I've got a Catalina 320 with the perkins m30 engine. There seems to be water coming from the underside of the muffler. (where it's screwed down) I can't see any leaks around the top sides. The muffler is the white fiberglass box type. I know others have had problems with their mufflers. What I'm wondering is if it's common to be leaking from the underside, or where have you had leaks? I have to admit that I'm in a bit of denial about there being anything wrong...but there does seem to be that water..... If it does have a crack in it, can I just fix it by fiberglassing over the bad spot? Last question...Are there any tricks to getting the inlet and outlet hoses off the muffler so I can get it out? Thanks for any help. RG Miller Pretender #197
I might have a leak in my muffler
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Leaks
RG - Are you sure the muffler is leaking? Are you in salt-seawater? If so - is it a salt-water leak? If the muffler is leaking, I would imagine there would be a significant amount of noise coming from it as well - is there? I had a similar issue on my C-30 last year and it turned out the source of the leak was a faulty sea cock just above the muffler. It was leaking and seeped down and under the muffler. Anyway, if you do want to remove the muffler - I would say the best way to get the hoses off is to cut them free just above the fittings. Hopefully you will have enough hose left over to get them back on. Rob
RG - Are you sure the muffler is leaking? Are you in salt-seawater? If so - is it a salt-water leak? If the muffler is leaking, I would imagine there would be a significant amount of noise coming from it as well - is there? I had a similar issue on my C-30 last year and it turned out the source of the leak was a faulty sea cock just above the muffler. It was leaking and seeped down and under the muffler. Anyway, if you do want to remove the muffler - I would say the best way to get the hoses off is to cut them free just above the fittings. Hopefully you will have enough hose left over to get them back on. Rob
Damndest thing
I inquired about this for a friend last month and was steered to the AC air ducts, which seemed improbable. The leak is not coming from the fresh water tank, but it seems like fresh water not brackish. Surely others have had this problem as well. Any solutions?
I inquired about this for a friend last month and was steered to the AC air ducts, which seemed improbable. The leak is not coming from the fresh water tank, but it seems like fresh water not brackish. Surely others have had this problem as well. Any solutions?
Could be a drain screw
Many mufflers have a drain screw so you can empty the water for winter layup. Perhaps the screw is leaking or missing.
Many mufflers have a drain screw so you can empty the water for winter layup. Perhaps the screw is leaking or missing.
Condensation?
If it is fresh water that is dripping, then it is either your fresh water system or condensation. As to removing the hoses and repairing the muffler, a heat gun will soften the hose ends to assist with removal (don't over heat!) and the muffler, after normal prep, will be repairable with fiberglass tape and resin. Check it for leaks with a spritzing of soapy water while lightly applying air pressure. Any leaks will show up as foamy bubbles. Alternatively, immerse it in a bucket of water and lightly pressurize, you will see a bubble stream.
If it is fresh water that is dripping, then it is either your fresh water system or condensation. As to removing the hoses and repairing the muffler, a heat gun will soften the hose ends to assist with removal (don't over heat!) and the muffler, after normal prep, will be repairable with fiberglass tape and resin. Check it for leaks with a spritzing of soapy water while lightly applying air pressure. Any leaks will show up as foamy bubbles. Alternatively, immerse it in a bucket of water and lightly pressurize, you will see a bubble stream.
Hey Landsend;
That's what I'm hoping is the problem. There is evidence that I've had some water leak by at the hose connection on the inlet. I've tightened the two clamps and there is no water coming out with the motor running at the dock. Yesterday I dried the water laying around the muffler and then ran the motor. Nothing came out from around the hose but some water came out from under the muffler.My first thought was that water leaks by at the hose when under more pressure and the water that came out from the muffler was just water that was caught under it after I dried what had already come out. I've got my fingers crossed but want to hear from other experiences. It doesn't look like it would be too bad a job.....If I could get those hoses off without breaking something...lol... RG.
That's what I'm hoping is the problem. There is evidence that I've had some water leak by at the hose connection on the inlet. I've tightened the two clamps and there is no water coming out with the motor running at the dock. Yesterday I dried the water laying around the muffler and then ran the motor. Nothing came out from around the hose but some water came out from under the muffler.My first thought was that water leaks by at the hose when under more pressure and the water that came out from the muffler was just water that was caught under it after I dried what had already come out. I've got my fingers crossed but want to hear from other experiences. It doesn't look like it would be too bad a job.....If I could get those hoses off without breaking something...lol... RG.
Any ideas Stu Jackson?
I was hoping you might have some ideas on this subject Stu. I searched the archives but didn't get too much help. Don't mind taking off the muffler but am afraid of screwing something up trying to get the very stiff 11 inch hose between the muffler and exhaust riser off. RG.
I was hoping you might have some ideas on this subject Stu. I searched the archives but didn't get too much help. Don't mind taking off the muffler but am afraid of screwing something up trying to get the very stiff 11 inch hose between the muffler and exhaust riser off. RG.
I had a leak...
I had a pin hole leak in the muffler on my 2005 310. I removed the muffler, pressurized it with air and located the leak with soapy water. I then sanded the area and cleaned with 202 Solvent and Acetone and applied JB-Weld to the pin hole. It never leaked again though Catalina did send me a replacement, under warranty, even after I fixed it.. It's an easy fix once you locate the hole!
I had a pin hole leak in the muffler on my 2005 310. I removed the muffler, pressurized it with air and located the leak with soapy water. I then sanded the area and cleaned with 202 Solvent and Acetone and applied JB-Weld to the pin hole. It never leaked again though Catalina did send me a replacement, under warranty, even after I fixed it.. It's an easy fix once you locate the hole!
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