[C320-list] Brown Smoke from Exhaust WAS caused by exhaust elbow

[Annie Bennett]

Rick, you would have won your bet!  It WAS the exhaust elbow.  The mechanic was able to clean out the carbon and all is now fine - although I've ordered a new elbow for him to fit on the next service.
Thank you very much to Rick and others who replied to my email.
Kind regards
Annie 
#1073

On 24/09/2013, at 12:11 PM, Rick From Inflate Co <rick at inflateco.com> wrote:

> My bet is 99% it is the exhaust elbow NOT the injectors . Those oil carbon like spots left in the water are called lily pads by experienced mechanics and a sure tell tale indication it's a $400 elbow repair instead of a $2500 injector issue .  Only 4 bolts hold on the elbow, even I was able to remove, buy one and put back on. She started out like yours, just some black or brown smoke and some spotting on the water and over the next 4 weekends got enormously worse. Those elbows MUST be replaced as they clog with carbon that hardens like steel . If not old it can be sandblasted , but usually too much metal damage . 
> 
> I gained a 30% increase in power once I replaced it.
> 
> I hope that's all it is and I hope I was of some help
> 
> Rick
> NEMO #235
> Dana Point 
> 
> Thank you and please excuse any grammatical and/or  typographical  as sent from iPhone.
> 
> Rick Portanova | President | CEO
> INFLATE CO, INC.
> www.InflateCo.com
> 949-340-0104 Office
> 
> 
> On Sep 23, 2013, at 4:11 PM, "Dingo Is Talent" <dingoistalent at bigpond.com> wrote:
> 
>> HI Annie
>> I had exact same problem recently and it WAS the exhaust elbow where sea
>> water mix in ...corroded so bad put back pressure on exhaust causing black
>> brown smoke.
>> Replaced...now perfect
>> DINGO Down Under - Perth Western Australia 
>> 1150
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Annie Bennett
>> Sent: Monday, 23 September 2013 9:08 PM
>> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Brown Smoke from Exhaust
>> 
>> Can anyone give me a pointer on the meaning of brown smoke from exhaust.
>> 
>> Today was my second day out on Topcat after a month overseas.  Topcat's
>> engine was serviced just before we went away.  This morning before going out
>> I checked the oil and all was fine.  I thought the coolant might be a bit
>> low in the visible container and called the mechanic to see if he could
>> change it as I noticed in the engine log it hasn't been changed for a while.
>> The wind was light so I motored for a couple of hours - all fine - then
>> sailed with the engine off for another hour and only turned the engine back
>> on for the last 15 minutes for getting the sails down and coming into the
>> mooring.  In the last 5 minutes I noticed some white smoke.  It must be
>> smoke not condensation as it was a very warm day and the engine was warm.
>> There was no smoke earlier in the day.  
>> 
>> After my guests had gone ashore I decided to turn the engine back on to test
>> it, initially nothing, just the normal water, but then white smoke came out
>> - no smell.  Still In neutral I turned the revs up to 28 and then brown
>> smoke started coming out and there was a faint oily residue on the water
>> that I think but am not certain came from Topcat.  I turned the engine off.
>> I wanted to double check before calling the mechanic that I really had a
>> problem and turned the engine back on, still in neutral revved again.  First
>> nothing, then  white smoke then quite a lot of brown smoke again but this
>> time a slight burning rubber smell.  I've turned it off and the mechanic is
>> hopefully coming tomorrow afternoon.  Plenty of water is coming out as
>> normal.  The impeller was changed in the service in August and today is only
>> the second time I've been out since the service.  Someone at the marina
>> wondered if the smoke could be caused by my fouling the propellor on
>> something in the water but he changed his mind when I said the brown smoke
>> came out when revving in neutral.  Does anyone have any ideas that might
>> help the mechanic.  I've done about 1000 hours.  My googling suggests it
>> might have something to do with fuel injectors.  If so is this a big /
>> difficult / time consuming problem for a mechanic to fix?  I'm hoping not as
>> I have a charter booked for a birthday on Wednesday and I'm hoping I won't
>> have to cancel and let them down.  Ive never had a problem with smoke of any
>> colour before.
>> 
>> Thanks in advance to anyone for their help / advice.
>> 
>> Kind regards
>> Annie Bennett
>> Topcat #1073
>> 
>