Did I lose an engine?

[cjd]

Finally got time or made time to get out this summer. Let engins warm 30 minutes before going out. All temps were fine. about 180. Got halfway out the the bay and the stdb. engine alarm went off. Looked at the temp guage and was maxed at 225. Port side was just under 220 which was typical of the warm waters in the bay this time of year.

Turned it off to let cool down. Waited about 30 minutes and stbd side would not turn over. Nothing.

Got back to the dock on one engine. Still would not turn over. Looked down below and there was about a quart of colant in the bilge. Checked fluids and all looked fine.


Any ideas? 1985 36C w/454 crusaders- Boat was dewinterized with all fluids changed.

 

[MikeP]

WOW...mighty hot! Sounds like the heat exchangers need serious attention/cleaning. Clearly, with the coolant in the bilge, that engine was overheating. Hopefully, no damage was done but I wouldn't be shocked if you ended up with a head or head gasket problem.

Pull the heat exchangers and clean them or have them cleaned. It seems unlikely it would be a thermostat problem since both engines were too hot. Both thermostats would not fail but BOTH HEs were exposed to the same conditions and are probably considerably obstructed.

 

[saltshaker]

If the boat has been sitting, I would suspect the raw water intakes are fouled.

 

[Pete]

No mention of changing out the raw water impellers. After sitting all winter and half the summer wonder how many full vanes are left attached to the impller hub. I would first install some new impellers. Cleaning the heat exchangers is always a good idea and you may find some impeller vane pieces in there. What ever is on the end of the water output hose from the raw water pump also needs some inspection for pieces of vanes.

Pete

 

[cjd]

Thanks for the good info.
I thought of the clogged raw water intakes, but I checked to make sure water was flowing normally before I left the docks.

I did notice white smoke or what i thought was steam about half way out.

 

[saltshaker]

Thanks for the good info.
I thought of the clogged raw water intakes, but I checked to make sure water was flowing normally before I left the docks.

I did notice white smoke or what i thought was steam about half way out.

Its hard to tell if you are getting enough flow. What may seem normal at idle and even when running, might not be enough to keep the engines cool enough.

 

[SeaEric]

It seems everyone is ignoring the fact that the engine does not turn over now. It may be hydrolocked from water in the cylinders. If so, this needs to be addressed immediately! She may have a bad manifold or riser. Is this a raw water cooled engine? Pull the spark plugs and see if she is still locked up. Water lying in the cylinders will kill the engine if it hasn't already. Check the manifolds and risers. They need to be changed every so often. 10 years ( I think) is about their life span.

 

[saltshaker]

Good point Eric. We were focused on the cause and forgot about the main concern. Won't matter too much what caused the overheat if the engine is hydro-locked and left sitting. It needs to be checked out ASAP.

 

[MikeP]

Yes, it is a good point. I ASSUMED that by saying it wouldn't start that we were talking about the starter spinning the motor but it wouldn't fire/stay running. It didn't occur to me to understand it to mean the motor was "locked up" and couldn't spin.

We need to standardize our mechanic engine trouble-shooting terms!

 

[cjd]

Thanks for the help and suggestions as i am novice when it comes to engins. I visited boat yesterday in hopes the motor would miraculously start. Starbd side does not crank, nothing. Its like the battery is dead. Port side started just fine. Is there some sort of reset button?? Could transmission be stuck in gear somehow?? Starter overheated with the high temps??

Did some poking around. Oil is clean, collant is clean, raw water strainers were clean. Did not have the correct size to pull the spark plugs. checked fuses. Batteries fully charged.

Noticed some ( about a pint)fresh coolant that must have overflowed sitting in the bilge. I have a mechanic checking it out on monday.

 

[jim rosenthal]

He will probably try to turn the engine by hand with the plugs out. If it turns, great. If not, uh oh. Good luck.

 

[SeaEric]

Any update? What did the mechanic find?

 

[cjd]

Good news.
Turns out the trans cable was dislodged from the stbd. engine making it seem like it was in gear. Engin started and took a test drive. Did run hot. Some vibration in the props most likely from dirty props.
Mechanic said it may have been running hot due to a dirty bottom, having not run at all this year.
I plan on having it pulled out to clean the haul and props. Maybe think about having the risers inspected.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[sandspur1966]

While that is extraordinarily good news (I would have put money on a head gasket.) I question what your mechanic says about the engine running hot becuase of increased drag of a fouled bottom.

Regardless of load (due to weight, drag etc.) your engines have a duty cycle that should allow them to stay within operating temperature range. I would listen to all the smart guys who advised you to service both the salt and fresh water sides of your cooling system.

I would immediately:

1) Check and clean raw water strainers.
2) Replace both Impellers on Raw water pumps regardless of how they look,.
3) Trace the raw water rout and remove any debris from collection points (heat exchanger etc.)
4) Service the heat exchanger with a solution to clean corrosion
5) remove coolant, flush engine, and install new coolant.

Sounds like a lot of work but it is a lot cheaper than betting that you dodge another bullet on an overheated engine.

Just IMHOP.

 

[REBrueckner]

Posts by cjd make it impossible to provide much assistance. Without an accurate trouble description with relevant information, solutions will be all over the place and or marginal value.

A dislodged cable has nothing to do with obverheating. Sounds like this boat needs some serious attention.

 

[cjd]

Man- You are tuff around the edges there REB man.


The initial problem started with an overheated engine with temps visibly above 180 port and 200 at stbd. and the alarm sounding as stated in the initial post. Knowing the risers and elbows were in need of replacement ( Due to age) i guess i just assumed or thought the worse when the stbd. engine did not fire back up after shutting down to cool.

Sorry, I should have been more explicite. I am a carpenter by trade and not a mechanic.

Not tempting fate or luck, I am having both exchangers cleaned and serviced and will be replacing all risers and elbows. FWIW- total cost is 1500 for parts and 1500 for labor to have the work done professionally.

The boat is in great shape other than that.

 

[sammidog]

cjd, you are doing the right things, but as others have said, do the raw water impellers as well. You can do that yourself. It is easy on Crusaders. Pull the pump off(2 bolts) remove 4 screws on the backing plate, pull out the old impeller(can be stuck, but some pb blaster will help. A tool is also available) put new impeller in(the keyway can be a challenge to line up), lube with liquid dishwashing soap, replace backing plate with gasket, replace pump on engine, go.