Water intake clog help

[kpickett]

Here's another new-to-inboards question:

I launched the other day, and because the lake is coming up fast, the water around the ramp is full of twigs, leaves, etc. Within a minute it quickly became clear that I had a clog in the raw water intake. My temp shot up fast. So, I pulled the boat back out, pulled off the hose at the tranny cooler and cleared out some twigs. Then I got under the boat and cleared out more junk. I put the boat back in and it was fine.

Questions -

1. Is there supposed to be a screen or something under the raw water intake grate that will keep this stuff out of the line?

2. When you get a clog, is there any way to clear it without pulling the boat out? (We were just out for a little cruise - I wasn't prepared to dive under the boat and clear it.)

Thanks much,

Kyle

[east tx skier]

Yes, there should be a plastic grate (although I've heard of some people not having one for whatever reason). Both my 93 and my fater-in-law's 98 205s have this grate over the intake (hullside). As for clearing it, I'd recommend you purchase an inline raw water strainer. You can clean it out on the water although things can get a little wet. They run about $38 and you can install it yourself in less than 1 hour unless you're like me and cut the hose too short.

[MarkP]

No screen, but you can buy a strainer to help with that.

[east tx skier]

Mark, how is it that we have the same boat, but I have a screen and you don't.

[MarkP]

Doug, You have a screen, or just the brass grate??

[east tx skier]

I have a grate over my intake (don't know if it's brass). I've also got the sea strainer.

[MarkP]

I have a grate over my intake, no screen.

[MarkP]

I think we had a word mixed up.:o .

You added that sea strainer yourself, right.. Do you pick up a bunch of stuff in it. Sounds like Kpicket could have used one of them.

[kpickett]

Doug, where did you get the sea strainer?

Yes, I have the brass grate. I just wondered if there were supposed to be a screen behind the grate. The grate obviously doesn't keep small stuff out.

Kyle

[Tom023]

Doug, do you have picture, link or maybe the brand of that $38 strainer you installed. I was thinking about putting one in but all I can seem to find are pretty big units all at $100+, some even a $1,000+!!!

[G-man]

One place to get the strainer is skidim.com Vince can really help you out.

[east tx skier]

I was about a buck or two low on the price, but here 'tis. Sea Strainer (http://skidim.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SHE18016&variation=&aitem=2&mitem=9)

You'll need two hose barbs. I recommend using a right angle barb for the first one and a straight one for the second.

Mark, I was not getting much in my line, or so I thought. Once I had the strainer, I noticed that I was picking up a lot of duck weed. No big stuff though. Never have had an overheat problem. I'm much happier keeping things out though.

[Thrall]

kp, there is also a screen in the trans cooler. It is a fairly large screen though (about 1/4" grid). Will keep out large particles, twigs, seaweed, etc.
I've had mine get plugged w/ seaweed a couple times and had to jump overboard w/ goggles and clean the grate. Not sure what you'd do if you didn't want to get into the water.
I'd think just shutting off the engine would relieve suction and some of the material would drop out, with the rest being pulled out or sucked through under speed.
In my case, the seaweed was thick and had the prop, shaft, rudder and intake boogered up.

[Tom023]

Thanks, looks just like the $100+ brass units, just made out of plastic. Looks like a good thing to have with the stuff in the water around here. Getting the hoses off the transmission cooler to clean it is almost a day job it seems, with the way it's positioned in my boat.

[east tx skier]

Tom, there are quite a few threads talking about installing these things. I learned a couple of lessons the hard way.