I have traced a saltwater leak to be coming from the muffler of our 84 H31. Can anyone tell me how to get to it. Am I going to have to cut through the hull liner? Thanks, Bob
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Not much help but...
Bob: I may not be too much help here but I'll try. First, there is no liner in the area of the muffler. So depending on where the leak really is, it should not be too much of a problem. I would suggest that you find the exact source of the leak first. You should be able to put a fiberglass patch over the leaking area. The biggest problem is going to be draining the muffler. It is molded into the hull. You may need to just remove the exhaust hose and somehow drain the muffler (there is no drain on it). I would assume that a wet/dry vac should do the job.
Bob: I may not be too much help here but I'll try. First, there is no liner in the area of the muffler. So depending on where the leak really is, it should not be too much of a problem. I would suggest that you find the exact source of the leak first. You should be able to put a fiberglass patch over the leaking area. The biggest problem is going to be draining the muffler. It is molded into the hull. You may need to just remove the exhaust hose and somehow drain the muffler (there is no drain on it). I would assume that a wet/dry vac should do the job.
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Perry
Call your insurance agent
First thing I would do if you have done nothing to cause the leak, is call your insurance agent. In all instances leaks do not just happen. There is always a cuase, and most probably the result of an accident (hit something, grounding, etc.) I had one caused by the factory installing the cabin sole to the hull with a much longer than necessary bolt. Which over time (my Hunter is an 83) caused the hull to crack and a hole developed. It was not covered by insurance (latent manufacturers defect) but the haul-out inspection and re-paint was covered. Hole repair was less than $300 out of my pocket. The "other expenses totaled more than $1800.00 Call your agent.
First thing I would do if you have done nothing to cause the leak, is call your insurance agent. In all instances leaks do not just happen. There is always a cuase, and most probably the result of an accident (hit something, grounding, etc.) I had one caused by the factory installing the cabin sole to the hull with a much longer than necessary bolt. Which over time (my Hunter is an 83) caused the hull to crack and a hole developed. It was not covered by insurance (latent manufacturers defect) but the haul-out inspection and re-paint was covered. Hole repair was less than $300 out of my pocket. The "other expenses totaled more than $1800.00 Call your agent.
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Marc Kraus
leak fix
Had a similar problem on my '84 H31. Probable cause was improper winterization. Maybe not the cause in your case. However, had a horizontal crack on the edge adjacent to the well and a vertical crack where the stringer and muffler meet. Gouged the cracks open, layed down a few layers of 8 oz cloth and marinetex'd over that. No more problems. Another possible cause could be hull flex ( crack at stringer)
Had a similar problem on my '84 H31. Probable cause was improper winterization. Maybe not the cause in your case. However, had a horizontal crack on the edge adjacent to the well and a vertical crack where the stringer and muffler meet. Gouged the cracks open, layed down a few layers of 8 oz cloth and marinetex'd over that. No more problems. Another possible cause could be hull flex ( crack at stringer)
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Bob Rutland
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Marc Kraus
fix leak
Bob, I'm not sure I understood your question. If you open the starbord cockpit seat on the H31, you expose the mechanical space.Looking into the space, you will see the water heater to your left,a moulded in tray and a well directly below your nose, and the hoses from the muffler to your right and the fuel tank further aft. The area I call the Tray is the original designed location for the batteries. The well provides access to the stringer and is the location where the exhaust hose exits the engine compartment, makes a high loop and enters the aqua muffler. The aqua muffler is moulded into the floor pan the same way the water and holding tank are. The cracks I had were located in the face of the muffler adjacent to the well. If you feel that you have to remove your tank, the only way to do it is to drop the cover over the steering system in the aft berth, clear all the electrical, plumbing and fuel connections from the mechanical side of the partition and remove the partition between the berth and the mechanical space. make sure this is necc. before you do it, it is a BIG job. What is the evidence that you have a leak? Where is the water gathering? Are you sure its from the muffler? I had water in that well constantly. The leak from the muffler I found because I observed water oozing directly from the location. The other water (discolored and dirty) was from deck, port, and stancheon leaks. After I fixed the muffler, I had the water tested for petroleum and combustion byproducts to make sure. If you don't have observed evidence that the leak is from the muffler and are making a best guess, have the water tested. If you see the leak and can reach it, a surface patch will suffice. If you have to open the muffler, here's how you do it. The muffler is moulded into the hull liner. Look at your water and holding tanks. You will see a row of screws around the edge of the cover. The muffler is the same, only the screws are glassed over. Looking closely at the muffler, you will see a raised ridge in a rectangle around the hose entries. this is the buildup of glass over the edge of the cover. Grind this ridge off in a small area, to expose the joint, then follow the joint. Once you have the perimeter exposed, remove the screws. the lid will be sealed down with a very strong caulk. Using wood shingles, drive them under the lid slowly. Allow the shallow wedge to pry up the lid, do not force it. Leave that wedge in place and use another adjacent to the first, repeat as necc. Be patient.
Bob, I'm not sure I understood your question. If you open the starbord cockpit seat on the H31, you expose the mechanical space.Looking into the space, you will see the water heater to your left,a moulded in tray and a well directly below your nose, and the hoses from the muffler to your right and the fuel tank further aft. The area I call the Tray is the original designed location for the batteries. The well provides access to the stringer and is the location where the exhaust hose exits the engine compartment, makes a high loop and enters the aqua muffler. The aqua muffler is moulded into the floor pan the same way the water and holding tank are. The cracks I had were located in the face of the muffler adjacent to the well. If you feel that you have to remove your tank, the only way to do it is to drop the cover over the steering system in the aft berth, clear all the electrical, plumbing and fuel connections from the mechanical side of the partition and remove the partition between the berth and the mechanical space. make sure this is necc. before you do it, it is a BIG job. What is the evidence that you have a leak? Where is the water gathering? Are you sure its from the muffler? I had water in that well constantly. The leak from the muffler I found because I observed water oozing directly from the location. The other water (discolored and dirty) was from deck, port, and stancheon leaks. After I fixed the muffler, I had the water tested for petroleum and combustion byproducts to make sure. If you don't have observed evidence that the leak is from the muffler and are making a best guess, have the water tested. If you see the leak and can reach it, a surface patch will suffice. If you have to open the muffler, here's how you do it. The muffler is moulded into the hull liner. Look at your water and holding tanks. You will see a row of screws around the edge of the cover. The muffler is the same, only the screws are glassed over. Looking closely at the muffler, you will see a raised ridge in a rectangle around the hose entries. this is the buildup of glass over the edge of the cover. Grind this ridge off in a small area, to expose the joint, then follow the joint. Once you have the perimeter exposed, remove the screws. the lid will be sealed down with a very strong caulk. Using wood shingles, drive them under the lid slowly. Allow the shallow wedge to pry up the lid, do not force it. Leave that wedge in place and use another adjacent to the first, repeat as necc. Be patient.
B
Bob Rutland
Hey Marc
The reason I think it could be the muffler is because it only leaks while we are underway. I haven't seen water actually coming from the muffler, but if you open the compartment that exposes the strut bolts, you can see a leak streaming from the aft. The only thing I can think of that would be leaking seawater that far back would be the muffler or the scubber drains, both which are submerged while underway. This weekend I am going to plug the scubber drain exits, then fill them with water at the cockpit drains to test to see if they are leaking into the boat. If thet are not, then I going to check the whole exhaust system while the motor is running and pumping water through it. Let me know what you think and thanks for the help. Bob
The reason I think it could be the muffler is because it only leaks while we are underway. I haven't seen water actually coming from the muffler, but if you open the compartment that exposes the strut bolts, you can see a leak streaming from the aft. The only thing I can think of that would be leaking seawater that far back would be the muffler or the scubber drains, both which are submerged while underway. This weekend I am going to plug the scubber drain exits, then fill them with water at the cockpit drains to test to see if they are leaking into the boat. If thet are not, then I going to check the whole exhaust system while the motor is running and pumping water through it. Let me know what you think and thanks for the help. Bob
Notice any leak while sailing.
Bob: Sounds like you have some good advice here from Marc. You mentioned that it is only leaking while underway. Have you check it when the engine is running at the dock? I would think that you would have the same problem while the engine is running if it is the muffler. The other thing to check is the rudder post. If you remove the aft berth cushions you should be able to see where the water is comming from (I would think). I would imagine that you would have the same effect of pressure on the rudder forcing water up the rudder post while motoring or sailing.
Bob: Sounds like you have some good advice here from Marc. You mentioned that it is only leaking while underway. Have you check it when the engine is running at the dock? I would think that you would have the same problem while the engine is running if it is the muffler. The other thing to check is the rudder post. If you remove the aft berth cushions you should be able to see where the water is comming from (I would think). I would imagine that you would have the same effect of pressure on the rudder forcing water up the rudder post while motoring or sailing.
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Marc Kraus
leak fix 2
If you see a leak thru the hatch over the strut bolts, you are probably aft of the water muffler. The leak would likely be in the scupper/exhaust hose connection. The fix is painful. You have to remove the tank and partition to get back to the starbord side. The port scupper is accessable from the aft berth. You need to be absolutely sure before you start, because its a lot of work. Get an inspection mirror(on a stick) and a neon work light and get into that space above the strut. Check that the strut itself is not leaking. It could be vibrating while under way and leaking. check the water tank connections. I had problems with my water tank leaking around the cover lip and it would leak into the same area. Taste the water (it won't kill you). Basically, check all your options. Dry up the area and slide a paper towel back under the scupper and exhaust outlets. They are the high point. If the towel is dry when you pull it out, youv'e ruled out a suspect.
If you see a leak thru the hatch over the strut bolts, you are probably aft of the water muffler. The leak would likely be in the scupper/exhaust hose connection. The fix is painful. You have to remove the tank and partition to get back to the starbord side. The port scupper is accessable from the aft berth. You need to be absolutely sure before you start, because its a lot of work. Get an inspection mirror(on a stick) and a neon work light and get into that space above the strut. Check that the strut itself is not leaking. It could be vibrating while under way and leaking. check the water tank connections. I had problems with my water tank leaking around the cover lip and it would leak into the same area. Taste the water (it won't kill you). Basically, check all your options. Dry up the area and slide a paper towel back under the scupper and exhaust outlets. They are the high point. If the towel is dry when you pull it out, youv'e ruled out a suspect.
B
Bob Rutland
Thanks
Thanks for the advice. I'll let you guys know what I find after my test and inspections. Thanks, Bob
Thanks for the advice. I'll let you guys know what I find after my test and inspections. Thanks, Bob
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