Strainer bummer

[waybomb]

Discovered my boat doesn't have engine strainers. The genny does. The ac does.
How did I find out? Access to the slips in front of my condo from the north is shoaled in. Was going very slow but grounded it in sand. Was able to back out. Marina owner was with me as a second hand if needed.
Headed back to put it one of his slips. Starboard engine started getting warm. Had water flow out the exhaust, but temp got up to about 175 after about 10 minutes of heading back up the river. Revved the engine a few times but didn't clear it. Shut the engine down and came in on one.
Yesterday went to the boat to clean out the strainers. All my boats have strainers, right? Nope.
So now I'll be removing the thermostat and block drains in an effort to clear sand. Then replace the impeller. Then install proper strainers on both engines.
Never a dull moment.

[bud37]

Maybe ya just destroyed or severely damaged the impeller in the raw water pump....back flush anyway but just a thought.

[waybomb]

Yup, I'm pretty sure both impellers will need replacement. I have one set always on the boat and another at home asking with the wedge pieces so i won't have to wait for parts

[mjk1040]

Some boat engines did not have strainers on them, if you are going to install strainers make sure the size and flow rate is attiquit for your application,

[waybomb]

Took starboard pump off. Sand packed in the outlet holes. Impeller was fine. Housing and wedge fine. Cleaned it up. Replaced impeller. Replaced hose to oil cooler. No sand in cooler. Took cover off of thermostat. It's fine. Very little sand came from either side of engine. All good.
I'll mess with the other side tomorrow.

[paulr]

Strainers? I had a 34' Luhrs with twin Marine Power gas, 454 GM blocks and it never had engine strainers.
My Carver 396 has twin 8.1 Crusaders, gas, did not come with engine strainers.
The generators and A/C pump did have strainers. You are not alone.

[waybomb]

I'm redoing my offshore boat. Going from 3 engines to 2 engines. Installing a completely different cooling system, so I have 3 perko strainers with the flushing inlets on them. I'll probably have to buy some fittings, but other than that, a free upgrade.

[bud37]

Heh Fred, does your boat have the remote v drives with the shafts or attached directly to the engines? Strainers are good at keeping grass and debris out but do you have to pull water thru the v Drive etc.

[waybomb]

The v-drives are driven by short driveshaft from the transmission.
Yes, the water goes through the v drive before it gets to the engine.
Sea cock, then v- drive, then engine.