So I bought a '78 O'day last year and had no issues (my first sailboat). This past weekend was the first decent weather weekend of the spring so I finally un-winterized the boat, including the Atomic 4. The engine is very original, but runs well for a 35 year old. Anyway, got her up to operating temperature, went below and notices a "haze". After some investigation, noticed that the wrap around the exhaust from the engine to the standpipe was smoking. This material is not new, so it can't be that it was setting in. Any idea why this pipe would be hotter than normal? The engine thermostat was 140, which is normal for last year. Any advice would be appreciated!
Exhaust issue
- Thread starter adwashin
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Am I right in assuming this "wrap" you refer to, is insulation to keep the heat down in this area ?
Any chance that it was accidentally dripped on with oil (during an oil change), anti-freeze (another change) or anything else to cause the smoke ?
My last thought would be a possible leak in this section of pipe and what you are seeing is actually exhaust gas with the dreaded CO in it. For this reason alone, it would be well worth removing the insulation with: 1) the cabin clear of fumes and 2) the engine shut down, and then checking for any gas leaks while the engine is running. Do it very quickly and then get out fast. We'd really hate to lose a member here :cry:.
Please keep us informed as to what you find.
I never considered this....I should see this coming out right from the start. So i will check it out tonight.
Be careful.
Let us know how it goes.
If we don't hear back from you, we will assume the worst and send out a rescue party.
Let us know how it goes.
If we don't hear back from you, we will assume the worst and send out a rescue party.
That would be my guess as well. The exhaust pipe on our diesel 1985 28 failed a few years ago and initially was somewhat like what you describe. We were able to patch it with an automotive exhaust patch kit that actually lasted a couple years before the whole thing came apart and we had to have a new pipe built. You may be able to do that in a pinch, but as Ralph points out, do be careful with the potential for CO, especially with a relatively high CO exhausting gas engine compared to diesel. Also be careful around the wrap as it *may* contain asbestos. (No definitive knowledge of that implied; not looking to spark a discussion like the recent one in the Ask All Sailors forum.)
So I had to work late, and it was dark by the time I got home. So I will test it tonight. As far as the asbestos goes, if I suspect that the exhaust is leaking I will remove the whole thing intact anyway so not to disturb the cloth wrap. I will post tomorrow when I know more.
So the hot portion of the exhaust needs to be replaced. Just on warmup, i got to 10 ppm of CO on the confined space meter I brought home from work. So, any idea where i can get one of these? I checked Moyer Marine, and the only one that was similar was the one listed for a Catalina 27, but it won't work. Anyone done this before?
Guys,
I think we need to step back a minute. I'm focusing on Adwashin's first comment that it was his first sailboat. We all may be assuming that the obvious has been checked. 10 PPM of CO is not off the charts. It's actually within many limits. An exhaust leak should go through the roof.
I'm not familar with the atomic 4 (gasoline) set-up but the exhaust should be cooled at the exhaust manifold prior to the lift muffler or gooseneck. It can get hot but not smoking.
If there is a haze in your engine room and the exhaust is smoking, I think you found the source. Now find why it is smoking. As Ralph mentioned, is there something on it? or is it too hot which would suggest that you check for water flow. Is there water coming out of the exhaust?
I think we need to step back a minute. I'm focusing on Adwashin's first comment that it was his first sailboat. We all may be assuming that the obvious has been checked. 10 PPM of CO is not off the charts. It's actually within many limits. An exhaust leak should go through the roof.
I'm not familar with the atomic 4 (gasoline) set-up but the exhaust should be cooled at the exhaust manifold prior to the lift muffler or gooseneck. It can get hot but not smoking.
If there is a haze in your engine room and the exhaust is smoking, I think you found the source. Now find why it is smoking. As Ralph mentioned, is there something on it? or is it too hot which would suggest that you check for water flow. Is there water coming out of the exhaust?
Water is coming out of the back normally, so that is fine. The cloth wrapping around the metal exhaust before it goes into the water muffler is for some reason getting wet. The hose above it is new and not leaking and goes from the top of the exhaust manifold to a nipple on the downward leg of the hot section where it injects the water into the system. 10 ppm is below dangerous levels for CO, but it steadily climbs to that level just getting to the normal operating temperature. I would think that any increase would mean a leak of some sort. As for something being on the hot portion, I do not know what that could be. I tried last night to let it run and burn it off to no avail.
For the fresh water cooled '85 Universal diesel we had to get our replacement fabricated by a marine service and machine shop. We were hoping it would be an interchangeable part but apparently the engine manufacturers only manufacture to the back of the manifold. The exhaust was built pretty much custom by the boat manufacturer. We brought the whole lot to the guy and he built a new one from pipe components.
Is it possible the wrapping just got wet over the winter and when he started it up that moisture was steaming off? I have seen that before and it will do this for the first couple of runs till it fully dries out. just a thought but worth checking before declaring it needs replacement. 10 ppm does not sound like a leak.
I had a Douglas 32 for 25yrs (bought a Catalina 36 last Fall) and it had an A4. Every Spring, I motor 12hrs or so up the St Lawrence from our winter marina to summer marina. When starting out, the exhaust pipe wrap always 'smokes' for about 1/2 - 3/4hr which is moisture that over the winter lay-up has accumulated in the wrap turning to steam. I wonder if this is your situation as well? Otherwise, if the steam lasts longer, as others have suggested, most likely a leak. BTW, loved the A4....very reliable.
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