Volvo Penta 5.0 GXI Raw Water Cooling Question

[Take5]

Hello,

I have been to see our Four Winns 248 today (that we still haven't been out on, long story).

I fired her up on the muffs and after what I would guess was close on 5 mins I have still not saw any water coming out the back of leg (like the mercruiser used to do) or the exhaust. The temp gauge was just moving off the bottom and would have been reading approx 120.

I felt the exhaust risers and they were hot to touch though not "boiling" if that makes sense.

Is this what should happen with this set up as I decided to switch off at this point as I thought it should have been circulating the water by then?

I have asked this question before but kind of answered it myself so apologies for asking a similar question but I am hoping someone can give me a definitive answer.

THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

[GandalfLoJ]

Well, my thoughts is that there is a problem there. You need a fair bit of water to cool the engine and from what I've seen on other engines run on muffs then there should be a good flow coming out.

Were they fitted correctly? Was there a kink in the hose? I'd get the engine checked out thoroughly as best case it's just fried the impellers which should never be run dry.

 

[neale]

If you spent 5 mins pumping water into the engine, it must be going somewhere!! If it is not coming out the back of the boat, it can only be filling the bilge via a split hose/pipe etc.

Did you defiantly have a good flow through the muffs?

 

[volvopaul]

If it was drained down for the winter, have all the drain plugs been replaced??

 

[spannerman]

If you ran it for 5 mins with no sign of water from the exhaust, then I would inspect the impellor to make sure its not been damaged by being run dry if the water didn't make it into the engine.

 

[Take5]

Thanks to you ALL for your input.

As far as im aware it won't of been drained so the plugs shouldn't have been removed.

The last time I fired her up (which was the one and only time) was about 3 months and I remember panicking because nothing came out immediately (that was in a big big bath of water rather than on muffs), but eventually (after how long I can't recall) she started spilling water out of the exausts on the leg.

I think I am as well to let someone have a look at the impellor / stat etc.

THANKS AGAIN for your info.

 

[Its_Only_Money]

Was there good pressure from the hose?

Was water coming out from the small bellows twixt drive and transom plate?

Has the engine run properly and when - the Volvo pump is on the front of the engine so you need enough head to get water to that height before the pump will circulate it, obviously any blockages in the leg passages, splits in the bellows, blocked hose to or from the raw pump etc will prevent the water getting to the pump.

Is the engine drivebelt OK and in place so the raw pump is being driven?

An alternative might be to fire it up with the leg in a large tub so the water intake is covered, if all is well the level will drop (sharpish), if not then you will see a constant level.

The one thing that makes me think some water was getting somewhere was the slight movement of the temp gauge, most need to be sitting in water to indicate the temp.

 

[Take5]

[ QUOTE ]
Was there good pressure from the hose? YES

Was water coming out from the small bellows twixt drive and transom plate? NO

Has the engine run properly and when - I HAVEN'T USED HER YET. ABOUT TO TAKE HER OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME WHEN I AM HAPPY THINGS ARE IN ORDER.

- the Volvo pump is on the front of the engine so you need enough head to get water to that height before the pump will circulate it, obviously any blockages in the leg passages, splits in the bellows, blocked hose to or from the raw pump etc will prevent the water getting to the pump.

Is the engine drivebelt OK and in place so the raw pump is being driven? YES

An alternative might be to fire it up with the leg in a large tub so the water intake is covered, if all is well the level will drop (sharpish), if not then you will see a constant level.

The one thing that makes me think some water was getting somewhere was the slight movement of the temp gauge, most need to be sitting in water to indicate the temp. - ME TOO M8



[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the advice. I have already fired her up in a tub (as per my above post).

 

[Its_Only_Money]

OK but that was 3mths ago, I know you haven´t used her yet but presumably she was reported as running ok when last used?

I´d try the tub of water test again and have the impellor changed. If you want another simple check pull the intake hose off the pump and turn on the hose, water should flow from the end of the hose indicating it can make it to the pump.

 

[Take5]

Thanks again for the info, much appreciated.