />I hope to find out soon just what this mistake is going to cost me.<br />Luckly I do have a friend that is a boat mechanic and moonlights. <br />I'll keep posted.<br />Thanks again for such a friendly forum.<br />I always meet the nicest people on the lake.<br />Johnny
 
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