Fished Thursday and Friday getting ready for a tournament. The temperature was above freezing both days. Saturday morning the temp was around 22 degrees. I was idling wating to blast off and noticed my water pump was not working. The motor was not peeing and nothing was registering on my guage. Could something have frozen? I stored it during the night with the motor down. My concern is that I idled for about 10 minutes before I noticed it. My impeller is probably fried.
Very difficult to say.... the best way to "know for sure" would be to have the engine placed on the "Computer Diagnostic System" so that the "Freeze Frame (Fault) History" can be read. Any occurances of "low water pressure" or "engine overheat" should be recorded, along with pertinent data to assist in further identification of the problem.
Be sure to request a printout for future reference (I'd be more than happy to take a look at a printout for you).
Dual Mercury Master Technician- for Mercury Outboards, Mercruiser and Mercury Racing at European Marine in Greenville, SC.
Still consider myself a "Marine Apprentice" after 48 years (learn something new every day).
Mercury Parts, Mercury Outboards, Smartcraft & Accessories, Injector Service, TDR Reeds- BBC Sponsor
Thanks Don, do you think I should go ahead and just replace the impeller. The boat has been run for about 150-160 hours. I wonder what would happen if I put it in the water during warmer conditions to see if it would work. Would that be risky?
If it's been more than 1 year, or 100 hours (whichever occurs first).... I would recommend simply replacing the water pump, then recheck to see where you're at.
Dual Mercury Master Technician- for Mercury Outboards, Mercruiser and Mercury Racing at European Marine in Greenville, SC.
Still consider myself a "Marine Apprentice" after 48 years (learn something new every day).
Mercury Parts, Mercury Outboards, Smartcraft & Accessories, Injector Service, TDR Reeds- BBC Sponsor
Thanks Don, I really appreciate your help.
Don, the mechanic said that the water pump was working but the line had frozen, so I was alright. I guess I could have gone ahead and fished. This makes me want a Smartcraft. I am saving my money and will order one from you soon, I hope. I have never had such a freeze up occur and have fished in weather that cold many times. What was the difference? I was at a hotel and had the boat covered but the motor was exposed to the harsh north wind. This got me to thinking since I do a lot of fishing in winter. Why not fashion a motor cover out of an electric blanket and put it around the motor and plug it in when I plug in my charger? It would keep this from happening the next time. What do you think?
One of our BBC members proposed a good idea a couple of years back for "cold weather protection" on Speedometer or Water Pressure gauge.
His idea was to place a "tee" in the line behind the gauge, and run a piece of line down under the dash from the "spare" nipple on the tee.
Then plug this spare line with a "golf tee" when in use.... remove the golf "tee" when not in use (you could even blow backwards through the line to force the water out before it froze).
Pretty slick idea....
Of course, Smartcraft is pretty slick too....
Dual Mercury Master Technician- for Mercury Outboards, Mercruiser and Mercury Racing at European Marine in Greenville, SC.
Still consider myself a "Marine Apprentice" after 48 years (learn something new every day).
Mercury Parts, Mercury Outboards, Smartcraft & Accessories, Injector Service, TDR Reeds- BBC Sponsor
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