Heater is not hot at Idle?

I had my local CC dealer install a heater in my 2005 206 last spring. At idle it blows cool air yet at speed it blows hot. Is this normal? I talked to the CC technician and he thinks my impeller might need to be replaced. Do you guys have any other thoughts?

can you take a pic on how it is plumbed in the system?

Gregg, that explanation doesnt make much sense to me. If your boat's cooling system wasnt up to par, you would be overheating- a bad impeller will likely cause an overheat or temperature creep when the boat is up to speed. It can usually keep up under low load (idle). You would have much bigger issues than a cool heater if this were the case!

Blowing cold air is a common sympton after a heater installation. Most likely, you need more flow through the core. We've found the best install involves a feed off the block or intake manifold, and a return just before the RWP. A reducer fitting just before the return also helps.

Like Eric said, please take pictures or describe the install.

The boat is in storage and I will get picture tonight and post them.

The problem was actually a clogged strainer in the hose that goes to transmission. This limited the flow of the water in the engine. they also replaced the thermostate. problem solved. now one of the vent hoses came off the heater so i need to reattache it. any ideas on how to get to the heater?

   BKH,
    Can you access your heater through your bow cushion?? I lift mine and all I see is a fiberglass cooler . I wish I had that option a few weeks ago,the kick panel is a pita.

   Mike

Gregg,

Assuming you have an Excalibur, checking the impeller is very easy on that motor, loosen the allen heads on the pulley, pull serpentine belt tensioner back, remove belt, 3 hex head bolts on the pump and the impeller is out. Probably be a good idea to inspect it regardless.
I clean my strainer very frequently, be sure you do not lose the rubber o-ring when removing the canister to clean.
You will need to remove the kick panel to access the heater core and hoses, should be 2 screws into the floor and 1 or 2 on the left side going up. Check all the connections, have had to re-attach mine once since new.

Greg,
I feel that's the trans oil cooler you were looking at. I'm surprised that it was plugged as the strainer is supposed to remove the junk. Is there a basket (screen) inside the clear bowl? Take a hard look at the water lines so you understand the flow. Water comes in the bottom of the boat, into the strainer, through the trans oil cooler and into the raw water pump. From there it cools the engine.

Inside the trans oil cooler, there are two fluid circuits. One for the water and one for the oil. The two do not connect. Water does not go through the trans. The two small lines connected to the trans are for the oil.

Maybe the basket in your strainer doesn't fit like it used to?

I suspect that the bad thermostat was probably more the problem as my boat's temp also rises at idle. At least I now have heat at idle and I just fixed the hose that came off the heater. I was suprised at how easy it was to get the kick board off under the driver pod.