[C320-list] priming the raw water system

[Jamie Pett]

Tom - Sounds like vapor-lock.  I'd say that sucks......but it doesn't, literally.  

This happened to me one season during commissioning, and I had to pull the hose at the water pump and siphon water through to there.......you may have to start over, or risk tasting some antifreeze ?  you might be able to 'back pour ' from the water pump and see if that gets the pump sucking ?  Possible also into the pump to make sure its filled ? 

If you are starting at the strainer, don't forget to open the through hull after she's on the hard,or there could be water from the strainer to the through hull.

FYI.....I use a winterizing 'jug' with a 'T' connection and a hose connected - see attached photo if that comes through - Use a 5/8" nipple on the end of the hose from the antifreeze jug and 'T' valve.  I pull the engine raw water intake hose right at the through hull.  Put the nipple into the engine intake hose, run fresh water in through the connected garden hose, flush the engine and get it up to heat, switch the T valves, and antifreeze follows through.....I set the jug in the cockpit and then run the clear supply hose through the aft cabin port light.   Worth the one- time $40 investment to avoid the problem you are having, and the engine gets a fresh water flush.

Good luck.

Jamie Pett
Bella Luna
0614


CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF DESIGN EXCELLENCE!


-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of David Nolte
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2017 12:50 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Cc: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] priming the raw water system

Hi Tom,

That is a great question. I never used to have that problem but the past several years I have. In fact, I am just getting back from doing that this morning on the boat.

I pour the anti-freeze into the strainer with a funnel. One thing I noticed is that the water line to the engine leaves the strainer near the top of the strainer, so if the fluid level in the strainer drops below that level it does not seem to draw/come out the exhaust. So then I top off the strainer. I also seem to have better luck getting the water/anti-freeze to draw again if I start the engine at a higher RPM. After a few starts I got it to flow just fine. 

Maybe neither of those things has bearing on it and I just got lucky through persistence. I will be curious to see what the more technically minded have to say….

David Nolte
Beach House 0004


> On Nov 22, 2017, at 11:04 AM, Tom Talling <ttalling at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Hi, I was winterizing my Yanmar diesel and it starting to suck the 
> antifreeze from the bottle that I had put the water inflow hose in.  I 
> switched to a new bottle and it stopped and I couldn't get it to start 
> again.  I replaced the impeller and was pouring AF into the input hose 
> but still couldn't get it to take it in.  Is there a way to prime the 
> system that I am not aware of.  I have replace the impeller before and 
> never had this problem.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> 
> 
> Tom Talling
> 
> One Shot 978 on the Bohemia River Chesapeake Bay
> 
> <mailto:ttalling at comcast.net> ttalling at comcast.net
> 
> 215-262-1427
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
>