Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > General Q & A
running boat without water for cooling?  How long? >

running boat without water for cooling? How long?

Notices

running boat without water for cooling? How long?

Old 05-16-2013, 07:46 PM
  #1  
Registered
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 5 Posts
Default running boat without water for cooling? How long?

How long can u run a sterndrive without water for cooling? I need to repair silent choice exhaust, but boat has not been in water yet this season, and is on trailer without access to a hose. All I need is to have it idle for a bout 15 seconds to test silent choice. Is that safe?
Ultraboy is offline  
Old 05-16-2013, 07:48 PM
  #2  
Registered
iTrader: (3)
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sandown, NH - Sebago Lake Region, ME
Posts: 2,960
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

The engine will be fine for 15 seconds but it might smoke the sea pump impeller! Especially if there is no water in the pump at all!
502ss is offline  
Old 05-16-2013, 08:08 PM
  #3  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: NW Indiana
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 1 Post
Default

fill a tupperware bin and drop the drive in it.
downforce137 is offline  
Old 05-16-2013, 08:22 PM
  #4  
Registered
iTrader: (4)
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Oneida Lake NY
Posts: 3,641
Received 29 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Why do you need to run it to repair? Make the repair and verify the flaps are closed by looking up the tail pipe with a light. But if you really feel the need to start, and your fuel pump IS NOT driven off the sea pump, just remove the belt to save your impeller and housing
4bus is offline  
Old 05-16-2013, 09:27 PM
  #5  
Registered
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Slidell, La.
Posts: 1,617
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by 4bus
Why do you need to run it to repair? Make the repair and verify the flaps are closed by looking up the tail pipe with a light.
+1 just did this last weekend when i found one my solenoids had come loose and was hanging.. bolted back down and after checked pipe with light.. had to adjust to fully close.

Simple system.. no need to fry your impellor..
nailit is offline  
Old 05-17-2013, 06:00 AM
  #6  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Baton Rouge, La
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I've read many times any run time on the impeller with no water equals busted impeller.
cp5899 is offline  
Old 05-17-2013, 09:33 AM
  #7  
Registered
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Wayland, MI
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by cp5899
I've read many times any run time on the impeller with no water equals busted impeller.
I can personally verify that is a true statement.
Old Navy is offline  
Old 05-17-2013, 09:41 AM
  #8  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,640
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

I used to run one of the blue Globe impellers, and those things were great. They used to claim that you could run those dry, and I believe them. That thing was run for years, frequently beached the boat in shallow water so I know I sucked up some sand and mud, and when I pulled it out, aside from taking a "set" on the blades, it looked perfect. I heard that they switched manufacturing plants at some point and were having problems with the hubs tearing out of them. I still have it, and if my stock Merc rubber one goes south, it might just go back in for more duty!
Budman II is offline  
Old 05-17-2013, 09:43 AM
  #9  
Registered
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by downforce137
fill a tupperware bin and drop the drive in it.
This.
Rebuilt a five horse for my dad.
Took a bucket full of water to the driveway and dropped the motor into it.
Test ran in it with water.

Doesn't take much. Sometimes just using what you have
aldrichg9 is offline  
Old 05-17-2013, 09:59 AM
  #10  
Registered
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Altermately, you can take the belt off the front of the motor if you're going to run it dry, then your impeller won't spin.. The serpentine belt is pretty easy to get on/off. just remember, you're running completely off the battery since your alternator will not be spinning either, so make sure you're charged up. Just did this yesterday on mine for diagnostics.
txtraveller2002 is offline  

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.