Inspect The Sea Strainer - Malibu Boats Wakesetter 20VTX 2019 Owner's Manual

or deposits within the closed cooling system. This can interfere
with proper operation and resulting damage is not covered under
warranty.) The coolant MUST BE propylene glycol coolant ONLY.
Never use ethylene glycol or Dex-Cool, nor ever attempt to
mix coolants as they will not properly mix. Use of unapproved
coolant will void the warranty.

Inspect the Sea Strainer

Raw water from the lake/river/sea is drawn into the boat as part
of the cooling system for the engine and drive train. Even with the
closed cooling systems, it is necessary to circulate additional water
as part of an effective cooling system. To protect the system, a sea
strainer is installed near the raw water intake, aft of the engine near
the steering system's tiller arm. The sea strainer serves the purpose
2019 Malibu Boats, LLC Owner's Manual • Page 179
https://www.boat-manuals.com/
of keeping debris from entering the raw water cooling system and
causing eventual engine failure. As with any kind of strainer, it is
necessary to regularly clean it so that water can flow unimpeded.
When operating the boat in "dirty" water that is brackish or has
a noticeable degree of weeds and other flora, it may be necessary
to clean out the strainer in boats equipped with sea strainers even
during an outing. Pay close attention to the engine temperature,
which appears on a gauge or video screen. (See the Dashes and
Video Screens section of this Owner's Manual for more information.)
An overheating engine is probably due to inadequate water flow.
eventually. Boat operators should routinely review the
engine temperature information provided on the gauge or
video screen on the instrument panel. Ignoring or failing
to take proper steps to reduce the engine temperature,
resulting in damage, is not covered under the warranty.
Leave the engine OFF.
To inspect the sea strainer, open the engine compartment.
Note the sea strainer's appearance as shown in the accompanying
photo. (If you cannot locate the sea strainer, ask for assistance from
your authorized Malibu dealer. This step is critical and cannot be
overlooked. Also shown in the photo is the adjacent optional flush kit,
which does not require normal consumer maintenance.)
Open and lift the cover to expose the filter.
Remove the filter and examine for any debris that has
accumulated within it. When necessary, clean out the filter and then
reinstall it in the housing. Hand tighten the lid so that water will not
leak out and into the engine compartment.
If it is necessary to check the sea strainer during an outing, turn
OFF the engine first and then close the valve on the water pickup
feeding the sea strainer. Make sure you open the valve prior to
running the engine; otherwise, it will overheat. Whenever the engine
is running, water is being drawn in and you will not be able to inspect
the sea strainer.
Check the Battery Holders
and the Connections
Because batteries contain fluid that is caustic and potentially
dangerous to skin and body parts, boat operators need to ensure that
the batteries are securely in place. Also, if the connections are loose,
erroneous readings may be sent to the boat system, which can cause
running and functionality problems. To avoid becoming stranded
during an outing, it is important to have accurate voltage readings
Continuing to operate a
boat that is overheating
the engine and drive train
will result in engine failure