just bought a 1999 268 with 270 hrs. on her. took the boat out one evening looked at temp. gauge and it was at 220.  I let it idle for about 40 seconds and shut it down. 2 hrs. later temp. was about 130 so I started it and attempted to get back to marina at about 1100 rpms. got about 500 ft. and temp. rapidly jumped close to 200 again. did same cool down procedure as before started engine up and decided to reach my dock that was about 1/2 mile away but this time I picked up the pace a bit to almost 2000rpms. engine temp. stayed about 155 to 170 so I thought I was finally going to make it. when I slowed down for the no wake zone temp. started to rise again close to 200. I ran it at 200 for about 1 minute let it idle in neutral for 30 seconds and shut it off at marina at about 3:00am. I suspected damaged impeller blades and thought I wouldnt  hurt engine because I didnt run it long at those temps. later in the day after I slept I deceided to locate problem. I tried to start the boat first thing but engine made a funny noise and did not crank.  I took first sparg plug out and water poured out of it.  there was no water in the oil that i could tell. If I blew a head gasket wouldnt there be water in the oil? or could the water have come from some where else?  like  the manifold maybe? I know one thing I am going to do if I have enough money after i get my engine fixed and that is to get a yearly member ship to somebody like sea tow!!!!!!!!!!

David, first off, welcome to Team Crownline.  Sorry for the trouble you're having. 

It's possible the 2 situations are unrelated and that you actually sucked some water in thru your exhaust which caused the motor to hydrolock this last time.  It could be that the flappers went bad in the exhaust due to the heat although it would normally take you coming off plane rapidly or having a huge load in the back end of the boat to allow water up and in.  Remember that the engine temp may have been 220 but the exhaust was much higher.  Rubber will melt quickly when the motor is that hot. 

It does sound like an impeller problem and at slower speeds, there isn't enough left to provide much water.  I hope you didn't blow the head gasket but those temps are up there for a marine engine.  Replace the impeller, check the flappers. 

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O'
"Little Mascara 3"
2003 266BR,496 MAG w/Bravo III

David, My guess would be that when you shut off your engine, it may have dieseled, coughed, or backfired from a lean fuel condition related to the heat buildup. This could cause the engine to momentarily kick back, which would have actually sucked water into the cylinders. Remove the spark plugs, crank the engine to remove the water, spray some WD-40 in the cylinders, install the spark plugs and get the engine started as soon as possible. Then, take a look at/replace the water pump impeller.

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Jim Duff
Crownline Boats, Inc

thanks for the help and input. this is a great site for crownline owners!!!!!  Me and a friend got the engine running and sprayed some storage seal down the engine. There was only 2 blades on the raw impeller.  The thermostat was rusted inside the housing and I had to dig it out.  I replaced both and I'm getting ready to go buy a repair manual.  Is there only 1 raw water impeller? Someone said there might be one out on the outdrive. I should be able to take off the hose from water pump going to engine to see if I"m pumping water right? I do have to change the rubber couplings from exhaust. They melted a bit.  I need to see if the marina will pull boat out of water for that.  I wish the boat had a trailer when I bought her. I should be back on the water ways soon if the  engine compression check goes well. I will have to say I got a sick feeling inside when I say that water pour out of the spark plug hole. maybe the engine is going to be o.k I hope.

"Is there only 1 raw water impeller?" ........Yep. Depending on the outdrive manufacturer & model, the raw water pump is either in the outdrive (Mercruiser Alpha outdrive) or mounted on the engine (Volvo & Mercruiser Bravo outdrives).

Hopefully, you were boating in fresh water when the engine ingested the water. Salt water in an engine cylinder would not be good.

If you boat in salt water and the exhaust manifolds have some age on them, it may be worthwhile to replace the exhaust manifolds. A rusted/corroded exhaust manifold can allow water to enter the engine cylinders, as well as reduce or prevent the water from passing through the exhaust manifold. The result would be an over heated engine and exhaust hoses or hydro-locked engine.

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Phil Belcher
2003 266CCR
496 MAG, Bravo 3

TO FLAP OR NOT TO FLAP                              my exhaust flappers were melted bad.  I called my dealer and he was having a hard time finding a part number. he said they dont even install flappers on newer models with the same exhaust layout.  should I put it back together without flappers or wait to find and order some????

Definitely flappers!  My 496 didn't originally come with them and I injested water 2 summers ago.  I had some installed. 

I kind of thought that is what happened...

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O'
"Little Mascara 3"
2003 266BR,496 MAG w/Bravo III

thanks for the help I'm back on the water and running coooooool