[C320-list] Exhaust elbow

[Allan S. Field]

Dave - I replaced the muffler the year before but only because it was
leaking.  I see no reason to do that as a preemptive strike but others may
want to weigh in differently on that.  Replacing the muffler was a very
nasty job as a lot of things had to be moved out of the way in order to get
the old one out (although the new one did go in much easier). - Allan

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Dave Anderer
Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 8:42 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Exhaust elbow

Ok, I buy the replace-now argument on the elbow.  And you've
anticipated my next question - the muffler.

Is pulling the muffler and inspecting it likely to be a useful
exercise?  Or better just to replace it based on time?

On Sat, Nov 28, 2009 at 6:13 PM, Jon Vez <jonvez at comcast.net> wrote:
> I agree with Jeff on this one! I plan on replacing my exhaust elbow AND
the
> muffler this winter as a precautionary exercise. I have about 600 hours on
> my '99 and I've checked my exhaust elbow and cleaned it up every other
> season--it's been fine, but like Jeff says, I'd rather do it now than when
> I'm in the Gulf of Maine during my preciously short sailing season!
>
> Regards,
>
> Jon Vez
> Solstice #582
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Hare
> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 5:21 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Exhaust elbow
>
> What I think people have experienced is pinholes that can be hard or
> impossible to detect until they really start leaking.
>
> Here's one scenario that isn't hard to imagine.   When it goes, you'll be
on
> your way to some destination or nice daysail somewhere.  Maybe its a long
> trip you planned for a while.  It'll probably start to fill the bilge and
> float the floorboards before you notice. You won't notice the bilge pump
> because the engine will be running. You'll be alarmed thinking a thru-hull
> is leaking or broke.   Etc....     Unnecessary stress in my opinion.
>
> In the end, you'd be happier to be able to replace questionable parts on
> *your* schedule rather than on "the  emergency plan".  :)
>
> Boats aren't great platforms to try to squeeze every last drop of life out
> of each part (in my opinion).   I love it when I get through an entire 2
> week cruise and nothing breaks.
>
> I'd say replace it.  And just cross that part off your list of concerns
for
> many years.   I'll be doing that next year and our 2001 Yanmar has less
than
> 275 hours on it.
>
> -Jeff
>
> ------Original Message------
> From: Dave Anderer
> Sender: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
> To: c320-list
> ReplyTo: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Exhaust elbow
> Sent: Nov 28, 2009 3:28 PM
>
> With the boat out of the water it is time to start the winter-list.  Only
4
> months to get it all done.
>
> When we bought the boat 4 years ago it had about 375 hours on the Yanmar.
>  The surveyor was quite concerned about the corrosion on the exhaust
elbow.
>  He wouldn't commit as to how long it would last before total failure.
>  Wouldn't even comment on if it would last the 6 hours to get the boat
back
> to our dock.  I bought some muffler repair tape and crossed my fingers.
 We
> made it, I pulled the elbow, and buffed the corrosion off in about 30
> seconds.  Just light surface corrosion.
>
> (This surveyor took the same approach on several other issues - they sky
was
> falling, but he wouldn't venture a guess as to when it would hit us.  As
> I've pulled things apart I've concluded his concerns were pretty much all
> unwarranted.  Waste of money.)
>
> I put the elbow back in.  We've now put another 440 hours on it - TT is
just
> over 800 hours.  I pulled the elbow today.  Same surface corrosion (though
a
> couple spots bother me).  No evident carbon restriction in the manifold or
> the elbow.  We run consistently at 2800 RPM and have observed no problems
> with the engine.
>
> Don't know if I'll bother replacing the elbow now or not.
>
> Pictures of the process are at
> http://www.catalina320.com/mediagallery/album.php?aid=236&page=1
>
>
>