I came across some very shallow water in the channel leaving the Lynnhaven basin going the alternate route to Long Creek on Sunday. I think I sucked sand in for a second. The overheat alarm went off after about 10 minutes while I was drifitng for flounder. Now tonight I went to the 1st Island and as I was idling casting to the rocks the alarm went off on two separate occassions. Not sure what to do and would like to avoid dropping valuable gas money at Norfolk Marine unless I really have to. Thank you in advance for any tips.
Yamaha Help
- Thread starter Bust it Big
- Start date
I am no expert but I had a Johnson 175 V6 that I sucked sand into in Beaufort SC. the alarm would sound at low speeds but is was fine at higher rpm's. I took it to the shop and the cooling "tubes, channels" or whatever they were called were not allowing the water to flow properly. After they cleaned them out, no more alarm. I honestly could not swear it was the sand or old age and lack of proper maintenance. I bought the rig very used.
I was wondering, if you hooked up the hose to the flushing adapter and let it run, would that clean it out?
I was wondering, if you hooked up the hose to the flushing adapter and let it run, would that clean it out?
Capt Bill
GreatGrady Captain
The poppet valve may be clogged. It's fairly easy to remove, clean and reinstall. That would cause the symptoms you describe. Just be sure to watch how it is installed. It is spring-loaded, so remove it carefully. Also, a new one is not expensive, in case you go that route. Should take you 20 minutes or so to do the job. But you'll have to haul the boat out to work on it.
But also be aware that "pumping sand", even for a very short period, can rapidly degrade the vanes on the pump impeller. This would give the symptom you now have, of insufficient cooling flow at low speed and sufficient at higher RPM. If it is the vanes, it will not get better, and will likely get worse.
You don't indicate how many hours since the pump was last changed, but it is recommended every couple of years, and more often if you use the engine in "sandy" water.
So, while your reluctance to have the lower unit dropped is very understandable, I would consider the pump reliability to now be questionable. JMHO.
Brian
You don't indicate how many hours since the pump was last changed, but it is recommended every couple of years, and more often if you use the engine in "sandy" water.
So, while your reluctance to have the lower unit dropped is very understandable, I would consider the pump reliability to now be questionable. JMHO.
Brian
Instead of Norfolk Marine try Dolphin Marina @ Taylors Landing Marina at Little Creek they are Yami certified and have treated me good so far. They are bound to be cheaper than Norfolk Marine. There # 757 200 2628.
These outboards are big buck items, overheating is not good.
Seems to me to be worth paying yamaha certfied mechanic to give you a diagnosis. Mention the sand incident.
Then you will now for sure.
If new water pump is needed, so be it. Get it done.
Seems to me to be worth paying yamaha certfied mechanic to give you a diagnosis. Mention the sand incident.
Then you will now for sure.
If new water pump is needed, so be it. Get it done.
Thank you everyone for your advise. I figured being cheap or thrifty with an outboard will only cost me in the long run. I wish I saw the message for the mechanic at Taylors Landing before I drove it over to Norfolk Marine. It is in water and don't have trailer so options are limited or would have taken to Chris Hale at Shore Drive marine who has taken care of my other boats over the years. I will let you know what the mechanic says. Thanks again.