Flushing/Cooling system Questions.

[OrangeAnimal]

I have a problem (I think) when I hook up the hose to my 2000 Challenger M2 carb 2 stroke engine. Water comes out into the bilge area. It only comes out on the same side the hose goes into the engine. So I checked the hose first. Did not find anything wrong there. It's coming out around the base of the engine. Where its mounted to the hull. I gave the guy a call and he says this is normal! I really found it hard to believe cause it's a fair amount of water coming in. Any info on how the cooling system works on the M2 engine in general would also be appreciated as well. Should this be happening? The PO says it doesn't do it when in the water and I have seen the boat run but it was from the shore and on a video but not personally. I want to make sure it won't start doing this while I am out on the water.

 

[OrangeAnimal]

Bump Any ideas? I plan on taking it out tomorrow.

 

[rookie101]

That's not good.............

That is not normal. The flush hose attaches to the ride plate between the jet and the engine, and there is a gasket on each side of it to seal the ride plate to the pump on one side, and the power head on the other.

There should be no water flowing from that area, on the hose or other. Have a really good look at the hose and its fitting at the ride plate. Hopefully you find a problem, because if you don't you are going to have to pull the power head and replace both those gaskets.

If your ride plate is leaking, you can end up with one of two major problems.

One........ the pump can deliver such a large volume of water you could fill the hull and drown the engine.

Two.........the pump may not be able to supply the engine with enough water for cooling if a large amount is leaking past the ride plate.




Aaron

 

[OrangeAnimal]

That is what i figured. So the only way to fix it is to remove the power head (engine). I was going to try to seal it up. It only leaks out on the starboard (right) side. I guess I am going to take a closer look. I know the previous owner had been running it this way so the volume can't be too large. I am going to climb in the bilge area and hook the water hose up and look closely. I hope to find something simple.

 

[OrangeAnimal]

Well I took it out today and it doesn't seem to be a issue. after I was done I proped up the trailer and drained about 2 gallons of water out. Plus I have a bilge pump so if it got more than that it pumped it out. So I am going to take another look but I think it's ok.

 

[rookie101]

Your siphon tube in the bottom of the bilge and the electric bilge pump are probably keeping up no problem, but I usually have zero water in the hull at the end of the day.

Have a good look when the engine is running in the water and try and determine where the water is coming from. I know it is a pain to even consider pulling the engine, but you don't want to ignore a potentially serious problem.

Aaron:cheers:

 

[OrangeAnimal]

While under way my dad looked back there and said maybe a cup of water was there. Then I looked before I drianed it and there was hardly any. The bilge pump wasn't running while we had it out. I never saw water coming from that outlet. I also decided when I got back to see what would happen when I put the hose to it. Nothing leaking between the ride plate and powerhead or the lower portion mated to the hull and jet drive assm. So now I am puzzled cause I cannot duplicate the problem. Is it possible that I had too much pressure with the water hose the first time? I can't see it leaking anywhere. I checked throughly. I think I am going to run it again and see if I can find it. I am having some other issues with my trim tabs. It has those Smart Tabs on it and I think something isn't right. Cause around 25 it pulls hard to the port side and lists hard starboard and I have to turn to the lock starboard to keep it straight. Once you are going below 20 or above 30 it does just fine.

 

[rookie101]

Maybe you have a loose connection at the end of the flush hose?? If it's not acting up just keep any eye on it an enjoy the boat. Can't say much about the trim tabs, I don't have them on the Uboat.


Aaron:cheers:

 

[OrangeAnimal]

Yeah, The trim tabs are strange. I am going to post up and see who uses them and what their experience was with them. Alot of people seem to like them but I think they are mostly on prop driven boats. I have been in touch with the company making them and I am going to give them a call. They are huge tabs and possibly too much for the boat to handle.