Any suggestions as to where to start looking for an answer to the problem of why I don't get hot water when the engine runs for a while? the 2GM20F engine does not over heat, and it runs fine. Raw water enters and discharges as it should. but the water in the hot water tank does not seem to get hot, even after running the engine under load for 2-3 hours. A former boat would heat the water to scalding. Any help on where to start looking will be apprecited.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
J
Jay Hill
Places to look
If the boat was owned previously, you might check that the hot water plumbing for the boat was not connected to the cold water supply. The water heater might work great but if it cant' get to the plumbing it's just hot in the tank. If this is the case, you will definitely need to clean the water heater out thoroughly. I suspect even VA requires some winterizing so you may have already flushed, etc. If not, the winterizer may have disabled the system altogether. I'd check all the possible flow options. Barring the "misconnection" above, here are some options: 1a: Your water heater does not contain a heat exchanger option? You sure it's the right type? It might just be electric, especially if replaced by a previous owner. 1. Engine Water from engine to heater can not flow. Causes: Heat exchanger on engine is clogged, hoses are clogged, impeller inoperative (but engine would probably overheat then), hoses kinked, hoses connected incorrectly. 2. Engine Water can flow to heater, but not through it. Causes: Clogged/corroded heating coil inside heater. Easiest Fix: Replace heater 3. Engine Water can flow to heater and through heater, but not back to engine or exhaust. Cause: Clogged heating water exit hose or engine heat exchanger/exhaust combiner. 4. Hose from engine is connected directly back to engine leaving the water heater out of the loop. 5. Your impeller ingested an iceberg and it's taking several years to melt?
If the boat was owned previously, you might check that the hot water plumbing for the boat was not connected to the cold water supply. The water heater might work great but if it cant' get to the plumbing it's just hot in the tank. If this is the case, you will definitely need to clean the water heater out thoroughly. I suspect even VA requires some winterizing so you may have already flushed, etc. If not, the winterizer may have disabled the system altogether. I'd check all the possible flow options. Barring the "misconnection" above, here are some options: 1a: Your water heater does not contain a heat exchanger option? You sure it's the right type? It might just be electric, especially if replaced by a previous owner. 1. Engine Water from engine to heater can not flow. Causes: Heat exchanger on engine is clogged, hoses are clogged, impeller inoperative (but engine would probably overheat then), hoses kinked, hoses connected incorrectly. 2. Engine Water can flow to heater, but not through it. Causes: Clogged/corroded heating coil inside heater. Easiest Fix: Replace heater 3. Engine Water can flow to heater and through heater, but not back to engine or exhaust. Cause: Clogged heating water exit hose or engine heat exchanger/exhaust combiner. 4. Hose from engine is connected directly back to engine leaving the water heater out of the loop. 5. Your impeller ingested an iceberg and it's taking several years to melt?
AC mode?
Ray: You did not mention if you had tried the water heater in the AC power mode (hooked to shore power). Assuming that there is AC getting to the unit and it still does not work and you have checked out all of Jay's ideas (including removing the ICE BERG). I would check the actual plumbing. I think that many of these original units have started to leak by now and many have been replaced. Several owners did not know how to remove them. There solution was to disconnect the unit to prevent leaking. If this is the problem, I can tell you in order to remove the old unit it comes through the bulkhead under the sink. I just had mine done in the past 60 days. The replacement unit is a S.S. Seaward unit and retails for about $230. Good luck, we would like to hear the outcome of your solution.
Ray: You did not mention if you had tried the water heater in the AC power mode (hooked to shore power). Assuming that there is AC getting to the unit and it still does not work and you have checked out all of Jay's ideas (including removing the ICE BERG). I would check the actual plumbing. I think that many of these original units have started to leak by now and many have been replaced. Several owners did not know how to remove them. There solution was to disconnect the unit to prevent leaking. If this is the problem, I can tell you in order to remove the old unit it comes through the bulkhead under the sink. I just had mine done in the past 60 days. The replacement unit is a S.S. Seaward unit and retails for about $230. Good luck, we would like to hear the outcome of your solution.
B
Bradley Cavedo
What boat, what year?
Our old 1979 H37C had the engine water heat exchanger on the hot water tank but the water would never get above almost warm. Finally, we bought a new water heater and changed nothing else. Water got hot as fire! My point is that some work better than others. What do you have?
Our old 1979 H37C had the engine water heat exchanger on the hot water tank but the water would never get above almost warm. Finally, we bought a new water heater and changed nothing else. Water got hot as fire! My point is that some work better than others. What do you have?
R
Ray Pollard
Thanks, and other info
My boat is an '87 28.5. It does have the proper tank, the AC works fine and heats water very hot, but the heat exchanger doesn't produce it. I am getting good information here and appreciate the suggestions. Others will be welcome! (Last iceberg in VA was a few million years back!)
My boat is an '87 28.5. It does have the proper tank, the AC works fine and heats water very hot, but the heat exchanger doesn't produce it. I am getting good information here and appreciate the suggestions. Others will be welcome! (Last iceberg in VA was a few million years back!)
Don't believe the press
We know what the press is telling you about icebergs in VA. Don't believe anything or everything they say. Check for yourself and make sure.
We know what the press is telling you about icebergs in VA. Don't believe anything or everything they say. Check for yourself and make sure.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.