Cummins 6bta no water flow to exhaust

[Pierpressure1]

I have a friend with a Meridian that we started today for the first time this season. The exhaust on both engines were not pumping water at all.

We confirmed the sea cocks were open, strainers are clean, water is entering strainer when cover is off and impellers look brand new.

Are we missing something? Could there be an air lock?

 

[NotHerDecision]

Some boats have valves to drain the mufflers for winterizing in the winter. Are those open? Are you sure it’s not an underwater exhaust boat? Something strange because the likelihood of both engines doing the same thing is almost zero.

 

[PMC]

Air bound.....Check the obvious, that the strainer caps are tight and secure (not allowing air in). Check the hoses well too. Especially around where they bend for any signs of cracking (strainer to pump)


This happened to me during the survey on the STBD engine. The hose was cracked along the bends, and it was sucking air enough through the hose, not to prime the pump. The mechanic revved up the engine, and it started pumping. The hose was changed, and the problem went away!

 

[Pierpressure1]

Thanks for the replies. We will check for issues with hoses and anything else that can cause loss of pressure.

 

[ttmott]

I have a friend with a Meridian that we started today for the first time this season. The exhaust on both engines were not pumping water at all.

We confirmed the sea cocks were open, strainers are clean, water is entering strainer when cover is off and impellers look brand new.

Are we missing something? Could there be an air lock?

Does the meridian have underwater exhaust with the above water bypass? If so you will probably not see water out of the bypass at idle. Typically the engine raw water pump is below the water level and the pump is a positive displacement so priming is never an issue. Close the seacock and remove the strainer lid then crack open the seacock and verify water pours out of the strainer; this verifies the seacock is in the open position.