[C320-list] Repairing Water Muffler

[mike gutshall]

One additional note, remove the four screws securing the muffler to the hull before you attempt to remove the hoses.  This allows for the necessary movement as you twist and pull the hoses and take the torque and stress off of the exhaust elbow.  And yes, the hair dryer is essential.

mike g
Alibi #401
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jon Vez<mailto:jonvez at comcast.net> 
  To: C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com> 
  Sent: Saturday, November 22, 2008 8:29 AM
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Repairing Water Muffler


  Thanks Allan. This does help. My biggest concern is removing that aft hose
  as I do have experience removing the one that comes off the exhaust elbow. I
  looks so tight back there that I wasn't sure how I was going to get a grip
  on that hose to get it off. As I recall there is very little play with that
  hose.

  I couldn't agree more with those who have lamented this muffler
  setup--especially with the seemingly chronic failure rate.

  Regards,

  Jon Vez
  Solstice #582

  -----Original Message-----
  From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com<mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com>
  [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan S. Field
  Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 6:48 PM
  To: C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com>
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Repairing Water Muffler

  Jon - I removed the muffler in the winter cold.  The hoses need to come off
  the aft part of the muffler AND at the exhaust elbow (unfortunately) AND at
  the forward part of the muffler as that is the only way the entire unit will
  eventually lift out of its space.  If you try to leave the hose on the
  exhaust elbow, the muffler will not come clear, at least on my Yanmar
  3GM30F.

  I also had to move wiring harnesses and the hoses to the hot water heater.
  But getting the hoses off the muffler and exhaust elbow went fairly easy
  after heating the hoses (about 10-15 minutes on each end) on high heat with
  Linda's hair dryer.  I used a LOT of dish soap around the inside of the
  hoses when reapplying them and that also went easy, again pre-heating them
  with the hair dryer.  My memory is that one of the hoses - I believe the aft
  one - literally fell off the fitting once the hose clamp(s) was removed.

  Getting the muffler out of its space was awful.  It took a considerable
  amount of twisting, bending, forcing and cursing to get it out.  But going
  back in was a piece of cake - I could have dropped it in and am not sure I
  fully understand why...

  The only problem I had later on in the spring was blowing soap bubbles out
  the exhaust as I left the marina.

  Hope this helps.

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

  PS - Just kidding about the bubbles...

  -----Original Message-----
  From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com<mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com>
  [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jon Vez
  Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 7:07 AM
  To: C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com>
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Repairing Water Muffler

  Allan,

  Your test of the muffler intrigues me (not in a good way). I'm thinking I
  may want to try the same thing now that I'm not sailing. Although I have
  never seen any real sign of water leaks from the muffler, I'm always worried
  one will pop up right before I take off for a cruise--any tips on removing
  the muffler? I've always wondered what the easiest way is to get the aft
  hose off?? Thanks in advance...

  Regards,

  Jon Vez
  Solstice #582

  -----Original Message-----
  From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com<mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com>
  [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Allan S. Field
  Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 5:40 AM
  To: C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com>
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Repairing Water Muffler

  I cannot prove this but believe that my aqua lift came from the factory with
  a leak around the screw hole where the muffler mounts to the boat.  I always
  had a wet bilge despite all the fiddling I did with the packing gland,
  including upgrading to the dripless.  Finally, after my motor mount brackets
  started to show signs of rust, I pulled the muffler and found the leak
  around the bottom at the screw hole.  I only found this when I filled the
  thing with water at home and let it sit on the garage floor.  Instead of
  fixing the old one, I ordered a new one from the factory.  I have the old
  one still and probably will give a fix a try someday.

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

  -----Original Message-----
  From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com<mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com>
  [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Stanley
  Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 3:40 AM
  To: C320-List at catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at catalina320.com>
  Subject: Re: [C320-list] Repairing Water Muffler

  Peter
  that is a new boat (#1096) and it should not be troubled with a leaking
  AquaLift Muffler!
  any clues as to how this happened?

  Bruce Stanley / C320 2006 #1084 / Sydney Australia
  =====================================================

  On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 9:42 AM, Peter & Barbara Sheerin <
  sheerinp at bigpond.net.au<mailto:sheerinp at bigpond.net.au>> wrote:

  > Bill I seem to have a leak from muffler again. We previously checked for
  > leaking, and found a leak from one of the bolt down holes. We re glassed
  the
  > hole and re located it. I don't know if this is the same problem. Maybe
  you
  > can give me some clues. Peter Sheerin #1096
  > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Walter Schaffer" <bohpilot at yahoo.com<mailto:bohpilot at yahoo.com>>
  > To: <C320-List at Catalina320.com<mailto:C320-List at Catalina320.com>>
  > Sent: Friday, November 21, 2008 1:42 AM
  > Subject: Re: [C320-list] Repairing Water Muffler
  >
  >
  >  Karl, if you send your email address, I'd be glad to forward my saga on
  >> repairing Aqualift muffler.  You can use what ever part you want for your
  >> Mainsheet article.
  >> tks
  >> Bill Schaffer
  >> Bohemian II, C320 hull #515
  >> email: bohpilot at yahoo.com<mailto:bohpilot at yahoo.com>
  >>
  >>
  >> --- On Sun, 11/16/08, Karl Mielenhausen _/) <c320 at suddenlink.net<mailto:c320 at suddenlink.net>> wrote:
  >>
  >>  From: Karl Mielenhausen _/) <c320 at suddenlink.net<mailto:c320 at suddenlink.net>>
  >>> Subject: [C320-list] Repairing Water Muffler
  >>> To: "C320IA Discussion List" <C320-List at catalina320.org<mailto:C320-List at catalina320.org>>
  >>> Date: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 9:44 AM
  >>> I'm preparing a Mainsheet article on repair of the
  >>> Catalina Aqualift muffler. Mine recently developed a crack
  >>> in the underside of the base. Easily removed and repaired. A
  >>> C36 owner assisted me as he had been through the same
  >>> problem, although his cracks were in a different location
  >>> (exposed portion of the base aa well as inside the mounting
  >>> holes). I have also heard of cracks to the hose tube.
  >>> Please send me comments about your experiences.
  >>>
  >>> If anyone wants to write an article about replacement of
  >>> this muffler with another unit (e.g. Vetus), we'd be
  >>> happy to publish it.
  >>>
  >>> Thanks....
  >>>
  >>> --Karl Mielenhausen
  >>> Catalina 320 Hull 690
  >>> New Bern, NC
  >>>
  >>
  >>
  >>
  >>
  >>
  >