[C320-list] rubber burning smell!

[warren updike]

Here is my pitch for the Globe Composites "RunDry" impeller available from
Defender.com  The claim is that they can withstand 15 min. of running dry.  

Always, immediately after starting the engine, check the overboard
discharge.  Even with the thru-hull open, the intake can be blocked or
air-lock in the line.

Warren & Pattie Updike
Catalina 320, #62, "Warr De Mar"
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay




-----Original Message-----
From: james_delong [mailto:james_delong at bellsouth.net] 
Sent: Saturday, July 25, 2009 2:57 PM
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] rubber burning smell!

Yesterday, after a nice day sail, we started the engine to motor back in.
After a few minutes we began to smell a strong odor of burning rubber.  Then
the over heating alarm went off.  Shut her down and reverted to sail.  I
pulled the impeller and found every blade was cracked, but in place.
Replaced that then started the engine again.  The rubber smell returned!
Then checked water flow to the pump and all seemed ok.  Started the engine
again and all was ok!  Motored in at the proper temperature.

I hate it when something is fixed and I have no clue how or why the problem
occurred in the first place!

If no water was getting to the impeller, would that cause the rubber burning
smell?  And, could the blades have cracked with a dry pump?  My only
conclusion is that something was stuck on the intake, the impeller failed,
and later whatever clogged the intake fell off.  Could it have been as
simple at that?

Or...does a strong rubber smell indicate something else?

Thanks!!

Jim  #453