[C320-list] Mixing elbow failure

[Rick Sulewski]

Doug, Please let us know if Boat US covers this incident where a
pre-existing leak due to a part failure and results in damage and repairs is
covered  by your insurance policy. I find that surprising, but may explain
why Boat US rates are so much higher than other options. Also, please let us
know under what portion of the policy applies in your instance as I may want
to reconsider Boat US as an insurer.
Thanks,
Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
Of Doug Treff
Sent: Tuesday, August 18, 2015 3:12 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Mixing elbow failure

 

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.