I was told to then run the transmission for a bit, dump that new fluid you just put in and replace again with new.
dj
A story of the engine that could.... Then didn't…NOW DOES
- Thread starter jssailem
- Start date
dj
Sorry to hear the news, John, all the best. Uhm, do you know any friends who might know something about Boat Electrical Systems? 
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,048
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,048
Very good question, Dave.
One of the issues involved buying an "Mature 1974 designed" boat that has a 5ft deep bilge, is previous owners have allowed all sorts of unknown chemicals to be deposited into the bilge.
Our Marina had a tank that would allow bilge water (and all the contaminates) to be deposited in a tank up to 2019. Then they got rid of the tank. It was too much of a hassle. I was able to dispose of approximately 200 gallons of mysterious bilge water in 5 gallon buckets.
I have been putting "Pig's" socks that soak up oil in the bilge as a defensive move. I was concerned that my 50 year old Perkins right up until it seized in 2022 was contributing to the bilge water and Pig meals. During that period I was careful to assure that everything was water tight. This meant no bilge pumping for fear of pumping contaminated bilge water into the marina creating a spill and incurring the wrath of the EPA.
With this event, one of the silver linings is the Marina staff pumped a lot of the bilge water and contents out into the marina waters. This allows me to do the same. I'm still popping the pigs into the bilge. Now they rest on the bottom and my pump, yesterday, took the bilge water down till the pump was sucking air. I watched the discharge water and saw that it was 98% marina water that had been sucked into the boat.
Once I finish the electrical wiring inspection, I will now be able to drop down my automatic bilge pump and avoid this type of fiasco.
John,
Certainly, this is a huge trial for you! But I hope I'd be doing just what you are if I were in your place: grit your teeth, fight the battle, and fix the problems one at a time! In other words, this isn't like rebuilding in a flood plain (which is the definition of stupidity), this is you fighting to save your boat. Hang in there, man: you can do it! We're all pulling for you.
Certainly, this is a huge trial for you! But I hope I'd be doing just what you are if I were in your place: grit your teeth, fight the battle, and fix the problems one at a time! In other words, this isn't like rebuilding in a flood plain (which is the definition of stupidity), this is you fighting to save your boat. Hang in there, man: you can do it! We're all pulling for you.
A friend has the same boat as yours so I’m familiar with that deep bilge. His bilge pump was an electric diaphragm pump and the bearings were shot so I helped replace it. Quite a conundrum.
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,048
That PSS Shaft Seal vent hose has always seemed to be an unnecessary vulnerability to me. The original PSS Shaft Seal design for sailboats did not include that hose. Instead, you were only required to burp the seal once when launching in the Spring. I have had that ventless design PSS Seal for over a decade without ever desiring to add the later design version vent hose. Hang in there, John.
The other two possibilities are:
- Use the port as a vent rather than water injection. Run the hose up to a high point inside a compartment and secure the end of the hose. That is what I did with my C30. The water line is a couple of inches below the seat level and the end of the hose is attached to the cabinet under the countertop directly over the engine. This puts it on centerline and about 24" above the waterline.
- If you want to inject water into the port, it must also go up to a highpoint and have a vented loop there which will break the siphon.
Yeah the bilge pump was located where you describe. It was an electric diaphragm pump. He moved his boat to Mathews Point Marina and I haven’t seen him since so I don’t have info on the exhaust.
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,048
I can report, yesterday was a very good day!
We completed the assembly of the engine, enough to test a start.
She coughed. She sputtered. And then she just went varooom. The water pump sent cooled exhaust out the stern. YEAH!
She started without the need of chemicals sprayed in the air intake. We stopped the engine and then started again. We put her in gear at the dock. Transmission went smoothly into gear. The PSS Shaft Seal kept the water outside.
She is off the critical care unit and now we need to finish cleaning, rebuilding the electrical (we’ve accomplished about 75% of this task.
There is still some woodwork clean up from her testing her submersible skills. That did not go well so no further tests are needed.
With some home duties scheduled for September, I’ll be buttoning her up until October when a local sea trial can be run.
Winter sailing is looking likely in my future.
Thank you all who provided support, ideas and encouragement. You guys were wonderful.
Last evening I got to toast the success with @LeslieTroyer and @MikeHoncho here on the dock. All of my SBO friends felt like you were there.
CHEERS.
We completed the assembly of the engine, enough to test a start.
She coughed. She sputtered. And then she just went varooom. The water pump sent cooled exhaust out the stern. YEAH!
She started without the need of chemicals sprayed in the air intake. We stopped the engine and then started again. We put her in gear at the dock. Transmission went smoothly into gear. The PSS Shaft Seal kept the water outside.
She is off the critical care unit and now we need to finish cleaning, rebuilding the electrical (we’ve accomplished about 75% of this task.
There is still some woodwork clean up from her testing her submersible skills. That did not go well so no further tests are needed.
With some home duties scheduled for September, I’ll be buttoning her up until October when a local sea trial can be run.
Winter sailing is looking likely in my future.
Thank you all who provided support, ideas and encouragement. You guys were wonderful.
Last evening I got to toast the success with @LeslieTroyer and @MikeHoncho here on the dock. All of my SBO friends felt like you were there.
CHEERS.
WHOO HOO!!!!Last evening I got to toast the success with @LeslieTroyer and @MikeHoncho here on the dock. All of my SBO friends felt like you were there.
CHEERS.
Dang - now that is some AWESOME news!!!!!
Enough of a job with the electrical and wood work that will be coming.
dj
Enough of a job with the electrical and wood work that will be coming.
dj
I called John, as I left my boat yesterday.
He told me his engine good news, and I also shared my engine start good news with him
Both of our boats have played like submersible
Jim...
He told me his engine good news, and I also shared my engine start good news with him
Both of our boats have played like submersible
Jim...
WHOO HOO!I also shared my engine start good news with him
Fantastic news John! Perseverance won out. I will raise a beer to you and your success.I can report, yesterday was a very good day!
We completed the assembly of the engine, enough to test a start.
She coughed. She sputtered. And then she just went varooom. The water pump sent cooled exhaust out the stern. YEAH!
She started without the need of chemicals sprayed in the air intake. We stopped the engine and then started again. We put her in gear at the dock. Transmission went smoothly into gear. The PSS Shaft Seal kept the water outside.
She is off the critical care unit and now we need to finish cleaning, rebuilding the electrical (we’ve accomplished about 75% of this task.
There is still some woodwork clean up from her testing her submersible skills. That did not go well so no further tests are needed.
With some home duties scheduled for September, I’ll be buttoning her up until October when a local sea trial can be run.
Winter sailing is looking likely in my future.
Thank you all who provided support, ideas and encouragement. You guys were wonderful.
Last evening I got to toast the success with @LeslieTroyer and @MikeHoncho here on the dock. All of my SBO friends felt like you were there.
CHEERS.