Belt problem?

[shane]

I have a 99 22v with a 315hp mercruiser. I ran it monday no problems. I put it in the water yesterday and as soon as I started it the belts started sqeaking bad, I first thought they were wet because it was raining. I opened the engine compartment within the first 30 seconds and noticed that the belt was not turning so I shut the engine off.
Any suggestions as to what caused this would be appreciated.

[bfrank]

some thing is froze up, water pump, alternator,......???? Hope its not anything major.

[Matt Garcia]

Sounds like a seized impeller. When was the last time you replaced it?

Everytime I have heard that noise wether it be on my boat or a friends it has always been an impeller issue.

[shane]

Changed it three years ago. I don't think it is impeller. If it was shouldn't I have had some warning, like engine running hot. I am hoping the alternator seized up.

[Matt Garcia]

Originally posted by shane
If it was shouldn't I have had some warning, like engine running hot. I am hoping the alternator seized up.

The first time that happened the sqeual was really loud and the belt snapped. The second time I didnt hear any noise but noticed the engine temp slowly rise. After a few minutes I shut it down, turns out it was the impeller.

This also just happened on my friends 20i. His did the same thing but we only ran it for about 20 -30 seconds and was making the same squealing sound. After futher inspection the impeller was installed in the wrong direction, once installed properly everything ran fine.

I would say its time to replace your impeller.

[bfrank]

I agree on the impeller, I change mine every year weather it need it or not.

[shane]

It is a pain in the *** to get to the water pump in a V drive.

[David Baker]

check the belt tension, mine did the same thing because it was loose

[shane]

I did. The belt and the pulleys are not moving.

[GIZMO]

Just take the belt off and spin the pulleys by hand, The one thats tight is your problem,

P.S. my belt will loosen up from time to time as well, Its a long belt and it will strech.

[jsz]

This is exactly what hapened to me on the lake last week. Squeel, and no belt turning. After some coaching from the MD I brought the boat home, took off the belt and everything turned but the water pump. With a few basic tools I had it off in less than an hour. Keep in mind it's a v-drive and it's the first time I've unscrewed anything more than the oil filter. There was a small piece of an impeller stuck in there but my impeller was not missing anything (mystery???) I put a new impeller in and it runs fine.

It was not near as hard as I thought. I took off the fuel filter bracket and a couple hoses that were in the way. The hardest part was squeezing the new impeller into the housing (TIP-use zip ties to squeeze it before sliding it in!!!)

Thanks again to the MD and a couple of you who wrote articles with pics on how to do it.

[shane]

Took mine to the shop and it was the water pump that had to be replaced. $547.00 going to pick it up today.