[C320-list] C320-list Digest, Vol 1455, Issue 1

[pat reynolds]

Alan and Rollie,  My original 1995 model muffler developed a leak at the neck of the intake tube after 13 years.  I made temporary fixes but then called Catalina and asked if they wanted me to send it so they could send a duplicate.  They said no,  just send them photos.  This was a mistake as the replacement did not fit the footprint of the original but after a little work I made it fit.  This lasted about one and a half seasons and while cruising this started to leak badly from underneath.  I had this looked at and was told the laminate was very thin and cracks developed at both the bottom and the top (I could actually notice the top flexing).  The repair has lasted about 2 seasons and now it is again leaking from underneath.
 
When I removed the original I did break off the intake neck and I also noticed the interior baffel was loose.  I was able to successfully remove the replacement for the repair but do not intend to remove this one until  I have a replacement.  Needless to say I am unhappy with the Catalina replacement and intend to call Catalina. I still have the original and will send that to them if I order from them.  My problem is that I have already paid the rather expensive Chicago to Mackinac race fees and that race is on July 21st so I would like something before then.

From: Alan Goodman <goodmanalanlee at hotmail.com>
To: c320-list at lists.catalina320.com 
Sent: Friday, June 29, 2012 3:12 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] C320-list Digest, Vol 1455, Issue 1


While waiting for an answer to Rollie's question, I developed a severe leak in my aqua lift muffler at 1100 hours while on an extended trip last summer.  the leak occurred at the seam between the bottom flat panel and at one of the sides of the muffler box.  (think of the muffler as an inverted shoe box without any side flaps on the cover).  Being 150 miles from home and in the middle of nowhere with a leak that caused the bilge pump to run 50% of the time, I decided I had no choice but to make an "in-field repair".  Once the muffle was removed, the crack was very apparent to the naked eye, but I found that using the
pressure side of my shop vac pressurized the muffler enough to open up 
the crack and help confirm the extent of the failure and that there was not a second failure site.  Perhaps if your leak is in the same place, you can save your existing muffler.  I have about a 100 hours on the repair and still (knock on wood) absolutely no leakage.  I used a dremel to rout out the seam (but not all the way through) being careful to not remove any of the side portion of the muffler box (so rout at the seam removing from the flat bottom panel and just rough up the side portion to provide a good surface for adhesion.  depending on the seam width, you are generally removing old factory adhesive.  My first repair failed after 10 or so engine hours  ... the first epoxy I used (all I had with me in the middle of nowhere) was not suitable for continuous contact with water or elevated temperature. I will be at the boat this weekend and can check the epoxy I successfully used.  the hardest part of the repair is removing the muffler
 without breaking the inlet and outlet tubes where they attach to the muffler box (should that happen, you are sunk (pun intended).  That cannot be repaired since it requires access to the inside of the muffler during initial manufacture.)  I ended up removing the exhaust elbow and then the muffler so as to limit the stress on the outlet tubes where they attach to the muffler box.  This provided me an opportunity to inspect and clean the exhaust elbow.  Feel free to contact me off list.  
Alan Holland MI hull #67.


> Where does it leak?? Same as the first one? 
> 
> Rollie? #182 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> 
> 
> From: "pat reynolds" <lorasalum at yahoo.com> 
> To: c320-list at catalina320.com 
> Sent: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 10:17:53 AM 
> Subject: [C320-list] muffler 
> 
> I am on my second catalina muffler and it has developed a leak.? Has anyone replaced the muffler with a metal one?? I have a 1995 model #249