[C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler

[Allan Field]

David - My son-in-law, who knows about these things, recommended heat.  The
fitting on the forward end of the muffler is probably 3 inches long.  I was
able to get the hose up 2 inches but then the hose was bent against the
transmission and would not go any further.  So I heated the hose at the
bend, that made the hose more pliable, and I was able to get it that last
inch while continuing to apply heat at the hose end also.

I have already purchased the replacement which in retrospect probably was a
dumb move.  The current muffler failed in less than 450 engine hours.  Why
would I think that I would get any longer out of a new muffler of the same
make and model...  Only a fool repeats the same behavior over and over
again, expecting a different outcome each time.  Guess we know what that
makes me!  If and when muffler #2 fails, I'll be back on the list looking
for a different option. And this has made me re-think the wisdom of sending
muffler #1 back to Catalina for repair and then keeping as a spare.

Allan S. Field
Sea Shadow - #808
Columbia, MD

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of David Nolte
Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2007 3:26 PM
To: C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler

Allan,

I'm curious as to why you are applying heat. Does it make the hose  
more pliable in our current moderately cold temps?

It would seem to me that heating the hose would cause it and the  
exhaust outlet to expand, thus making the seal tighter and more  
difficult to remove the hose.

I have seen guys at a local boatyard use a tool (I'd love to get one)  
that looks something like an enlarged dentist's pick, which they  
slide into the hose end to pry the hose off of fittings. I'll look to  
see if I can find anything like that in a catalog.

Are you replacing the muffler or having it serviced? When I bought  
Beach House (#4), I inherited a very good mechanic, whose first  
recommendation to me was to replace the muffler. The former owners  
had sent it back to Catalina several times for repair. The repairs  
never worked for very long. Late in my first season with the boat the  
muffler went up again. I chucked it and my mechanic put an off the  
shelf model in, which has worked fine for more than 3 years. If  
you're interested, I'll try to  find out the make & model.

Happy Holidays,

David Nolte
Beach House #4
Severna Park, MD






On Dec 25, 2007, at 8:18 AM, Allan Field wrote:

> I am in the midst of replacing the Aqua Lift muffler and am looking  
> for
> advice from those who have gone before.  Using a hairdryer, I was  
> able to
> get the hose from the engine to the muffler off after a nominal  
> struggle.
> The problem is getting the hose from the muffler to the exhaust  
> outlet off.
> There simply is not enough room to get my hand in to pry the thing  
> off no
> matter how much I heat the hose.
>
> It seems to me that I have 3 options.  Obviously, I am looking for  
> either
> the option that works or the one I have not thought of!
>
> 1.	Unscrew the muffler from the base, heat up the hose, and try to pry
> the muffler off the hose by tugging and wiggling the muffler  
> towards the
> engine.  I am not sure there is enough room to do this nor am I  
> sure that
> the hose will come forward a few inches with me (or if that even  
> matters).
>
> 2.	Working with another person who is applying constant heat to the
> hose, climb down into the aft locker and try to pull the thing off by
> pulling aft.  I am not sure I can get the proper leverage from this  
> position
> however.
>
> 3.	Cut the hose off and replace it with a new one.
>
> Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.
>
> Allan S. Field
> Sea Shadow - #808
> Columbia, MD
>
>