My boat's engine doesn't run in the water!!!!!?

Question

i have a 1988 21ft chris craft 225 limited. 305 OEM engine

We went on a camping trip and put the boat in the water, started up just fine, got in the middle of the lake, turned it off to get an inner tuber out in the water, tried to start it up and it wouldn't turn over. After 5minutes of waiting, it turned on but blew white smoke out, but the temp guage said it was normal. brought it back to land, looked at the anti freeze, it was full. put bunny ears on the propeller, got some water going through it and ran like a beauty.

put it back in the water the next day, started up fine, got in the middle of the lake, turned off the engine. and wouldnt start back up. we had to wait 15min till it turned on, but got back to the dock and it died on us.

what is going on?

why is the engine running PERFECT on land... but not in the water???

Answer 1

Check flow from sea-water pump, or impeller pump in gearcase. Do a compression test, if indicated, do a leak-down test. From your email, it sounds like you need to take the boat to a marine tech to have a proper diagnosis. Really sounds to me like a cooling issue.

Answer 2

I really need more information about what is happening.After running in the lake and it won't start,is the engine turning over right?You say it blew out white smoke.That is an indication of a blown or leaking head gasket.Water getting into cylinders.

What could be happening is when you first put it in the water and start it up,it is burning the water that is going into the cylinders.After you stop it is filling up and will not start again.

This may not be the problem at all.Like I said before,you really need to explain what is happening a little better.