Mixing elbow rubbing on cabinetry

[aaronaxvig]

I noticed some water in the aft cabin of my Hunter 376 yesterday. The mixing elbow on the engine runs against the inside of the aft engine access panel. The hose took the hardest part of this rubbing and developed a small hole which water was trickling out of.

I will replace the hose obviously.

Is that tight clearance normal? It seems like if the mixing elbow was turned slightly to the side then it would be better. Should I try to do that?

Picture included.

 

[FastOlson]

Short answer is to put a layer of larger hose over it as chafe guard. You could perhaps relieve the wood in that area a little bit as well, but like all other places where you have engine wiring and hose connections next to anything, just add some protection. In this case a larger OD piece of reinforced hose (split) could be sleeved over it and held in place by plastic tie wraps.
There is always some movement or vibration to allow for.

 

[kloudie1]

The ell can be oriented so it does not hit stuff by turning the adapter and or the ell. The adapter is threaded left on one end and right on the other so ya have to be careful to not loosen the thing so that to leaks.
Fast is right, but i’d move the ell to make it not hit anything.
EDIT: The elk is now an ell or an eel or whatever spellcheck does to it !
When ya do re-orient the elk (!) watch the hose clearance on the coupling.. looks pretty close from the picture!

 

[FastOlson]

A "disoriented elk"... they are the worst kind! (I realize that you were bit by auto spell, but it was too funny to pass up!)

 

[Benny17441]

Not uncommon that the designed tolerances and clearances are not followed in the assembly process. Check the engine mounts as the engine could be rocking more than usual. A visual inspection will not be adequate, get a lever and pry the engine to stretch the mounts.

 

[Gabor15908]

I have the same situation on my 376. The sound insulation has been worn off by the mixing elbow rubbing the engine cover.
Not a big issue until all the insulation has been worn off and it starts banging the plywood engine cover. You can always try to turn the elbow slightly to create a bit of clearance.

 

[aaronaxvig]

Got the hose replaced today but couldn't figure out what sort of wrench would be able to engage on that huge coupler and have enough leverage to turn it with the very limited maneuvering space. So I will trim the wood. My problem was mostly with the elbow touching the solid wood strip screwed to the plywood (reinforcing?) so I will probably just shave that down. Didn't get to it today since changing that hose out exhausted me.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Hate to say it but it would be easier to remove the elbow when you try to adjust the angle.

 

[seadaddler]

I would remove it before turning it and put it in a big vise and use some kind of
thread blaster.
If you try turning it while bolted to engine you could do damage like break one
of the 4 bolts that go into back of engine.
Nick

 

[splax]

remove the elbow from the engine (the 4 bolts), put it in a vise, spray with PB Blaster, use pipe wrench to carefully adjust the angle (examination of the threads will give you the correct direction to loosen)
after you take it back to the boat and realize you need to readjust, it won't be that difficult...