2003 Ficht Ram 175 water pressure

[ktisdall]

We got the rest of the rigging issues worked out.  Engine runs on the garden hose ( ear muffs fitting) and seems to pump water out the indicator.  Cyl heads don't get past warm to the touch in 5 min running.

But the water pressure gauge (new faria gauge) reads 0 pressure until I wind up the rpm's then it jumps a little to maybe 5lb pressure.  New hose all the way gauge to the fitting on the exhaust manifold.  If I take out the fitting on the engine, water spurts out when the engine runs.

Ideas / info?

--Kevin

[GoneFission]

You should be getting 5 psi or so at idle.  Have you replaced the impeller and/or water pump?  Worn impellers or water pumps are the usual cause of low water pressure.  

Does the motor have the thermostat(s) installed?  Sometimes people will take them out - thinking that will keep the motor cool and prevent overheating.  In fact, leaving the t-stats out means a cold engine that does not idle well, etc.  Missing t-stats will reduce water pressure on most motors.

[ktisdall]

I was sort of hoping to avoid doing the water pump after all the other screwing around with this engine that I have done.  I'll check for thermostats first and then do the pump.   Bugger.

My biggest issue is having no brp dealer within 30 miles.  Waiting for mail order parts is killing a lot of time.

Thanks

--Kevin

[icemanbryan]

I believe there are 3 thermostat's on that motor.
2 are below the lower cowling.

The impeller is not a hard thing to do.
Might be a good idea to do it all so you have a starting place.

[Circle Hooked]

My moneys on the impeller, they should be changed out every couple years anyway.

[seabob4]

My moneys on the impeller, they should be changed out every couple years anyway.

And take a good look and feel at the wear plates in the WP housing.  If they are showing any kind of wear, even a new impeller won't give you the suction the motor wants.  With no baseline history, I'd swap out at least the upper housing as well...

[icemanbryan]

Oh, good call Bob.
See, that is why you get the big bucks here

[ktisdall]

Yea, I know better.

All correct about having a decent baseline.  I'll do the whole water pump and all t-stats and report back.

--Kevin

[ktisdall]

I believe I found the water pressure leak.  

Lower thermostat cover was so corroded that the flange which meets the receptacle that holds the lower thermostat was eaten away.  You could fit a small philips screwdriver through the hole in the cover.

Of course the cover was $45, the GASKET was $6 and the blow-off hose was $14.  Where do they get these prices?

Anyway, that should bring up the pressure.  I did do the water pump and the two other thermostats in the heads.  All looked ok as if they had relatively recent service.

More to follow once the parts come in.

--Kevin

[ktisdall]

Just an update -

I replaced water pump (old one not too bad) and the three thermostats.   The cyl head ones were not too bad but the lower one was shot, cover rusted away, housing was warped and clearly leaking.   So new everything there.

Idle water pressure @ about 1000rpm is 2-3lbs and does improve if I run it higher.  Telltale shoots water like a 18 year old after a six-pack.   This is on garden hose.  I ran it 10 min and checked the heads and cylinders with an IR thermometer and all were 107-120 degF.    I know that's still low pressure but I'll put it in the water and run it to see if that changes anything.  

If there's anything else to check I'm interested to know.

--Kevin

[ktisdall]

Final update on this one -

We got it in the water and it ran great with terrific water pressure.   6lbs at 900-1000rpm and 17lbs at 4800rpm.    Engine was quiet, didn't smoke much at all, ran well and shifted better than any motor I've ever had - smooth with barely any clunking of the gearbox dogs.

Thanks for all / any advice and suggestions.   It did have very different pressure from the hose at home to in-water.  But it definitely needed the lower thermostat and the rest for peace of mind.

--Kevin

[seabob4]

Excellent Kevin!!

Just a reminder to all.  If you buy a "new to you" boat and cannot be absolutely deadnuts certain as to what maintenance was done when by the PO (they have been known to...lie!), install a new water pump!!  Housing, impeller, gaskets, and o-rings.  They're pretty cheap in relation to a lot of other stuff on your motor, there are a bunch of youtube videos that pretty much walk you through the process, and it gives you an excellent maintenance baseline.

Might as well throw t-stats and poppet valves in with the WP as well...

[sandbarjonny]

Take to a ramp and try it or put it a barrel..