Mud in my cooling system

[noclams]

I got caught at low tide last week. When my engine started overheating I shut her down to find the strainer packed with mud. I got into the water to check my intake and I noticed the flap on the exhaust was sealed shut. I pulled it open and water rushed in and made a lot of noise - oops.

I towed it home, then replaced the impeller (it was trashed), flushed the exhaust manifolds, replaced the thermostat, and flushed the block. I ran it after this and the temp looked great. Then I idled over to my trailer and noticed the temp starting to sky rocket.

So I shut her down and changed the oil and transmission fluid. I also rechecked the impeller - it was fine.

Temp looks good connected to my garden hose but water doesn't seem to woosh out at intervals anymore. It just pours out of the exhaust pipe steadily. I'm thinking about another test drive -but am I forgetting anything? Should I worry about the transmission cooler?

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Mud in my cooling system

I would check the trans cooler first, then test again. There are baffles in them. If it seems good, then keep an eye on it. If it is still bad you are going to have to keep going through the system. Report back after checking the trans cooler.

[noclams]

RE: Mud in my cooling system

How do I check the trans cooler? Should I just disconnect the water hoses and look inside. Should I back flush it? I've never messed with it...

[noclams]

RE: Mud in my cooling system

I removed the water lines connected to the transmission cooler and looked inside. Things looked pretty good. I did remove a small piece of plastic (impeller blade?) on the intake side. I poured water through it and it seemed to run freely. I stuck my finger in the exhaust side and it felt good but I noticed that the hose flange was bent. In fact, after I put the hoses back on water sprayed out of this area. I bent the flange with pliers and tightened the clamp above the dent and things seem to be working.

I hooked the boat to the hose, ran it in my driveway for a 5-10 min's and everything looks fine. I also checked the strainer o-ring. It looked good and has no leaks (when running in my driveway). Unless anybody thinks otherwise, my next step is to throw her in the water, check the new transmission fluid level and test for overheating.....

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Mud in my cooling system

SOunds like you may be ok, but keep an close eye on it for a while.

[mndanielsncsu]

RE: Mud in my cooling system

If the impeller you replaced was trashed, are you sure that you got all of the old pieces out of the lines? I was having a similar problem last year with overheating and determined that my old, shredded impeller had spit pieces of rubber all throughout my system. I ended up finding that the majority of them had fallen back into the intake hose for the RWP. Once I cleared that line, the temp was dead on.

[noclams]

RE: Mud in my cooling system

I took her out for a test drive today and she ran perfect. The temp was great!

Now if I could only figure out how to see red transmission fluid on my black dipstick! Maybe if I hold the dipstick on a white paper towel.....

If it's not one thing it's 3 or 4 others!