low flow in Engine sea water strainer

C

coreychamness

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 30, 2013
Messages
216
Fluid Motion Model
C-302 SC
Vessel Name
Tugs 'n Kisses
MMSI Number
338175171
My bowl fills when stopped. When running at idle the bowl gets an air bubble. Above 1250 or so RPM the bowl empties and flow can't keep up with the demand. Engine temp rises high. I suspect partial blockage of intake - sea strainer mesh is clear. Is there any way to clear without diving or hauling boat out? what does the through hull have on it - if anything? Could I use a plumbing snake? There was a LOT of leaves in the Potomac River when I was out yesterday.

Corey
 
You may want to check the hose between the seacock and the strainer first. If you can remove the hose from the seacock and then open the sea cock and see what the flow is like. If it's good then you know it's in the hose. If not then you need to unclog the pick-up on the bottom of the boat
 
If the boat sits in salt (or even worse, brackish) water, through hulls are a favorite place for marine growth to set up house. If that's the case either a dive or hauling the boat will likely be needed to remove them. It's not likely leaves or other flotsam as that will typically make its way into the strainer. After all that is the strainer's job 🙂
 
Corey:
From how you described your problem leads me to think that you may have an air leak into your raw water system. The faster the engine runs the less water in your bowl. If the bowl empties then it must have air replacing it. Where else could it come from? Because I don't know the elevation of the sea water strainer in your boat compared to sea level I have to assume that when you shut the engine down and water flows back into the bowl (water seeking its own level ,The manometer effect,) the air that was in the bowl may now be going back out the same leak that it may have come in. Other tugs in the past have had trouble getting the cap on the sea strainer to seal. If you have a flushing "T" on you raw water system ,make sure the cap is tight and has not lost its washer or seal. Of course check all hose clamps.
If you find that you also have a plugged inlet, the raw water pump is pulling a large vacuum and may be pulling air from other sources that normally don't leak.
I have heard of people burning up exauste hoses from lack of water flow as well as pump and engine damage.
Hope this helps.
Let us know what you find out.
Don
 
I agree there must be somewhat of a leak in the system to provide the ability for air to be introduced. Not sure where it is coming from. I was about to purchase the condensate drain air gun when I noticed I could rent one at the local tool rental place. I think I will try that avenue.

Corey
 
Check your hose from strainer to pick up for blockage. How smooth does the sea cock operate when you open and close it? Any grinding resistance is indicative of crustacean growth. Here in Florida the oysters love to make a home inside of the pickup.
 
Today I rented a device from the local tool rental place called a Kinetic Water Ram. It is essentially the industrial version of the condensate drain clearer mentioned earlier. It uses compressed air to fire a burst through a fitted stopper. I gave a burst that seemed to clear it then did a couple more for good measure. I had much improved flow into the strainer. I started engine and it now operates at the governed max of 1500 rpm at i"throttle only" at the dock with full flow. Problem appears to be solved. Tool rental was $10.
 
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