[C320-list] Muffler leaks and drainage

[Warren Updike]

FYI a Chesapeake neighbor 320 #4 has replaced his Catalina muffler with a Vetus "Water Lock" muffler. I checked with him a few times over the years and he remains happy with it. There are other brands out there. Also, some available on Amazon and marine online stores. 
I don't know the cost of a Catalina muffler. The production units seem to run in the $400-700 range. I haven't really looked into it.

Warren and Pattie Updike
1994 C320 "Warr de Mar" #62
Middle River, Chesapeake Bay

-----Original Message-----
From: pat reynolds [mailto:lorasalum at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Friday, January 13, 2017 3:08 PM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Muffler leaks and drainage

if you have a muffler or muffler hose leak you should be getting water in the bilge and you could actually see the leak when the engine is running.  It seems unusual that the drain cock would be open and you not get water in the bilge, unless it was clogged.  if you are not seeing water coming out of the muffler or hose your smell is coming from elsewhere     as far as mufflers go if you got 20 years out of the muffler you are ahead of the game.  If it does leak don't bother trying to fix it, I did this and it kept leaking.  Get one from catalina but you have to either send the original back to them as they have several molds or have them send you photos of the ones they have made over the years. 

    On Friday, January 13, 2017 1:49 PM, Graeme Clark <cg at skyflyer.co.uk> wrote:
 

 Last summer, after motoring any length of time, we would get a diesel fuel smell in the aft cabin and  - i noticed  also - more strongly under the galley sink.
I know I don't have a fuel leak and I know that the exhaust system is good as far as the muffler.

I therefore am assuming either a leak from the muffler or from the exhaust hose itself, which is I think the original fit from 20 years ago and therefor probably perished!

So I will be replacing the exhaust hose and have removed the muffler to inspect at home. There is no immediate obvious sign of a leak but it isn't under any pressure, of course. Any suggestions as how to best test it?  Even if it isn't leaking I thought I might take the opportunity whilst out of the boat, to reinforce any weaker areas with glass mat and resin. But what ARE the weaker areas? I know others here have had problems with these mufflers on and off over the years.

Finally, there is what i assume to be a T-shaped drain tap on the side of the muffler, but I was surprised to find it in the fully unscrewed position (in other words fully counter clockwise). has it vibrated open, is that the ‘leak' - or does this drain valve work in the reverse sense to ‘normal’?

Thanks in advance for any guidance

Graeme
#366, 1996, Oskar, Falmouth UK

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