[C320-list] Aqualift Muffler

[Jeff Hare]

Agreed Chris.  We keep a pair of medium sized rubber strap wrenches on board for tightening these caps after using a lot of that teflon tape.  The pair of strap wrenches are also required to separate the fuel filter from the bowl and housing (usually). We also keep a small one for loosening the raw water filter when it needs it.

-Jeff Hare 

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com> On Behalf Of Chris Burti
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 7:45 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqualift Muffler

Scott,
Your water tank ‘leak’ is most likely the inspection port which will leak when you fill the tank… a couple of wraps of Teflon tape or the o ring from   plumbing dept will help.

Thanks,
Chris Burti
Farmville, NC

From: Scott Westwood
Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2018 7:35 AM
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqualift Muffler

FWIW. Update on my muffler.
I must have had a loose hose fitting.  Took off the muffler. (wasn't "that" easy) Tried several ways to find a leak and could not find one.  Did not do a thing to it.  Re-installed it and ran for 7 hours one day then ran it for 9 hours couple of days later and no leaks.  (Went to Ocracoke on the NC Outer Banks for 300th Anniversary of Black Beard's Death) Also had minimal dripping with re-packed stuffing tube. (After several adjustments) Had a dry bilge when we started.  Then... I filled to forward water tank at the marina and I later heard the bilge pump go off.  Dang it, have a leak in the forward water tank/line someplace.  Two steps forward, one step back.  This should be an easy one at least.   Just have to find it. Thanks to all the help working that Muffler issue.
Scott Westwood scottwestwood at bellsouth.net H (919)-362-8538    C (919)-618-7185

      From: Troy Dunn <troutwarrior at gmail.com>
 To: C320-List at catalina320.com
 Sent: Friday, October 5, 2018 5:53 PM
 Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqualift Muffler
   
Yup, as Doug says you can safely remove the muffler without worrying about sinking your boat.  Closing the intake seacock isn’t really necessary,  but without the muffler installed you will have no reason to have it open.

Now about that muffler.  We went through this whole thing two years ago.
We discovered the leak in August and I 'repaired' it.  The muffler design is basically a box with a nested bottom plate.  The seam between the box and the nested plate is where the muffler fails.  The repairs that can be made are almost always a delay tactic.  Very few folks have made successful long term repairs.  We limped through to haul out and then ordered a new muffler.

In order to get a new muffler you will need to send back the old one.
Based on my experience with another vendor I would have to recommend calling Catalina in Florida or Vetus for a replacement.  Expect this process to take a while, and also expect to fill the old screw holes and drill new holes.

If your muffler is leaking enough to fill the tray beneath the engine, then you will also have water trapped underneath the galley drawers so don't forget to get that with the shop vac.  If you haven’t gotten to that stage of the leaking process...it probably will get there soon.

Good luck

Troy Dunn
S/V Wonky Dog
Hull #514