Help. My boat Overheated

D

dencarst

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
121
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Hull Identification Number
2723
Vessel Name
TUG OF MY HEART II
I took our boat out today after cleaning the sea water intake. Every thing look OK but I noticed the engine heat started
to increase and normally at 3600 rpm the temp is about 196 degree but today it went up to 210. I started home at that
time when I came to idle the temp shot up to 236 degrees. There is no water leaks and the coolant reservoir was full.
What might be the problem (I suspect it might be the sea water impeller). but I don't know.

Dennis
Tug of My Heart 11
R27
 
Dennis:

This may be too obvious and I've done it but did you open the seacock back up?

Jim
 
If this ever happens to you again to prevent possible engine damage- turn on your heater. This will lower the engine temperature, at least temporarily and allow you a little more time to get back to port or correct the problem.

If you left the seacock closed you might want to pull the impeller and inspect it. My own opinion is that it takes very little stress to damage the vanes if they are not in an optimum environment. Ask Andrew for further details.
 
Not having the raw water intake through valve open is a critical issue IMO. I'm sure it would not take much to have an electrical contact switch installed that provided a visible red light at the helm and/or even a siren alarm when the engine is started with this valve closed.

This is such a critical issue for me that I never ever close this valve unless I'm working on the engine (the impeller comes to mind). My technique is to locate my ignition key close to this valve such that whenever I want to start the engine I grab the key and check the valve's handle position. This hasn't failed yet... and yes, I do have a backup ignition key.

Has anyone thought of installing a contact switch for providing a clear indication that the valve is open ? I would think it would operate much like the auto's brake light operation.
 
The Sea cock was in open position, So that not problem.

Dennis
Tug of My Heart 11
 
Is this repeatable at idle when docked ?

If so, then I would certainly think about checking the raw water impeller. One quick check is to observe the wet exhaust with engine running to ensure water is being expelled, and if not, it's time to check/repair/replace the water impeller.

Is your engine a Yanmar or Volvo ?

How many engine hours are displayed ?
 
Unfortunately the amount of water that bubbles out of the exhaust is not something you notice until your impeller fails. Forevermore you will notice it, even though it is a very subjective perception. I recently went through this impeller failure and with your engine as hot as you say it got, you probably have broken impeller vanes in the cooling system. You need to pull your impeller. If your impeller has pieces missing you can recover the pieces without taking the engine apart. If this is the case, email me and I will send information on how this can be done.
 
Another thought is that may have sucked something (plastic) up against the bottom of the hull intake, therefore preventing water flow and possibly damaging the impeller.....this happened recently to a RT on the Cruise to Desolation Sound however once the obstruction was removed the temp went back down. Like others I'd still check out the impeller.

Jim F
 
Thanks for your comments.
The boat has a Yanmar 180 hp with 363. hours on it. I had bought a new impeller for it and was on planning to change on next service cycle.

Dennis
Tug of My Heart 11
 
Hi Again

I was lucky that I was less than 300 feet of my house and at idle when the heat shot up. I did have the heater on.
Thanks again for all your help on this problem.

Dennis
 
Usually when you have a problem on something you just serviced the first question is what did I do last that may have changed things. Is it possible something got lodged in the raw water intake. If it did you most likely damaged the impeller since it was running dry. So an inspection/replacement is in order, but first check to make sure water is coming in the thru hull.
 
It is very easy to check on water getting through the through hull to the strainer. Just try flushing the toilet or turning on the wash down pump.
 
You indicated that the [fresh] water reservoir was full. That's not a proper check for whether there is enough fresh water in the cooling system. You must remove the radiator style cap and check the water level. If you can't see in, merely stick your finger in - it should come up wet.
 
Hi

Thanks to everyone that gave me ideas as to what my problem was.
Its looks like the engine coolant was low and the reservoir showed full. (my mistake)
Now I can't find a replacement for Yanmar Ultralife YG30 anti freeze any suggestion.

Dennis
Tug of My Heart 11
 
Dennis: When we received our R-25 in late 2009 Ranger Tugs provided us with a spare 1 gallon jug of the coolant, and we still have some left as I've only had to top up our coolant tank once in 4 years, and even then it only required a small amount.

I did a quick web search and only came up with this for you...

http://shop.torresen.com/ships_store/?p=details&ident=382309

If you are in dire need for topping up the coolant tank then why not simply pour in some water until you can obtain the antifreeze. Weather in PNW will not reach freezing temps for quite some time IMO.

From the info in the Yanmar Operations Manual you aren't restricted to the Yanmar recommendation...

5.jpg
 
Yanmar buys this engine from BMW and adapts it to marine use, so you can use BMW antifreeze although it's a little pricey.
 
If you're REALLY desperate you could drive down to Kingston and I could boat over to Kingston from Edmonds to meet you and give you some of my spare coolant that Ranger Tugs was so kind to leave on my boat when we first bought it.
 
You can really use any extended life coolant. It needs to be extended life because it has additives and corrosion inhibitors. You may want to check your hose connections to make sure there are no leaks. I found that my heater hoses were leaking at the heater and a few others have had that problem as well.
 
Hi

I would like to thank all you tugnutter that help me with my problem of overheating.
It was my fault for not checking amount of coolant and it was low. I trusted the over flow reservoir which was full.
I was able to buy some Yanmar coolant from MER Equipment in Seattle.
We also went down and saw Serene Yacht the largest private yacht in the world 440 Ft long. Owned by a Russian 330 million dollars price tag and it cost 1.5 million to fuel it.


Thanks Again
Dennis
Tug of my Heart 11
 
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