Sorry folks, we were away all day packing up a house. So let's start with the AC water pump. This is a 1982 boat and the water pump looked like it was about the same vintage. One pump split between two AC units. Our control panels are knob style. No digital readout so, error codes, or alarms. There is also no switch that cycles the water pump with the compressor operation. The pump is hard wired in with the unit main power. Main switch on either unit means water pump on. I checked the breakers, cycled the units, and checked the wiring before isolating the pump and removing it. After removal (did I mention it was split between the two units using galvanized fitting) I tested the pump by wiring a plug on it and plugging into a shore outlet. Nothing. No run, no hum, no motor clicking, no nothing. As a disassembled the discharge tee and suction reducer, I'm amazed any water was flowing through the thing. It was clogged solid with what looked like rust particles. And yes I did check the sea strainer before disassembling the pump and it was clean (I had cleaned it about 4 days prior). So, long story short, my diagnosis is that the clogged impeller overheated the motor resulting in electrical failure. And if that isn't correct, it really doesn't matter because it still don't pump. New pump arrives tomorrow.
Now for the fuel fun. We had run the boat for about 2 and a half to 3 operating hours before pulling in for fuel. Decision to stop for fuel was mostly to practice docking and to top off from the previous few trips up and down the river. During the 2 to 3 hours of cruising, I ran the engines from idle to WOT several times. Pushing the boat and testing things. No issues (other than it still doesn't get to rated top speed but that a future troubleshooting thread
). Anyhow, engines ran great all day.
At fuel dock, verified sign on pump read 100% gasoline, so unless the sign lies, I'm figuring it is supposed to be ethanol free gas. As previously stated, this is an un-manned pay at the pump fuel station. Got it all set up and pumped about 43 gallons per the meter (2 times 21.4 gallons because that equaled the max credit card payment of $75, yep do the math on that per gallon price
). Put everything back, cranked up engines, cast off lines, and idled out of the slip back to the river channel. Was just setting in to wait for the next bridge opening to pass back upriver and every engine on the boat (two mains and the gen set) shutdown within seconds of each other. Tried re-start a couple of time with no success. Dropped anchor.
Opened all the hatches and got down in engine room to see what was what. Pulled the port engine fuel filter (canister with filter inside) and dumped the liquid in it into a clean metal container. No signs of separated liquid. It was all homogenous. So either all fuel or all water. Poured half a bottle of water into the container. Still no separation layer. So, conclusion was the filter housing was 100% water. Same condition on other engines. Not having the equipment on board yet to drain who know how much water, called boat US (best $165 dollars spent to date on the boat).
Contacted marina where fuel dock is first thing in the morning and left message. Called back an hour later and got a person who confirmed that they got my message and where checking their tanks and pumps. About an hour and a half later got a return call that their tanks all tested clean and dry. And they have pictures of the tape to prove it. Told them I appreciated their thoroughness
and that despite their assurances I would still be disputing the credit card charges for the fuel until my mechanic had done a complete de-inventory of my fuel system and could give me an accounting of water quantity. Then if indeed it was a complete coincidence around the timing of this event, I would be happy to say so and remit payment. If on the other hand significant quantity of water is discovered for which no other plausible source can be located then they should expect a bill instead.
In the grand scheme of boating adventures, especially birthday boating adventures, I would say this day was a pretty full and adventurous one.