Raw water intake flap?

[Gara]

Trying to figure out why the water pump is not sucking in water. I noticed there’s a solid piece of metal  just above the intake grate. I assume that is supposed to be there. Do they fail? And when they failed, do they fail in the position of being more clothes? I seem to have had less water flow recently and noticed temperature creep up just a little. 

[BlindSquirrel]

You might be seeing the intake itself I guess. Really the only restriction on the underside of the boat is the grate to keep large debris out. That covers a thru hull fitting that connects to the main intake hose. Have you checked your impeller? What about the transmission cooler? Photo credit to @formulaben (I think) Pretty sure this applies to your LS-1.

 

[Gara]

Thanks. Yes, the impeller is fine and there is nothing in the intake in the transmission cooler. 
I took a picture, and it looks normal, although the opening is a little smaller than I expected. I’ll try to translate it to whatever format is excepted here.

[Gara]

[formulaben]

I *think* it's normal what you're seeing.  That's the hull and some sealant.  Look at the hardware and you'll see what I mean.

https://nuwavemarine.com/boat-supplies-accessories/paint-maintenance/hardware/plumbing/plumbing-fittings/scoop-round-strainers/groco-1-1-4scoop-thru-hull-with-nut-sth-1250-w/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmvSoBhDOARIsAK6aV7hLC7CIwJbJaeW8v3aPKiEaGaI_Tt6Ly5WyCKvdS54_ilybVeHnWKUaArnhEALw_wcB

 

[Gara]

Thank you.  Delayed in finishing the diagnosis by nasty neck spasms brought on by reaching down and trying to pull off the hose.  Felt the strain when I did it, but by the next day couldn't move   Still immobile.  Maybe we can start a forum for boat repair ailments for the elderly..  "Do you have hose-yank neck? Here are three exercises."

I do think that looks normal.  I now realize that I had the force of the hose on the fake-a-lake heading in the wrong direction; as the opening is small and towards the narrow part of the grate cover.

The impeller looks fine and there are no pieces in the tranny cooler.   Possibly just air leak?  Hopefully will be able to reassemble tomorrow.  I've wondered about the cooling transfer case for this semi-closed system.  I took it apart and put in the replacement screen this winter and it was a much tighter mesh than the old one.  The engine is running a few degrees hotter than last year, even though I pulled the risers/manifolds and they were clean as a whistle. 

I'm assuming an impeller is either good or bad and if it is whole, it's fine.

Edited October 7, 2023 by Gara