I've got an odd problem I've never seen before. Engines are Cummins QSB 425. I typically use a Sea Flush with the hose adapter to pull antifreeze from a bucket and have never had an issue. Starboard engine went fine but port side refuses to take a suction on the antifreeze. Steps taken so far:
- Oil change. Engine ran fine to warm up with good water flow from exhaust.
- Closed sea cock, then vacuumed out the strainer.
- Used Sea Flush with the recommended paper towel "gasket" to blow out the sea chest, opening then closing the sea cock.
- Fitted hose adapter, started engine. No suction. Tried this a couple of times, making sure the Sea Flush was as tight as possible.
- Fitted a garden hose adapter I have to the sea strainer and ran a different hose to the bucket. Same result.
- Checked that the belt was turning the seawater pump. Impeller is brand new two weeks ago so I assumed it couldn't have failed.
One thing I didn't do this year was to drain the sea water side of the engine after the impeller by pulling the zincs as they are all fresh and I wanted to avoid the mess. So, there is water on one side of the pump and air on the other.
My plan is to go ahead and drain the system by pulling the lower aftercooler zinc. I'll also pull off the pump cover to make sure the impeller is intact. I think I will also fill the sea strainer with antifreeze in case that will help prime the system.
Has anyone had a similar problem? I did a CSR and internet search and couldn't find anything. Any thoughts would be welcome.
- Oil change. Engine ran fine to warm up with good water flow from exhaust.
- Closed sea cock, then vacuumed out the strainer.
- Used Sea Flush with the recommended paper towel "gasket" to blow out the sea chest, opening then closing the sea cock.
- Fitted hose adapter, started engine. No suction. Tried this a couple of times, making sure the Sea Flush was as tight as possible.
- Fitted a garden hose adapter I have to the sea strainer and ran a different hose to the bucket. Same result.
- Checked that the belt was turning the seawater pump. Impeller is brand new two weeks ago so I assumed it couldn't have failed.
One thing I didn't do this year was to drain the sea water side of the engine after the impeller by pulling the zincs as they are all fresh and I wanted to avoid the mess. So, there is water on one side of the pump and air on the other.
My plan is to go ahead and drain the system by pulling the lower aftercooler zinc. I'll also pull off the pump cover to make sure the impeller is intact. I think I will also fill the sea strainer with antifreeze in case that will help prime the system.
Has anyone had a similar problem? I did a CSR and internet search and couldn't find anything. Any thoughts would be welcome.
