Engine Mixing elbow

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W

West Virginia Sailing Nut

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Sep 30, 2009
14
Hunter 78 h30 Annapolis, MD
I am in the process of installing an all new exhaust system. While hooking up the new exhaust hose to the mixing elbow (I think that is what it is called) coming from the engine, a bunch of rust pieces fell out. I checked the elbow and it seems solid all the way around. It appears to have a piece that divides it length wise inside. Is it normal for this to be rusty? Will it affect engine performance? The engine has good compression, so I believe the corrosion is only in the mixing elbow. :confused:
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
important

Mixing Elbo does make a big difference how well the engine will run and perform.
If your replacing the exhaust system I would inspect the elbo to make sure it is not loaded up and not restricting exhaust flow.
A few years back I took the two piece mixing elbo apart and was able to clean out with all the gunk that was lstuck in the narrow passage way,I used very small sharp tools like a ice pick and small narrow chisel which helped loosen the dry exhaust cork that builds up in the narrow passage,some just replace it but I was able to clean out the build up of hard dry like rust.
After cleaning it and reinstalled it my engine ran better than new.
Nick
 
C

capejt

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May 17, 2004
276
Hunter 33_77-83 New London, CT
Don't take chances

When talking about whether or not to replace a mixing elbow, I hope you can learn from my experience. We had one blow out while trying to get to a hurricane shelter. Not exactly a time when you can stop and assess things. As a result, the entire inside of the boat (H33) ended up with a coating of black diesel exhaust soot. It took the wife and myself a total of about a week to get it all cleaned up. It never really completely cleaned up either. I ended up repainting the entire interior the following year.
Now whenever I have any doubts about the condition of the elbow, or if I see even the tiniest evidence of it giving up, I change it out in a hurry.
It's not the cheapest or easiest thing to do, but it sure beats what we already went though once.
 
TDudley

TDudley

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Dec 8, 2008
96
Hunter 27 Deale, MD
Re: Don't take chances

If it was rusty, replace it. You are not really installing a new exuast system unless you are replacing the elbow. This question has come up before and everyone seems to agree that a new mixing elbow can on help, it cant hurt.
 
B

bruce1309

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Jun 4, 2004
66
Hunter 30 Union Springs, NY
Just did mine after it cracked and let exhaust into the cabin. Not nearly as bad as capejt thank goodness. Torreson Marine was awesome for parts on my h30 and it took me about 90 minutes to complete. Result is no diesel odor and a better running engine.
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Ditto

Let me say that my Mixing Elbo that I clean out was on a 2001 Hunter and just a 5 years old not very rusted and really great shape but so pluged up the engine would not run and it was in great shape.
Older engines and if replacing the exhaust you are better off replacing it for sure before it falls apart.
I make sure I open up my engine when ever we go out sailing at the end of the day on the way back to the dock and hit the max rpm's for a short time to make sure any gunk is cleaned out in the Mixing elbo and exhaust system.
 
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