HDI Marine Mixing Elbows
- Thread starter HMT2
- Start date
I bought mine on Ebay. Same one. Fits perfectly and works fine, but I don't put the demands on it that others might. I had to order a new manifold to elbow gasket from Niemec.
I had to buy some giant tools from Harbor freight to break it all down.
I had to buy some giant tools from Harbor freight to break it all down.
I bought the mixing elbow and coupling for my 2GM20 from ebay last year also. I opted for the stainless version and am very happy with my purchase.
Mike, I put about 600 hours on mine before we sold the boat. No issues at all. I bought mine direct from HDI. They answered all my questions pre-purchase. It's a family operation, a dad, son, and daughter. I talked to the daughter, and she really knows the product. I wouldn't hesitate.
You WILL need a vise, and a very large wrench. One tip: when you take off the old assembly, take it off by removing it in in one piece. In other words, take out the 4 bolts at the exhaust manifold, and leave the rest together. (It will probably be impossible to separate the two pieces while on the boat anyway). Keeping them together will preserve the exact "angle" between the exhaust and the elbow, which you can then duplicate in the assembly of the new pieces.
My elbow (and the hose that attaches and runs aft to exit the boat) sat just inside a removable vertical bulkhead that would not fit back in if I did not rotate the elbow its threads far enough. If I rotated it too far, the exhaust hose would not fit on. (Hope that makes sense). I had to carry the whole thing from the boat back down the dock and into the club's workshop (for the vice) two extra times because I hadn't kept a reference.
My elbow (and the hose that attaches and runs aft to exit the boat) sat just inside a removable vertical bulkhead that would not fit back in if I did not rotate the elbow its threads far enough. If I rotated it too far, the exhaust hose would not fit on. (Hope that makes sense). I had to carry the whole thing from the boat back down the dock and into the club's workshop (for the vice) two extra times because I hadn't kept a reference.
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+1 on removing it as one piece. The hose is a PITA to break free . I think I may have used a little heat.
Wow, if you've done this twice, then I'm glad (and the new owner will be glad) I changed it to SS.
The first one corroded through and sprayed salt water all over the engine compartment. The boat was brand new to us and we knew little about maintaining the engine, fortunately, the leak started just as we delivered the boat to be hauled out and have a bottom job. Our marine repair guy changed them out. The second time I was much more informed (thank you SBO) and checked the elbow, it was carboned up a medium amount, but I could not clean it to my satisfaction so I but on a new elbow. This time I want to have the replacement parts with me when I check it. I typically check my elbow every couple of years, usually right before I head off on the Harvest Moon Regatta, a 150 mile race from Galveston to Port Aransas and then return trip, often motoring up the ICW. I didn't race this year so I'm going to check it sometime soon after the new stainless parts arrive.
The new SS elbow may get plugged in time also. It would be a shame to replace it too. Maybe someone here has a good method for cleaning them. Someone a while back posted that they were close to a yanmar dealer that cleaned them for little or no money.
I took my old one to someone that rebuilds diesel engines and they sand blasted it clean. both inside and out for about $50.
I haven't put much time on the new stainless steel exhaust bend and elbow but I dealt with their customer service twice. They will go out of their way to ensure you have the correct part. On the same order they sent me exchange parts twice, because of my fault. Neither time would they accept an offer to pay for the shipping charges. This is above and beyond my expectations.
Kim Chapman
Kim Chapman
Given time, I think the elbow can be self cleaning. I saved my old elbow with the idea of cutting it in half. Didn't get around to it and eventually the crud on the inside started falling out. Haven't rodded it to determine if it is totally clean but there is no sense in cutting it in half now because it has all changed. By the time the elbow needs to be replaced then the old SS elbow MAY be clean enough to re-install.
This time I used some exhaust thread sealant on the elbow thread to see if that will help with being able to remove the coupling easier. I hate to have to buy a coupling when I can't get it apart. Brand name: Gasoila E-Seal Thread Sealant which is a Soft-Set Thread Sealant with PtFE (seems to be the best option). I hate to have to buy a coupling when I can't get it apart.
This time I used some exhaust thread sealant on the elbow thread to see if that will help with being able to remove the coupling easier. I hate to have to buy a coupling when I can't get it apart. Brand name: Gasoila E-Seal Thread Sealant which is a Soft-Set Thread Sealant with PtFE (seems to be the best option). I hate to have to buy a coupling when I can't get it apart.