Congrats, Ando! You shot your engine (again)!

[Ando]

Yup, under very high winds, I saw another sailboat almost completely tip over so I immediately turned the engine on and went into irons and was about to try and bring down the sails, but she turned ever so slightly and the wind got a hold of the genoa and almost took us down too. So I just cranked the tiller to the direction she wanted to go, got straight swung around and tried again. Thank goodness it worked the second time. In that mess, left it running for 10-15min without opening the thru hull valve.

The engine made a weird noise which alerted me that something was wrong and that’s when I opened the thru hull. I saved the boat and the crew and we made it back to the slip. Motor still runs, but compression is reading 25psi where it was at ~100 before. So ya, she runs tho...a testament to my prior work and the help of you fine folks.

Oil is clear btw.

What’s everyone’s take? Pull the engine or something simpler?

[JOHN COOKSON]

The best way to prevent this is to put the ignition key on the through hull valve.

ex TRUE GRIT

[Ando]

The best way to prevent this is to put the ignition key on the through hull valve.

ex TRUE GRIT

That’s genius

[Surcouf]

I love the pokayoke from John...
But the sound alarm system from MM would have also notified you and potentially saved the engine, even if you saved the day of the other crew !

Well done for the maritime event, good luck for the engine repair

[joe_db]

It might be just a head gasket, which is usually doable in place.
Some future suggestions:
1. I pull the coil wire off when working on the engine and it should not be started for one reason or another.
2. I have an overheat alarm, that would have helped.
3. Moyer has a low flow alarm as part of their alarm panel that would have gone off right away.
4. The big question - why sail around with the cooling water seacock turned off? Mine will be on until December. If there is some issue with the engine flooding would track that down!

[Ando]

EWDS

Thanks for the input so far everyone. Funny thing is that I have the EWDS system and was planning on installing it along with doing a re-wire of the whole electrical system this winter. I pray it’s only a blown head gasket...we shall see.

[Ando]

Poll re thru hull

These replies got me thinking. Look out for a poll.

[ndutton]

Update on the Ando Project

• Compression test redone, 95~110psi (dry) on all four cylinders. The previous 25psi test was done by hand cranking, a misunderstanding from earlier TDC instructions.
• The engine starts easily and runs well at idle and under modest load (in fwd gear at the dock). The only knock I heard was very brief right at startup.
• Dipstick oil is clean, no sign of water contamination.

My recommendations at this time

1. Re-torque the head just to make things as good as they can be.
2. Replace the MMI 502 pump impeller immediately.
3. Add an anti-siphon loop, currently not present. That should eliminate any concern over water incursion while sailing with the raw water intake thru-hull open.
4. Replace the manifold gasket, an unrelated but known issue. There is an ongoing exhaust leak at the manifold/block interface.
5. Change the oil on principle, add 1 pint MMO to the fresh oil for the next 10 hours engine run time.
6. Listen to the engine carefully as it is running and note everything that's heard for future assessment.

[Ando]

1. Torquing wrench obtained to re-torque the head bolts to 35 foot pounds;
2. Ordered the MMI 502 pump impeller (and impeller extractor tool);
3. Ordered the anti-siphon loop attachment (new hose in the works);
4. Ordered the manifold gasket;
5. SAE30 oil and MMO obtained as well as Hydro Lube, two pints of which will be used in a subsequent oil change (after 10 hours of running time with using the 1 pint MMO + 3.5 quarts of oil);
6. Ears on the ready to listen to the engine carefully (as it is running...woohooo!) and note everything that's heard for future assessment.

Thank you to everyone that contributed. I'm humbled (maybe I should be ducked from "Senior Member" status back to "Noob"...or "boob") and yet I'm always extremely grateful for all your assistance (and your time and graciousnes, Neil).

[ndutton]

SAE30 oil and MMO obtained as well as Hydro Lube, two pints of which will be used in a subsequent oil change (after 10 hours of running time with using the 1 pint MMO + 3.5 quarts of oil)

Correction: we talked about Hyperlube

Thank you to everyone that contributed. . . . . and yet I'm always extremely grateful for all your assistance (and your time and graciousness, Neil)

No worries Ando, several others mentored me and all I'm doing is paying it forward just like you will at some point.

[Ando]

Yes, Hyperlube. Thank you.

Head nuts are torqued to 35 ft pounds and will be checked again after the first test run at the slip. Then again after taking her out.

Oil change is complete with one pint of MMO added to 3.5 quarts of oil.

Awaiting parts (impeller, manifold gasket and anti-siphon) from MMI, which are scheduled to be delivered on Monday...I should’ve paid for the faster delivery

[sastanley]

• Add an anti-siphon loop, currently not present. That should eliminate any concern over water incursion while sailing with the raw water intake thru-hull open.
  

I was kinda wondering why the thru-hull was closed for a day sail!?