After solving ignition and fuel system problems, I'm getting the boat ready to go for this wonderful July 4th weekend. I started the engine, and no water is coming out of the exhaust, even after several minutes. I changed the impeller since I haven't done it in two years, and still no water out the back.
Craftily, I isolated each system. I confirmed that water comes up from the sea when I take the hose off the water pump input. I confirmed that the water pump is gushing water by taking off the hose from the water pump output. I took off the thermostat input hose, and ran a rod through and found some sludge that I cleared out. After reassembly, still no water out the back. I took off the hose after the thermostat, and verified plenty of gushing water. However, there is nothing, zip, nada coming out of the exhaust manifold when I take off the hose at the outlet. It was running fine the last time I ran the engine two weeks ago.
The engine is raw water cooled, and has never been flushed with muriatic acid that I now know I should have been doing. I think it is too late to try to flush the exhaust manifold while the manifold is still on the engine. I think my options now are to remove the manifold and have it professionally cleaned, or to install a new one from MMI for four boat dollars, plus.
I'm trying to get over the fact that my July 4th weekend plans are effed, but I'm glad I caught it at the dock and not the high seas. I've read the archived posts on this topic, but still have some questions:
- If I take the manifold off to be professionally cleaned, who does this stuff? I think I read about "a radiator shop." What type of business should I look for, really?
- Can I take it off, knock the nasties off by hand, and reinstall it in time to salvage my holiday weekend? Do I need a special gasket?
- For the price, is it simply more efficient to get a new MMI manifold?
As always, thank you for your advice.
Phil
S/V Catmandu
1982 Catalina 27
A4 Late model, RWC
Craftily, I isolated each system. I confirmed that water comes up from the sea when I take the hose off the water pump input. I confirmed that the water pump is gushing water by taking off the hose from the water pump output. I took off the thermostat input hose, and ran a rod through and found some sludge that I cleared out. After reassembly, still no water out the back. I took off the hose after the thermostat, and verified plenty of gushing water. However, there is nothing, zip, nada coming out of the exhaust manifold when I take off the hose at the outlet. It was running fine the last time I ran the engine two weeks ago.
The engine is raw water cooled, and has never been flushed with muriatic acid that I now know I should have been doing. I think it is too late to try to flush the exhaust manifold while the manifold is still on the engine. I think my options now are to remove the manifold and have it professionally cleaned, or to install a new one from MMI for four boat dollars, plus.
I'm trying to get over the fact that my July 4th weekend plans are effed, but I'm glad I caught it at the dock and not the high seas. I've read the archived posts on this topic, but still have some questions:
- If I take the manifold off to be professionally cleaned, who does this stuff? I think I read about "a radiator shop." What type of business should I look for, really?
- Can I take it off, knock the nasties off by hand, and reinstall it in time to salvage my holiday weekend? Do I need a special gasket?
- For the price, is it simply more efficient to get a new MMI manifold?
As always, thank you for your advice.
Phil
S/V Catmandu
1982 Catalina 27
A4 Late model, RWC
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