The importance of Smartcraft/water pressure gauge

[TritonTRXV8]

I used to always talk about the importance of monitoring water pressure on here since alot of boats on this forum do not come factory with one. My new boat has 20 hrs on it and have always not liked how low the water pressure was and finally wed when i had it out it dipped wayyy low .5-1.2 psi at idle. I knew i had to take a look so pulled the case and took the water pump housing off and this is how i found the impeller. Brand new motor just goes to show you never know. Telltale stream was always steady. Without my smartcraft instrument i would of never known until the motor overheated and left me stranded.

455D1864-7456-4F9E-8A3B-A48C83ECC35C.jpeg

[NORRIS CRAFT 1]

I saw your original post yesterday Roy. You caught something that could have cost you a motor. You have been boating for a long time & you knew something was wrong. Good for you.

[Transom]

Dang that looks bad. What do you think happened? Do you think the dealer ran it without getting water to it or something?

[TritonTRXV8]

Service manager did a quick dry start and shut down and i dont think it did it any favors. I was not happy about it at all. Dealer i dealt with is praised by so many around here i couldnt wait to get the boat and get the hell out of there. Was not happy how alot of things went but what can you do only place that sells nicer glass rigs around me and theg still 3.5 hrs away not much choice. Its amazing how doing something youre not supposed to on a motor has ill effects.

[Bill Reynolds]

Service manager did a quick dry start and shut down and i dont think it did it any favors. I was not happy about it at all.

I learned this the hard way. Back in the early 70’s I had an aluminum bass boat with a 40 HP Mercury. Before every trip, I would start the motor in the driveway to be sure it would start. My thought was it did not run long enough to build up heat but I did not not think about the effect on the rubber impeller. I also did not pay attention to the warning signs that the cooling stream was weakening over time and ended up burning a hole in the head combustion chamber on the top cylinder.
Hard Lesson that I will never forget.

[TritonTRXV8]

I think that used to be a common practice. I still see guys do it and makes me cringe lol. Luckily my engine never got hot temps were always normal another reason smartcraft is great but as the weather warms up im sure that would of changed.

[justsomeguy]

Wow, wonder what they would have told you if it actually overheated on you, if thewy would have owned up.

[TritonTRXV8]

Wow, wonder what they would have told you if it actually overheated on you, if thewy would have owned up.

I highly doubt it. Havnt dealt with too many shops around here that will ever admit to being wrong.

[Highcentered]

Do you think the dry start was enough to cause that or do you think the impeller was bad before it ever got put in the motor?

[TritonTRXV8]

I cant say for certain but i would think thats the cause ive installed serveral of these over the years and never seen one like that but theres a first for everything lol.

[msupc]

I used to always talk about the importance of monitoring water pressure on here since alot of boats on this forum do not come factory with one. My new boat has 20 hrs on it and have always not liked how low the water pressure was and finally wed when i had it out it dipped wayyy low .5-1.2 psi at idle. I knew i had to take a look so pulled the case and took the water pump housing off and this is how i found the impeller. Brand new motor just goes to show you never know. Telltale stream was always steady. Without my smartcraft instrument i would of never known until the motor overheated and left me stranded.

455D1864-7456-4F9E-8A3B-A48C83ECC35C.jpeg

Wow! Well this answers my question in my other post. It looks like I will be purchasing Mercury's Vessel View Mobile to ensure I don't grenade my engine. Glad you caught yours.

[TritonTRXV8]

Wow! Well this answers my question in my other post. It looks like I will be purchasing Mercury's Vessel View Mobile to ensure I don't grenade my engine. Glad you caught yours.

From your other post telltale stream is generally not a sign of good water pump health. Yes it needs to be good and shows things are working but pressure can be low and also at speed its tough to look back and see. You will like having vesselview.

[Panama]

Good catch. Smart. With the shape it is in, I bet it was run more than that out of water.

The Yamaha equiv to the Merc is so expensive that I just added a water pressure gauge. It is not a nice but so far I like it and really like just being able to look at the dash and see water pressure. I know the smartcraft is better but YAMAHA is plenty proud of their add ins., if I was ordering new though, I would add it to the purchase order.

[basshole51]

I added vessel view mobile to my Dads Ranger with 90 Horsepower 2016 Merc four stroke.....but the vessel view will not pickup water pressure...its just says 0.0 for some reason......I can at least keep an eye on the engine coolant temps now though.

[TritonTRXV8]

I added vessel view mobile to my Dads Ranger with 90 Horsepower 2016 Merc four stroke.....but the vessel view will not pickup water pressure...its just says 0.0 for some reason......I can at least keep an eye on the engine coolant temps now though.

To get water pressure you have to install a digital water pressure sensor on these 4 stroke motors. Its easy to install only takes a couple min the harness is already there. You can get the sensor from your merc dealer.

[basshole51]

To get water pressure you have to install a digital water pressure sensor on these 4 stroke motors. Its easy to install only takes a couple min the harness is already there. You can get the sensor from your merc dealer.

WILL DO! Thanks!