Beta Marine Beta 43 Operator's Maintenance Manual page 29

Problem: Engine overheats
Possible Cause
Check coolant level:
Pressure cap loose:
Switch sender faulty:
Insufficient restrictions in pipe to calorifier:
High exhaust back pressure:
Keel cooler insufficient size:
General - Keel cooling only
Sometimes overheating is caused by:
(a) Not fully venting the engine cooling system of air. It is
necessary to remove all air from the cooling system -
including the "skin" tanks and (if fitted) the Calorifier and
associated piping.
General - Heat exchanger only
The most common cause of overheating is insufficient
seawater flow due to a blocked intake (weed or a plastic
bag!). If this happens then clear the blockage. If the problem
is not cured then check the system for sea water flow which
should be 15 litres / minute minimum at 1,500 rpm as
follows:
(a) With the boat tied up and out of gear run the engine up
to 1500 rpm. Hold a plastic bucket over the exhaust
outlet for 10 seconds and measure the amount of water
collected*. Multiply this value by 6 to give the flow in
litres/min. Repeat twice and take an average.
Problem: Battery quickly discharges
Possible Cause
High load and insufficient running:
Low electrolyte level:
Fan belt slipping - black dust in engine compartment,
engine compartment temperature too high:
Alternator defective:
Battery defective:
Poor wiring connection:
Problem: Morse control cable will not fit
Possible Cause
Incorrect fitting:
Solution
Top up.
Tighten correctly or replace.
Replace.
Clamp off pipe to confirm.
Must not exceed:
Beta 43, 50 & 60 @ 2,700 / 2,800rpm 60 mm of Hg
(2.4" of Hg)
Contact boat builder
(b) Incorrectly sized "skin" tanks that have been sized for
'usual' canal use (rather than maximum engine output
that can sometimes be required) on fast flowing rivers.
An additional "skin" tank may need to be fitted; please
refer to our website: Inland waterways - Guidelines: keel
cooling tank sizes.
If the flow rate is noticeably less than the 15 litre per
minute minimum at 1,500 rpm, then:
(b) Check impeller in sea water pump - if worn replace.
(c) If impeller has a vane missing then this will be lodged
either in the pipe to the heat exchanger or in the end of
the exchanger. This must be removed.
(d) Check flow again as in (a).
*Note: This operation must only be done in safe conditions,
in port and with two assistants. Working from a rubber
dinghy is best. The person holding the bucket should take
precautions against breathing in the exhaust gasses.
Solution
Reduce load or increase charging time. Large domestic
battery banks subject to high electrical loads will take
a considerable time to recharge from a single alternator.
Top up.
Adjust tension / replace belt with a high temperature
type and / or improve engine compartment ventilation.
Check with Agent.
Replace.
Check wiring system.
Solution
Cables are being fitted the wrong way around,
switch over and fit the opposite way.
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