[C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler

[Scott Thompson]

Since I've never done this, please take with the appropriate dose of 
salt.  But every mechanic I've ever spoken to about removing exhaust 
hose gives the same advice:  Cut it off and replace it rather than try 
to remove it.  I readily admit that I don't know whether cutting it off 
is any easier than the alternatives already mentioned.

Scott

Bill Culbertson wrote:
> Allan,  despite what I thought was careful reading of this thread I've only just now realized you've been talking about the hose leaving the muffler heading aft (despite you having said that clearly up front and describing how you'd already removed the engine->muffler hose - duh).  I wondered why all the push pull directions were backward from what I was envisioning.
> 
> I've forgotten what access is to that exhaust hose on the other side of the hole in the vertical section of liner it passes through immediately leaving the muffler heading aft.  I thought it was right there under one of those access boards for the water pump or strut bolts.  If so then maybe that's an easy place to use Bruce's strap wrench suggestion.  Also gets the strap wrench person somewhat out of the way of the person yanking on the muffler.
> 
>  -bill
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Allan Field <Allan.Field at comcast.net>
> To: C320-List <c320-list at catalina320.com>
> Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:53:17 PM
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler
> 
> Great idea!  I have a friend who is coming down to assist so we may give
> this a try.  Again though, the real problem is that the hose fitting is so
> long.  I either need enough room to move the hose aft or the tank forward or
> both to get the hose off of the fitting - that will be the challenge.
> Thanks Bruce. - Allan
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Heyman
> Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 2:11 PM
> To: 'C320-List'
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler
> 
> Allan,
> (this time with your name spelled right...sorry)  I was at the boat
> yesterday and can see why Catalina has to make a "special" to fit into that
> space.  It looks to me like you would be able to fit a strap wrench on the
> hose, just past the pipe to the muffler.  You should then be able to apply
> heat while also twisting the hose to break the connection.
> Bruce
> Somerset #671 SoCal
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan Field
> Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2007 4:27 PM
> To: 'C320-List'
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler
> 
> 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
>>
>>
> 
> 
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