Volvo2003 white smoke/no water

[mbl]

I have a 20year old Volvo Penta 2003 sea water cooled.
At the weekend we noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust and that water was no longer coming out.
We stopped the engine, checked the sea water filter wasn't blocked.
I then checked the impeller and it looked fine.
The same thing happened when we restarted it.
Since, I've checked the anode - it's now about 1 1/2 inches long and looking pretty knackered but I don't know how big it was originally (we have had our Sigma 36 for 10 months). I also checked the thermostat in a pan of water - it opened before the water boiled but I don't have a thermometer.
I'll check the hoses aren't blocked.

Is there anything else I can do before calling an engineer ?

thanks,
mark

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[Trevor_swfyc]

Mark,

First check that the inlet is not blocked by removing the filter and cautiously open the sea valve.
The impeller may look fine but it is not unknown for the inner of the impeller to turn without the outer as the rubber can come unstuck from the metal centre.
The cover plate on the inside after 20 yrs will be well worn, try turning the plate so that the outer is facing in or get it ground flat. Also make sure you are using the correct thickness of pump gasket which is critical.
You may have an air lock try putting a water based lubricant on the impeller lips so it helps it pick up water which then acts as a self lubricant.

Trevor

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[maxi]

Are you sure it was white smoke -could it not be steam, highly likely if there is little or no raw water circulating. I would have a look at the suction pipe between the intake skin fitting and the water pump. These have a nasty habit of deforming and closing themselves off whilst under suction - returning to their original form when the pump stops, thus making it difficult to find the cause.
They are also known to break down internally thus creating their own blockage.
If you are looking at this pipe, why not take the opportunity to replace it entirely whilst you have it unshipped - well worth the couple of quid it would cost, just to eliminate it.
Good luck

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[DaveParry]

Had a similar problem myself this Easter: white smoke from exhaust then over temp alarm. After consulting the marina engineer over the phone while drifting about, becalmed, I disconnected the water inlet hose from the impeller housing and blew down it. I could hear the bubbles coming out of the bottom and then when I stopped blowing I got a burst of water which propelled a small family of mussel shells out! Problem solved.

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[Skyva_2]

The worst case is blocked engine waterways and exhaust elbow caused by seawater deposits and sedimentation. Could be seriously expensive if you don't get it checked, and I speak from experience! Unless it's been checked recently in the last 20 years?


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[jleaworthy]

The impellor in your seawater pump might look OK but it has been known for the bonding between the neoprene part and the central bronze bush to fail. I had this happen to me on a 2002. Check by turning the engine over with the pump front plate removed.

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[mldpt]

Hi I had a problem with my 2003 a year or so ago, mine is a fresh water cooled engine but the problem would be the same on either engine, the waterways in the Exhaust elbow become blocked so water cannot get through only a small amount hence the steam and as the water is not circulating through the engine it over heats, My westerly has instead of a valve to prevent syphoning back, a small pipe taken from the top of the water inlet bend this comes out of the side of the boat and is very handy as a telltail if water is dribling out of this I know there is water flow but when the elbow became blocked the water was forced out of the telltail because it was restricted at the elbow. I removed the elbow and cleaned out the water ways pouring boiling water in to disolve the salt etc I did clear it eventually but now wish I had bought a new one as it was becoming very thin in places. I now have a thermometer car type with in and out senser I have stuck the senser onto the elbow now if the temp rises I can see at a glance, I suppose I should fit an exhaust overheat alarm. The other thing that I also found was the small wedge that fits into the raw water pump that deforms the impellor blades and makes it pump had a deep grove in the middle and after replacing this I got a lot more presure and more flow. Hope this makes some sence. Mike.

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[claymore]

This happened to us a month ago - the redoubtable Parahandy traced it to the anti-syphon device which apparently needs looking at occasionally - I thought they were just fit and forget!
it was taken off - given a blowthrough and worked fine straight away - I'm booked in for the same treatment!

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple>regards
Claymore<font color=purple>
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[mbl]

Thanks for all help

It turned out to be a 'lump' of seaweed that had clogged the through hull before reaching the sea water strainer. I used a straightened wire coat hanger to unplug it and then water started to pour thru the inlet again.

I took the oppurtunity to replace the impeller and gasket - also checked the impeller wasn't loose on the shaft.

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