Volvo md2020 - no water from exhaust

[catlotion]

Hi,

I was about to winterise our volvo md2020 engine and was checking the raw water strainer. Unfortunately I ran the engine briefly without remembering to put the strainer cap back on and now there is no water coming from the exhaust (even after replacing the cap).

Have I created an airlock somewhere?

cheers,

Toby

 

[VicS]

The pump may simply have lost its prime. get some water into it and with luck all will be well.

If "briefly" was not quite as brief as you imply, running the pump dry may have knackered the impeller.

 

[Miker]

My engine is a 2010B. Before launching, I have to top up the water strainer to prime it, so I would agree with the previous posting.

 

[catlotion]

it was about a minute I reckon...

how would I get water back in the pump? I tried pouring anti-freeze mix in the strainer (my original objective), but couldn't get that to come out of the exhaust either - not sure where it went though!

thanks

 

[the_branflake]

Hello,

You should have now filled the pipework upto the pump, so if you keep it full start the engine and then keep it topped up as the engine runs it should start to appear out the back again.

Have you taken your thermostat out?

 

[catlotion]

no, should I?

our local Beneteau dealer suggested I should just do the following (boat is on a swing mooring and we intend to use it on occasions over winter)

• Close seacock
• Pour anti-freeze mix in strainer when running engine until it comes out exhaust
• Stop engine
• Open seacock

I did disturb the anti-syphon loop a bit as we removed the steps for re-varnishing. Could this have any effect? I've also become a bit paranoid about sinking today too - if the impeller is damaged and the anti-syphon loop drops down below the waterline, is it possible that water could syphon in? It was above the waterline when I left it, but not as secure as it was... aaaarghh!!!!

thanks for help guys

 

[VicS]

If its just due to the pump losing its prime try filling the pump by taking the outelt hose off or even taking the other end off the antisyphon valve and pouting water down into the pump from that

If the impeller or pump is worn you will have recurring problems with this.

You have not left the boat with the seacock open, have you? So there is no chance of anything flooding or syphoning.

 

[catlotion]

yep - seacock open (as per instructions above)

nothing is disconnected though - I was just worried about the anti-syphon hose dropping in a storm or something...

 

[the_branflake]

The bit about the thermostat is for raw water cooled, just so you dont have to wait for it to warm up before the antifreeze gets round the whole engine. Sorry should have made that clear.

 

[VicS]

yep - seacock open (as per instructions above)

I dont think the instructions were meant to imply that you leave the seacock open when you leave the boat.
If you shut the seacock when you leave the boat you have no worries about flooding or syphoning 'cos there is no way in for the water. It is advisable that you devise some safeguard against forgetting to open it before running the engine, however.

 

[catlotion]

I was told that they recommend all 'their boats' to leave all seacocks open in winter so any expanding ice has a place to go (i.e. down and into the water) rather than fracturing the fitting...

Maybe I should go up there and close it... I'm paranoid now!

 

[TonyS]

Hi,

I was about to winterise our volvo md2020 engine and was checking the raw water strainer. Unfortunately I ran the engine briefly without remembering to put the strainer cap back on and now there is no water coming from the exhaust (even after replacing the cap).

Have I created an airlock somewhere?

cheers,

Toby

You simply need to close the sea cock and then fill the strainer and then put the cap on the strainer and then open the sea cock and start the engine. If the impeller is damaged replace it first of course. You don't need a new pump whatever the wear, simply put a Non Return Valve (£5) after the pump which will always keep water in it.