Anti Siphone valve

[NYSail]

I am not familiar with these devises as my previous boats engine was above the water line and did not have any. My current boat has one that looks like it was never removed. I have heard that these must be maintained for them to operate correctly. What must be done to these? I unscrewed the valve and there was a peice of cardboard looking thing blocking the valve air hole. Is this the way it is suppose to be? What should I do?Thanks!GregP36-2

 

[jd]

siphon valve

This little device is a very important item on your boat . It basicallty prevents the siphoning of sea water back into your engine, this is very costly. the little cardboard piece you refer to in fact is the valve!! When the motor is running and water is presurized through the loop the valve keeps the water from leaking out , but when the motor is stopped the valve allows air to enter the line and breaks the siphoning effect.Thsi is a simple explanation

 

[NYSail]

Is there

Any way to check/make sure the valve is still working?Thanks!

 

[AXEL]

Clean the valve....

Assuming you didn't damage anything when you pulled the little valve out and put it back together the same exact way it was it should work. You need to keep this valve clean. The problem is that this tiny little pin hole is blasted with hot, salty, exhast laden sea water and will clog easily. I know, it happen to me and I ended up with an engine full of sea water. What I did to prevent this from happening again was; I removed the valve and attached a small, clear hose(clear hose is important)to the nub where the valve opening is. Make sure to use a hose clamp! Then I tee'd the hose into my sink drain (overboard). Now when I start up the engine I can see a stream of water flowing thru the clear hose out the valve opening and I always know I have a anti siphone break is working.