Rough day on the river SAT

Decided to do trial runs for 2007 on the MN river.

Did pre-checks prior to leaving every thing seemed to be in order. I packed up my son, a lunch and the fishing gear.

Went down the the 77 launch. Brought a shovel to clear mud, was really excited to get out and see how the boat mods went and get on some open water.

Get to the launch every thing was going smooth. Got the boat in the water went up stream a ways checking to make sure everything was working good, then turned and started heading down stream to some favorite fishing spots.

That when thing started going south, as we were going. I started loosing power, my mind is working, what could it be… check fuel, then I do a double take to make sure the water pump is squirting and I see no stream. oohhhhhh (I did have one earlier). I cut the motor and realize that the current is cranking 5-7 miles per hour per GPS. So I fire the motor back up to get us into shore.

Run her up into the mud and take stock. Were about 1/3-1/2 mile down stream from the launch. Take the cover off can see that things are a little toasty.

Decide that can’t run the motor for a long time, so I push off from shore and try to see what the trolling motor can do. Move upstream about 100-150yds. Its going slow but okay, just need to make sure to stay really close to shore and keep the bow strait into the current.

After a bit, I decide that we got lunch and plenty of daylight might as well stop and try to wet a line and let the motor cool. The trolling motor would have taken us for ever and it wasn’t easy to control in the current.

So we dropped anchor and threw a line out. Had some food and tried to catch some cats. I think I had a couple bites. But was a little distracted with the whole situation while trying to put on a happy face with my son. LOL

Gave it 2 hours let the motor cool and then fired it up and made a quick dash back to the launch. The water pump did start peeing on the way back. But it took some time to get going and was not a strong stream by any means. (and the water was HOT)

I hope I didn’t permanently damage the motor. I’m gonna get a new pump and replace tomorrow and test out.

If any one has had any similar experiences. Let me know. I’m curious about any things I should keep an eye out for after this.

Dave Scott gave some good recommendations to start. I’m interested to hear anything thing that you might be willing to share.

On the bright side. It was a great day. Rory had a blast. I think I had a bite or two. And we made it home safe.

Did you try poking something into the end of the outlet. Sometimes it gets clogged and a quick cleaning with a wire cleans it out.

Larry, if the impellar hasn’t been changed in the past couple of years, you should do it regardless.

Sorry to hear about your problems

Quote:

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Larry, if the impellar hasn’t been changed in the past couple of years, you should do it regardless.

Sorry to hear about your problems

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I concur! I think I did it at the beginning of last year. IF not is was the year before.
Its getting done this morning as soon as Hannays opens up.

Thanks for the tip mike. Seeing water coming out at times led me to think that it wasn’t plugged but it is on the list to be checked.

Im shooting to get it out today if I can.

A similiar situation happened to me last year. I was running in weeds and several small pieces were sucked in and caused a thermostat to hang up. Pull your stats and check them, it doesn’t take much to foul them, a piece of weed,grains of sand, etc. Good luck to ya

We get crap sucked into the motor on our pontoon regularily (I think it has something to do with the family of muskrats that won’t leave it alone). It’s gross, but I usually can get a mouthful of water and blow it through the hole where the stream comes out. I plan on sticking one of those air canisters for cleaning electronics onboard this summer to blow it out with.

Anyhow, worth a shot.

Update,
Got the lower unit off and pulled the pump. The impeller is trashed. two fins remaining. the rest are parts and chucks.
Off to get the replacement.
If I can make a recommendation to all boaters. Make double sure you got a good SOLID stream coming out of your motor. IF IT DOESNT LOOK RIGHT CHECK IT OUT.

Here is a thread that Jon Jordan put together. Probably one of the best HOW TO on boat maint. here on IDA.
Jon thanks again this is the 2nd time I’ve used it and probably will start it on an annual basis.

Jon Jordans water pump replacement thread

I’ll post a pick later

Sorry to hear about your day Larry. At least you didn’t run into a barge like the guy and his dog did. Or should I say, the barge ran into him. They had a good tip, test your boat on a lake first. Hopefully it is smooth sailing the rest of the year, so to speak, after you fix her up. At least Rory had fun.

Had the same thing happen to me on Saturday too, except I sucked up some sand and clogged the water pump. She was blowing steam out of the tell tale when I shut it down. Had to get a tow back to the ramp. I cleaned the sand out of the water pump and it seems fine now, but I think I’ll go back and replace it anyways for peace of mind. Just because water is coming out of the tell tale does not mean it is circulating properly through the head. I will need to check that too beacuse the engine felt pretty hot. I may have to look under the exhaust cover… I don’t know yet.

Final update.
Replaced the water pump. Just an FYI follow JJ recommendation on having a second set of hands. I’ve done it twice now by myself. (I don’t have patience to wait for assistance)
Its a bear.
Anyway, filled up the can and tested her out. An a great water stream all systems look normal so its off to try again.
Tim, you got the right idea on replacing the pump. Peace of mind is worth alot. Also once you toast the impeller it gets brittle and you don’t want to risk a failur.
Here is a pic of the old one vs. the new. Sorry the pick isnt the best. only 2 of the fins were completely in tack the rest were ripped of in some form or another.

heres another not very good pic.