Malibu Boats Wakesetter 20VTX 2019 Owner's Manual page 119

for important information regard routine and regular
functions that must be performed. Some of these tasks
overlap engine and boat component attention and
should never be skipped. Failure to perform care and
maintenance can result in damage to the boat and engine
that is not covered under warranty.
and alarms also are part of the system to provide early
warning when engine temperatures begin to exceed
acceptable levels. Continuing to operate a boat that
is overheating the engine and drive train will result in
engine failure eventually. Ignoring or failing to take
proper steps to reduce the engine temperature, resulting
in damage, is not covered under the warranty.
If an engine overheats, consider several factors before shutting
down. (Turning off the engine when it is overheated may not
provide immediate relief, and in some instances can actually
cause additional harm.)
If the boat has been idling for a prolonged period of time and the
engine became overheated, attempt to reduce the temperature by
operating the boat at a higher speed, preferably at normal running
speed. This will increase the speed of water flowing through the
cooling system, assuming there is sufficient fluid.
If the boat has been running at a higher rate of speed for a
prolonged period of time and overheats, reduce speed for a few
minutes to see if the temperature reduces. Running at wide-open-
throttle (WOT) for too long can challenge the cooling system.
If there is no immediately discernible cause for overheating, or if the
temperature does not begin to descend back to the normal range, turn
off the engine and carefully open the engine compartment (but never if
there is an odor of fuel). Ambient air should eventually cool the engine,
but if there is resulting damage to the engine from overheating, it may not
restart and the boat may need to be towed to shore.
degrees Celsius), which would cause instant and serious
burns, even through gloves or clothing.
The water pumps on the engine that circulate water and coolant
throughout the engine during operation are essentially inaccessible
to the consumer. The circulation pump, which circulates coolant,
2019 Malibu Boats, LLC Owner's Manual • Page 106
Regularly review the engine
temperature information
provided on gauges or video
screen. Warning lights
Never directly touch an
overheated engine. Temp-
eratures can exceed 200
degrees Fahrenheit (93
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is located on the bottom of the front-end accessory drive. If it
requires attention, that should be done by a service technician at an
authorized Malibu dealership.
Another pump, the raw water intake pump, is utilized to bring
in water from the body of water. The raw-water pump is located on
the top of the front-end accessory drive, adjacent to the alternator.
Its purpose is to draw and circulate water from the body of water
in which the boat is operating to increase the cooling effect for the
engine. Water is brought through the water pickup, which is located
starboard of V-drive unit. The entire cooling system is located on the
front of the engine on the transom side.
As part of the routine annual maintenance, the raw water pump
should be inspected, with particular attention to the impeller. The
process for inspection is explained in the Care and Maintenance
section of this Owner's Manual. If the boat is operated in shallow
or brackish water, or if the boat is run aground, the impeller
should be checked regularly. Silt, sand, dirt and weeds can
accelerate the deterioration of the impeller.
Many Malibu boats are equipped with an optional flush kit.
The process for properly using a flush kit is explained in the
Care and Maintenance section of this Owner's Manual.
Most often, the cause of overheating is either marine growth clogging
the raw water intake or insufficient coolant/water. If there is debris, even
in small amounts, in the body of water, during usage it is likely that some
of the marine growth can accumulate in the cooling system.
To protect the system, a sea strainer is installed near the raw water
intake and serves the purpose of keeping debris from entering the cooling
system, causing eventual engine failure. As with any kind of strainer, it is
necessary to regularly clean it so that water can flow unimpeded.
Except for the sea strainer
and raw water impeller,
consumers should not