Generator smoke from exhaust

[Gilligan 1955]

Only owned a 3807 1989 for a week. Started generator and had smoke coming out of exhaust then it shut down after less than 2 mins. I think I've sucked up weeds and it over heated. Has no "sea strainer" or sea cock to shut off water intake. Can I remove the water intake hose from the inner cooler at the generator to check for weeds? As long as I keep the hose end above the water line? Or will I sink? New to this group and I'm already in trouble. Thanks

[waybomb]

Your not going to sink the boat if you I open a line for a little while. I can't believe theres no seacock! That's dangerous. I think you may be overlooking it. It has to be there.

[km1125]

I agree.. there absolutely should be a seacock on the incoming water line.

Earlier freshwater models didn't usually come with strainers for the engines or genset. The owner had to add those if they wanted them, so I wouldn't be surprised that you don't have one. But they are a good idea to have.

Do you know that it has a good impeller in it?

What exact model genset is it? You'll get a lot better responses if folk know that.

[Gilligan 1955]

It's a Kohler generator. The intake water line goes straight from the through hull to the inner cooler. Adding a sea cock will be a project for when it comes out in the Fall. I'm also concerned that there may not be sea cocks for the engines either. If the connection is above the water line at the generator can it be safely removed? Would it be like a syphon where the source needs to be higher to flow.

[bud37]

QR_BBPOST It's a Kohler generator. The intake water line goes straight from the through hull to the inner cooler. Adding a sea cock will be a project for when it comes out in the Fall. I'm also concerned that there may not be sea cocks for the engines either. If the connection is above the water line at the generator can it be safely removed? Would it be like a syphon where the source needs to be higher to flow.

Could you post a pic of the hose where it comes from this thru hull you are referencing. FWIW it is quite easy to install a shut off valve in the inlet hose between the hull and the cooler if that is something you need to do.

[Viper]

Is the intake hose hooked up to a thru-hull behind the port engine? If there is no valve, it must have failed and a previous owner opted to remove and not replace it. It would not come from factory without a seacock.

Do you have a Kohler 7.5A/R? What do you mean by "inner cooler"? If it's like mine, the intake hose should go to the water pump first.

You can remove the intake hose at the water pump as long as it's mounted up high. It would be if you have the model I mentioned above.

If your 3807 is like mine with the exhaust holes out the sides, you'll see exhaust but the water usually comes out of the holes underneath, not the side holes, and because they are so close to the water, it can be difficult to tell whether it's pumping water or not. You can feel the exhaust hose or the elbow, it should not be very hot if she's pumping water.

[waybomb]

I am also surprised insurance would cover you with a policy. This should have been indicated on the survey.
I'd be pulling the boat now and installing seacocks.