RickyD
Guru
- Joined
- May 4, 2018
- Messages
- 732
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Aquarius
- Vessel Make
- Californian 55 CPMY
Wow, what a week. First I have been having problems with my port alternator putting out 10 or 11 amps depending on which gauge I'm looking at. So I replaced it. No change. What?? Also, my port engine stop solenoid activates when I turn the port key on. So my electrician says I probably need a new Fireboy control box. He asserts that a bad diode in the box activates the system and tries to stop the port engine as if there was a fire in the engine room. Then, perhaps the low volt reading is an artifact of this. By the way, I have a Fireboy box for the port engine and for the Starboard engine. To start the port engine I must activate the Fireboy bypass switch, start the starboard engine, then I can start the port.
Ok, while I am waiting for the control box to be installed I decided to add some fuel to the tanks. I used the above work around, started the engines, and left the dock for a longish ride. After ramping up the engines to reach my happy place 10 knots I took a glance at my gauges and the starboard temp gauge was hitting 220 and rising. I ran back to the stern and saw no water coming out. This is my first run after rebuilding both water pumps. I quickly took a look in the engine room--nothing odd there. I dropped the throttles down to idle and went to the stern. Plenty of nice cold water coming out. I got the laser temp tester and started shooting all over the engine and found no temp out of the ordinary. I ramped the rpms up again, went to the stern and no water. yiikes!!! I dropped it again to idle and then had plenty of water. Cruised to the fuel stop at idle speed. Temp gauge still over 200. After filling up and leaving the dock I limped home on the port engine alone. So, today I looked at the impeller and it was fine. I pulled out the sea strainer and it was clean enough. Started the stb engine at the dock and there was water out the exhaust. I brought RPMs to 900 no prob. 1200 no prob, 1500 no problem. I let the temp run up to 185. Took the temp gun to the engine room and shot all over, no over temp problems. Hey wait. I'm looking at the down helm gauges, so I go up to the fly bridge and yep that gauge reads 235F. Ok that sort of explains my problem. But what about not seeing water coming out of the exhaust at least twice while underway and suspecting an over temp issue? I know the muffler will occasionally burp but the only two times I look its holding water?
Ok then also out of the blue my Chartplotter says I'm heading 165 when I'm heading 140. My boat image is moving with me but I'm not heading into the breakwater like the GPS is showing me. Maybe all these things are linked.
Ok, while I am waiting for the control box to be installed I decided to add some fuel to the tanks. I used the above work around, started the engines, and left the dock for a longish ride. After ramping up the engines to reach my happy place 10 knots I took a glance at my gauges and the starboard temp gauge was hitting 220 and rising. I ran back to the stern and saw no water coming out. This is my first run after rebuilding both water pumps. I quickly took a look in the engine room--nothing odd there. I dropped the throttles down to idle and went to the stern. Plenty of nice cold water coming out. I got the laser temp tester and started shooting all over the engine and found no temp out of the ordinary. I ramped the rpms up again, went to the stern and no water. yiikes!!! I dropped it again to idle and then had plenty of water. Cruised to the fuel stop at idle speed. Temp gauge still over 200. After filling up and leaving the dock I limped home on the port engine alone. So, today I looked at the impeller and it was fine. I pulled out the sea strainer and it was clean enough. Started the stb engine at the dock and there was water out the exhaust. I brought RPMs to 900 no prob. 1200 no prob, 1500 no problem. I let the temp run up to 185. Took the temp gun to the engine room and shot all over, no over temp problems. Hey wait. I'm looking at the down helm gauges, so I go up to the fly bridge and yep that gauge reads 235F. Ok that sort of explains my problem. But what about not seeing water coming out of the exhaust at least twice while underway and suspecting an over temp issue? I know the muffler will occasionally burp but the only two times I look its holding water?
Ok then also out of the blue my Chartplotter says I'm heading 165 when I'm heading 140. My boat image is moving with me but I'm not heading into the breakwater like the GPS is showing me. Maybe all these things are linked.