Raw water cooling

[CraigH]

This is my first spring with my 2003 216. I have had two previous direct drives over the last 12+ years and was going through my spring start-up and cleaning procedures over the weekend. I have typically used the "plunger" to start with a garden hose, but I dont seem to be getting cooling water completely through the system. I am getting water up into the strainer and I opened up the water pump and hand wheeled the impeller but I dont think there is water moving downstream and into the exhaust manifolds. The temp guage never moves (obvious potential problem with the gauge) and I never got any water coming out the exhaust. Once things started to get hot with the manifolds and the local hoses, I got nervous and shut it down each time.

It ran fine last summer fall and the winterizing went smoothly with no issues draining and putting anti-freeze in. My confusion is that in my mind the impeller must be creating suction to get water straight up the intake line and into the strainer but there seems to be something preventing complete flow through the system. I know many dont like the plunger and use the in-line connection, but could that be enough to be a problem? I never had any issues with the plunger with my previous Nautique and Hydrodyne.

Thanks

[ClemsonDave]

RE: Raw water cooling

Was there still water/antifreeze in the system? If there is zero in there, it may take more than just idle for it to create enough suction. I had this happen on an older boat one time. Started it on the trailer and almost no water came through. Took it for a quick spin and it started working. All this assuming your impeller is in good shape and there are no leaks anywhere else.

If you think it is the plunger, just remove the raw water hose and stick the garden hose directly in it.