Intermittent Water Pressure Issue on 225 Pro XS

[cj68]

The other day I noticed lower than normal water pressure (but still in spec) when I took off first thing in the am and then the alarm went off. I shut it down and checked the lower unit for any blockage and found nothing noticeable. I then started back up, put the motor in reverse to clear any crap around the prop and then got back on plane. The motor then ran as described below.

I noticed throughout the day and also yesterday when I was out, that my water pressure is at 5000 - 6000(wot) rpms and would fluctuate between 12 and 20 lbs on my analog guage (with no change in trim). Prior to the lost water pressure incident 2 days ago, I would run 25 - 30+ lbs at 5000 - 6000 rpms.

I know that it is still within spec, but what concerns me is the drop in ram effect and the bouncing water pressure. The motor is a 2008, but I bought it brand new in Nov of 2010, so this is the first season of use. We also had a lot of debris in the water this spring.

Is the bouncing water pressure indicitive of an impeller issue, or poppet valve/thermostat. Also, there is a good tell tale stream. I just need to know where to look first given the symptoms.

Thanks,

Chris

[Crider]

My motor done the same thing and a water pump fixed it. When mine first done it I also thought I just picked up some trash as the water pressure returned to normal after just a few minutes. It done it again a couple days later so I changed the water pump and it hasnt done it since.

[EuropeanAM]

ANYTIME you're chasing cooling system and/or water pressure probems- ALWAYS, ALWAYS start at the SOURCE: The Water Pump.

Make CERTAIN that you remove the impeller plate, gasket BELOW impeller plate, and the shift/shaft bushing (as well as any plate below it) so that you can inspect the passages for the LOW WATER PICKUPS for any debris that might be trapped in them.

WOOD in this area is ESPECIALLY TROUBLESOME... it can float around intermittently plugging the low water intake passages, and causing irratic changes in water pressure.

[cj68]

Thanks Don. That's what I figured, but I wanted to make sure that I was starting in the right place given they symptoms. I will be putting in a new impeller this weekend.

[bassinvol]

I had an issue a little like this and found that I had pinched the line from the motor in the back cowl latch...

[Brad21X2]

my 225 Pro XS does something similar , I have higher pressure readings (20-30 psi) but no tale stream ??? could the tubing be clogged or something worse...

[Bullet21xdc250]

Brad, You need to take the hood off and take the tale tale hose off the fitting and see whats in there...The tell tale is the cooling water exit from the air compressor...a blockage here wil cause the air compressor to overheat.

Carson

[Brad21X2]

thanks Carson I'll give that a try .

[EuropeanAM]

Any updates on progress for this one yet?

[Brad21X2]

removed the tube and found what looked like an ant farm, cleaned out all mud and trash from hose, reinstalled ran test and had a tale stream. Thanks guys for all the help.