Spring Recommissioning For first time on new boat - Few Problems.

K

Ky Tundra

Member
Sep 5, 2017
92
Kentucky
Boat Info
1989 Sundancer 340
Engines
Twin 454 Mercruisers with v-drives
Finally getting some decent weather. Got most things put back together today.
- Turned the AC on after cleaning out the strainer. Is barely pumping water. Any ideas on how to troubleshoot?
- took the hot water bypass off and reconnected the water lines. The pressure relief valve was hissing as the heater filled up. Is it normal for some noise or is the valve bad?
- Boat has Mercruiser 454s. Manual calls for 40W oil or Mercruiser 4 Cycle Oil. What type of oil does everyone use? Operating range is 40-100 F.
Thanks for any input.
Happy Spring!
 
Hey there, where are you in KY - I had a 340 da and loved it. I am on the Ohio at LYC/12 mile island.
chris
 
Ky Tundra said:
- Turned the AC on after cleaning out the strainer. Is barely pumping water. Any ideas on how to troubleshoot?
Click to expand...

The AC pumps are not self priming, so you might have to prime it. Best way is to go run he boat, or you could pull the hose off the exit side of the pump with the seacock open and it should flood the pump head.

Ky Tundra said:
took the hot water bypass off and reconnected the water lines. The pressure relief valve was hissing as the heater filled up. Is it normal for some noise or is the valve bad?
Click to expand...

Did it leak once filled? The valve might have just been seating after being open all winter.
 
Strecker25 said:
The AC pumps are not self priming, so you might have to prime it. Best way is to go run he boat, or you could pull the hose off the exit side of the pump with the seacock open and it should flood the pump head.


Did it leak once filled? The valve might have just been seating after being open all winter.
Click to expand...

I'll give that a shot on the AC.

It seemed like it was making noise for a bit, but then quit. I'll check it again.
Thanks for the response.
 
Check your engine manual for oil type.

Usually Quicksilver 25w40 is used and can be obtained at various local establishments including Wal-Mart.

On the hissing hot water pressure relief. Make sure it's closed. During the weatherization most of the time it's left open.... just flip the lever. Or if it is closed..... open it until water runs out and then close it again. Could be some air trapped in the system.
 
We have same engines. Got boat with 650 hours on it now have 2950 hours. Engines still working well. Use 40# oil. Change every 100 hours. Shell seems to be the best but all other name brands work well. Change transmission oil every 250 hours. If you have a Quicksilver generator use it or it will give you problems. Water heaters make noise when you first fill them. Make sure all air is out before you turn on the power. I run taps until they stop sputtering. When you first start the boat have some one watch the exhaust. If it blows rust and white smoke once that is OK if it continues to blow white smoke you need to have a look at your risers.
 
Is it possible to prime the AC pump with a hose in the strainer?

I have the Quicksilver Gen but it's out of the boat. When I bought the boat, the gen would run, but wasn't producing any power.

On start up, of starboard engine only, got a "puff" of rusty sediment and carbon out of the exhaust. Came all at once and then ran clean, no smoke.

May have a little steam seepage around risers but it might have just been some standing water. Have to dig into that more.
 
Ky Tundra said:
Is it possible to prime the AC pump with a hose in the strainer?
.
Click to expand...

No need to do that if going for a ride won’t prime it.
My old boat would never prime the a/c pump by going for a ride.
Like Strecker said:

With a/c off:
1. Disconnect hose from discharge side of pump for a couple of (1 or 2 is all it takes) seconds until water starts to come out of the pumps discharge port.
2. Shove hose back on discharge side of pump, tighten clamps, and turn on a/c.
That should do it!
 
JVM225 said:
No need to do that if going for a ride won’t prime it.
My old boat would never prime the a/c pump by going for a ride.
Like Strecker said:

With a/c off:
1. Disconnect hose from discharge side of pump for a couple of (1 or 2 is all it takes) seconds until water starts to come out of the pumps discharge port.
2. Shove hose back on discharge side of pump, tighten clamps, and turn on a/c.
That should do it!
Click to expand...
You guys were right. Disconnected hose from pump and it worked perfectly. Thanks again.
 
Ky Tundra said:
You guys were right. Disconnected hose from pump and it worked perfectly. Thanks again.
Click to expand...

Great! Glad it worked out. Had to do it every time my old boat went back in the water. No big deal since it’s so quick and easy. Some boats just won’t prime by taking them for a ride.
Might just be something simple like hull shape, location of a/c through hull on the boat, type of strainer, or any combination of those things.
 
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