[C320-list] Mixing elbow failure

[Doug Treff]

All, 

Just a follow-up on this matter. My marina manager advised me to contact
my insurer (Boat / US) and they had a surveyor out there today to
inspect the damage before repairs or clean-up were attempted. 

What actually failed was not the mixing elbow. The threaded section of
exhaust between the manifold and the elbow snapped. But it was
apparently leaking beforehand and that is what caused the sooty mess.
They did find seawater in my cylinders and they removed that and sprayed
some oil in the cylinders and worked the engine manually to prevent
corrosion until repairs can be made. My exhaust system from the engine
to the muffler will need to be replaced, along with an oil change and a
clean air filter element since the old one was all sooted up. The
surveyor said he's never seen one fail like this before. 

Most likely the soot clean-up will be done professionally for only the
cost of my deductible. I will only have to pay for the engine repairs.
As my deductible is only $137, it's worth it to me to have it
professionally cleaned. My yard does great work and I'm sure it will be
cleaner than I could ever manage. 

Have any of you out there gone with the stainless mixing elbow instead
of the cast iron, and how do you like it? 

---
Doug Treff
Catalina 320 - 1996 - September Song - #350
http://savvysailor.blogspot.com/
doug at treff.us

On 2015-08-18 10:58, jim brown wrote: 

> Simple Green might work OK. If not I swear by Zep Heavy Duty Citrus Degreaser from Home Depot for those times when the regular stuff doesn't cut it. It really does remove grease, oil, exhaust soot very well. 
> 
> Jim Brown
> 
> From: Doug Treff <doug at treff.us>
> To: C320 List <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> 
> Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 9:49 AM
> Subject: [C320-list] Mixing elbow failure
> 
> All, 
> 
> I had the misfortune of suffering a failure of the mixing elbow this
> weekend. Apparently it partially clogged and exhaust was leaking into
> the engine compartment. Fortunately I was able to run it very gently
> back to the slip by keeping the RPMS low. The engine temp never went
> over 180 and I continued to have a strong amount of water coming out of
> the exhaust port on the hull. 
> 
> I have a mechanic looking at it this week to give me the official
> diagnosis but based on what I could see, it was the mixing elbow. I just
> hope that the head gasket wasn't blown due to excessive back pressure. 
> 
> Unfortunately now my entire engine compartment is covered in a layer of
> soot. I am thinking Simple Green might clean it but I am open to
> suggestions if you have any. Wiping down the entire engine and all of
> its nooks and crannies sounds like a time consuming and nasty job.