[C320-list] Muffler leaks and drainage

[Graeme Clark]

Thanks all, for replies and comments so far.

I’m pretty sure that it’s not a fuel leak as there is no evidence of any fuel beneath the engine or the shaft. Water, of course, runs away and evaporates without trace, and there is a drip from the stern-gland anyway, which may mask other leaks, so its not always obvious where it has come from, but any fuel leak would leave evidence - an oily residue etc.

There is no obvious sign of a leak from the muffler but i will pressure test it as suggested to be sure. However I suspect that it is sound. If that is the case, then reinforcement will be exactly that - reinforcement, not repair. Some of your comments and the articles on the website have given me a good feel for how to do that.

I do get water in the bilge after the engine has been running, but it doesn't really smell of exhaust or fuel. (nor is there a film of fuel on the surface)

as far as I am aware there is no fuel lines routed anywhere near the galley sink. I think the smell is coming from the exhaust hose that is between the muffler and the hull outlet. Any liquid in that area will find its way to the bilge but firstly has to run between the inner and outer skins and  because of the construction of the pan where the engine bearers are, it has to route around the port side of the engine bay and that takes it under the galley sink.

I have probably wrongly described it as a smell of fuel - it is more an exhaust smell really. Although the carbon monoxide detector has never triggered, (i don't think diesel engines produce much CO if I recall correctly)

So basically its a matter of me checking everything and replacing an old hose anyway.

the only other culprit might be the hoses to/from the water calories, but i cannot see why they would have any smell; its cooling water which is closed system, that heats the calorifer I think?

I’ll report back after testing the muffler and refitting with new hoses, next spring.

Graeme