Now What?

HUMPH

HUMPH

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2009
7,618
SF BAY AREA
Boat Info
2003 410DA
2009 Walker Bay 13’
Engines
CAT 3126TA's 350HP/
50HP Honda
I did the trial run on Friday andf other than the port tach acting up all went well. I went by today to tweak the tachs and when I started the starboard engine it started shreaking! The serpentine belt was not moving.

I thought maybe the alternator was bad so I swapped it with the new on on the port side but it still squeeled. All I can think of is the sea water pump. Any confirmation?

I pulled the belt off and started it with no issue. I spun everything with the belt off and the pump was a bit tight but about the same as the other side.

They are doing the engine survey on Wednesday so i have to get this fixed by Tuesday! I know it is something pretty simple but I can't believe the timing! :smt021
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
Interesting thread, thanks. The only thing I can think of is the sea water pump. I hope I can get my mechanic down tomorrow to verify or else I will have to take a day off of work to play mechanic.
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Most likely it's going to be something with the sea water pump housing or some of the impeller blades are caught up inside the housings water passage holes.:smt115

Good luck.:smt001
 
Last edited:
NorCal Boater said:
How tight was the belt?
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Fairly tight then not so tight then tight then medium tight. It was fine all of the way to Monterey and a couple of trips in the delta after that. I tried several adjustments today just in case.
 
Is it possible the belt was too tight and caused a problem? I have not invested in a tension gauge for the belts. (yet)
 
I spoke to a Sea Ray mechanic that said it happens a lot. He says the impeller will sometimes reverse when you shut the motor down and it make it tough to turn the coorct way. Remove the housing and turn the impeller the right way and good as new? has anyone had this problem?
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
I spoke to a Sea Ray mechanic that said it happens a lot. He says the impeller will sometimes reverse when you shut the motor down and it make it tough to turn the coorct way. Remove the housing and turn the impeller the right way and good as new? has anyone had this problem?
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Yes, I have seen this a few times now.

If you would like to re-read my post below (Post #4) I did an edit later that night with what I meant to say was most likely going to be wrong with your impeller.:smt001
 
Boat Tech said:
Yes, I have seen this a few times now.

If you would like to re-read my post below (Post #4) I did an edit later that night with what I meant to say was most likely going to be wrong with your impeller.:smt001
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Thanks, I didn't catch the edit. If I can't get the mechanic to go down and fix this today I will need to take the day off tomorrow and do it myself. Do I need a gasket kit?
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
Thanks, I didn't catch the edit. If I can't get the mechanic to go down and fix this today I will need to take the day off tomorrow and do it myself. Do I need a gasket kit?
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You should replace the impeller while you have the pump open. Keep the old one as a spare if its OK.

No gaskets, I'm thinking there might be an O-ring on the housing... :huh:
 
JimG said:
You should replace the impeller while you have the pump open. Keep the old one as a spare if its OK.

No gaskets, I'm thinking there might be an O-ring on the housing... :huh:
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Yeah,

The impeller is all of 6 months old! I am hoping for the best.
 
Hopefully the O-Ring is readily available. I am heading to the marina shortly and will be taking the pump apart to investigate since I can't contact the mechanic that I spoke to this morning. These guys are amazing, if I responded the way they do I would be unemployed quickly! :smt021

"Hey, here is my credit card numer, can you fix my boat real quick?" I can't believe they don't even call back when they say they will.
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
Hopefully the O-Ring is readily available. I am heading to the marina shortly and will be taking the pump apart to investigate since I can't contact the mechanic that I spoke to this morning. These guys are amazing, if I responded the way they do I would be unemployed quickly! :smt021

"Hey, here is my credit card numer, can you fix my boat real quick?" I can't believe they don't even call back when they say they will.
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If you do end up needing a new O-ring (it's a 50/50 chance on needing one or not) See #'s 2 & 3 in the link.

To get an O-ring you may need to buy just the impeller if they do not have the O-ring alone in stock, Because the O-ring will come with the new impeller as a kit.

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...r=7752&bnbr=230&bdesc=Sea+Water+Pump+Assembly
 
Update!

I waited for traffic to subside and ran to the marina to try and get it fixed. I popped off the belt and tried to turn the pump clockwise (no go) then counter clockwise (go). I grabbed the pulley with both hands and forced it clockwise and it finally moved and started to spin easily! :smt038

I put the belt back on, tightened it and fired up the engine and all I heard what the sweet sound of my 350 MAG MPI purring. As it turned out there was nothing really mechanically wrong, just a "backlash" from the engine shutting down turned the impeller the wrong way. Take note as it may happen to others here.

Now she is back to being ready for the engine survey and hull survey Wednesday. If all goes well I will have a done deal so I can move on up. I will miss this boat though, she has been good to us even though she has been teasing me lately. It's almost like she's doing this all on purpose.....
 
That’s an interesting technical topic...I wonder if they could fit a freewheel on the pump hub. It would probably put some stress on the belt at shutdown, but it could prevent the impeller from reversing!
Freewheel.jpg
 
Pietro said:
That’s an interesting technical topic...I wonder if they could fit a freewheel on the pump hub. It would probably put some stress on the belt at shutdown, but it could prevent the impeller from reversing!
Freewheel.jpg
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Interesting idea! In 2006 when I bought my GMC/Duramax, everytime I shut the engine off the belt would let out a "chirp". By the end of 06 GM came out with a TSB stating they had a "clutched" pulley for the alternator that would engage in only one direction and free wheel the other. I changed it myself and voila, no more chirp:thumbsup:
 
Pietro said:
That’s an interesting technical topic...I wonder if they could fit a freewheel on the pump hub. It would probably put some stress on the belt at shutdown, but it could prevent the impeller from reversing!
Freewheel.jpg
Click to expand...


Send the idea to Mercruiser!
 
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