Optimax 150 Overheat issue

[slofisher]

2000 Optimax 150. Had overheat alarm last weekend while heading back to port after Salmon fishing heading into 15 plus kt wind and 5 ft swells. I managed to get the motor to run at 4 mph without the alarm sounding and made it back to port. I had sucked up a lot of sound when launching at low tide earlier which may have contributed to the problem, Last impeller change was a year ago so I am now in the middle of replacing it. Upon examining the old impeller I see a small strip of gasket, (1/4" x 1/2"), torn off and missing. This gasket sits under the water pump plate and bridges across the water inlet hole so I am thinking it most likely went up the tube into the engine. This does not look good to me. Question is is there a filter somewhere that may have caught it before it got to far up. Should I be concerned? The engine seems to pee okay when it is running on the hose flushing.

[XstreamVking]

Port side of the power head on the lower part, is a strainer/hose fitting that feeds water to the compressor. Pull this and clean it before running it again. Pc of gasket may be in there also...

[slofisher]

thanks for the tip.