525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Ok, Here's the issue. This is the first boat I've had w/ Sportmasters (& ITS / 525 EFI's).

When I launch the boat at the ramp, the motors won't catch prime (no water flow thru sea strainers) - resulting in two shredded impellars, which have been replaced (whole kit, not just impellars) and back-flushed. Since then, still is doing the same thing. I have to give the engines throttle in order to catch prime (which causes fouling of the plugs - not supposed to give throttle when engines are cold etc... as per the Merc. manuel - I've now found is unfortunatly true).

In advance.... Yes, we are backing the boat more than deep enough, making sure the drives are submerged.

Anyone experienced this and, if so, what did you do to solve the issue? :confused: :confused:

Joe

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

This may be a supid question, but have you checked the freshwater flush valves?

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

are they mounted to high? just a thought.

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

sea strainer location and plumbing

hope they are not filling from the bottom up??

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Arr..Arr.. Arr... Yep! As I mentioned, it will catch prime when given throttle. It's funny this was the first reply. I almost typed that in! Thanks for the quick thought and response.

One of my buddies did that on his 47 and then proceeded to sweat his @ss off for the next two hours (in 90+ degree temp) replacing all three impellars on the ramp! ...remember that, Scott!!!! :evilb:

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Might be... Good thought. The ramp is fairly steep. It's a LipShip, so I'd have to wonder (but it sure makes sense).

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

I had same problem with just starboard side and replaced impeller still have same problem boat kept on lift ten feet of water and no problem with port side have to rev to 1000 to get it to pick up same engine set up on 05 38 top gun

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Hmmm.... Strange? Keep me posted and I'll do the same.

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Are you using a "wire reinforced hose" from the sea strainer to the impellar pump ??? If not a dry hose will collapse very easy from the suction of the pump.

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Yep... I'm not real technical, but, it's the "stock" set-up from LipShip (the thick/fat black hose - appx. 2" in diameter).

...by the way, Nice avatar/boat! Do you know Bruce Bullock? He's a friend of mine.

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Just spoke w/ Phil L. - his comment was "air leak"

Which makes complete sense. We're running the traps now.

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

"his comment was "air leak""....no way, the system is under pressure that exceeds the pressure that surrounds the system(atmospheric) and would result in leaking water....

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

i take some of that back...water in that system has to present for the above statement to be correct...there could be an air leak not allowing the system to prime.

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Its already been said ,,, but,,,, check the lids on your sea straingers and check the freshwater flush caps!! The pumps are sucking air!

RHC

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

there is one other thing that would cause this but first need to to know new boat? used boat? fresh water? salt water? how many hours?

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Ok... I'll bite:
2003
both, primarily salt
250

(Rod- are you pulling my chain on this one? Sounds like I'm about to be a butt of a good ol' perf. marine joke! Even if I am, thanks anyway for the help on the headers last year!) :eek:

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

ok, what ive seen quite often when the pums wont prime what you want to check is on the inside of the boat where the intake hose comes through tend to get corrosion that will constrict the intake hose, pull the hose off (at the transom inside) then remove the two bolts that keep the adaptor inplace what happens is the corrosion builds up and squeezes the hose check it have seen it abut 30 times in salt or brackish water !!!!!!! im pretty sure this is your problem if so let me know and ill tell you how to correct it !

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Sorry for the delayed reply... I must have missed this. Are you fouling plugs re: having to give throttle when engine is cold? Any solutions?

The anodyzing (sp?) is chipping, so, rather than fool around w/ refinishing, I'm just buying new ones. I'll let everyone know if it works (got delayed on another project....).

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

I've found that when this happens it's a peice of impeller stuck in the cooler somewere. Backflushing doesn't always get it out.

Other than that - air leak somewhere.

Come down to the San Jac and we'll figure it out!

bring beer ....

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Try this, trim up the drives and inspect the hoses that go from the bell to the transom plate. When the hose is installed in the bell there is a plastic grommet that threads into it from the stern of the boat. When the grommet in threaded in, sometimes the hose gets a twist in it, and with the suction of the Sw pumps pulls it Partially closed. The hose needs to be held in position while threading in the grommet. Smitty

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Who is this and what boat do you have? (post a pic). We don't get up there much. We usually head S. to Galv. PM me w/ your phone #.

Re: 525 EFI's / SPORTMASTERS / ITS HELP, PLEASE!
 

Thanks, Smitty. Good feedback. We'll give it a try and I'll post the results.