check your exhaust

[john2]

This summer i noticed some black dots next to the engine, a small leak in the exhaust elbow.
all our boats are getting some age, i'm sure there are more like this...
first photo is after removing the elbow and heat wrap.
no 2: this piece fell out
no 3 after some poking....
no 4 new stainles elbow .

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Ouch! How many hours are on your engine? Did you buy or fabricate the new piece?

 

[john2]

around 1700 hours, i fabricated it from 316 stainless

 

[Project_Mayhem]

The new elbow looks great!

 

[dlochner]

That elbow failed years ago!

 

[john2]

Yes it did ! and just in time for the rest of the engine to fail. I knew the engine was a bit messy. leaked a little of everything.
So out of the boat and a full rebuild!
Damage so far: a crack in the heat exchanger under one of the brackets. 2 hoses almost sheaved through. (coolant)
blocked vent coolant cap, worn damper plate, and lots of oxidation.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Be sure to check your exhaust hose and water injection hoses for cracks. They will develop at the bends first. Upon our initial launch we kept smelling diesel. Leaving the lazarret open seemed to help but we weren't sure what was causing it. One day at the dock I ran the engine at WOT and climbed into the lazarrett. I was shocked to find water squirting out of the hose right before the through hull. Thankfully, it had made it through our 35 mile journey from the yard.