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Old 10-14-2020, 03:35 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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Resurrected!

She had been sitting, untouched, at the marina for 4 years.

After replacing the plugs, points, and condenser; our 1978 A4 roared to life!

There was no water coming out with the exhaust, so I assume a new impeller is required.

Any advice on this repair is welcome.

Thanks!

Cory
1978 C27
“Dirty Oar”
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Old 10-14-2020, 04:32 PM
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Thumbs up Gude Gneus

Cory, I would assume a new impeller is in the works even if the valve was shut off.
First pull the intake line off the pump to see that the feed is not plugged from sitting so long.

Dave Neptune
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Old 10-14-2020, 07:24 PM
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Cory,

Great news that the beast lives - wonderful feeling eh?

Do you have our hosts maintenance manual? If not get it and I think you would be well advised to perform a flush of the cooling system. It is quite likely that it is full of crud.

HTH,

Peter
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Old 10-15-2020, 12:59 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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Thanks, guys. It was amazing to hear that beast fire up! I will definitely flush the system when I replace the impeller.

Regarding the shut off valve, where would it be on a C27? I looked, but couldn’t find one.

Cory
1978 C27
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Old 10-15-2020, 01:21 PM
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Cory, the valve should be on the "hull end" of the intake water line that goes to the water pump. Common practice is to close when the engine is off or being cranked as in trouble starting.

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Old 10-18-2020, 12:12 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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Fuel tank

When I fired up the A4, I bypassed the old fuel tank and ran it off a small plastic fuel jug with fresh gas. My fear is that the original is heavily corroded. Should I scope the original tank or plan on replacing. Here is a
pic of the gas that came out...
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Old 10-18-2020, 12:26 PM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is online now
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Cory, the fuel does look odd but no debris or separation. Did you get that fuel from the "pick-up" that feeds the engine or did you snake a line to the bottom of the tank to get it. The bottom is where the KRAP will settle. The odd color could be from additives too. Do you know if any were added?

If you can drain from the bottom by snaking a line into the tank (not using the pick-up for the pump) draining may just be an option.

What type of material is the existing tank?

Dave Neptune
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Old 10-18-2020, 12:45 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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It is a metal tank of some kind. I removed the fuel gauge and inserted a pump. I then pumped all of the contents into a 5 gallon plastic tank. I could hear the pump sucking out a little debris. Perhaps it is ok.
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Old 10-18-2020, 01:07 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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It is a metal tank of some kind. I removed the fuel gauge and inserted a pump. I then pumped all of the contents into a 5 gallon plastic tank. I could hear the pump sucking out a little debris. Perhaps it is ok.
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Old 10-18-2020, 01:43 PM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is online now
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Is the tank "monel"? It is a bit grey in color and a magnet will barely stick compared to steel!

If it is monel (popular at the time) I'd try using it after draining.

Do you think you got the line from your pump to the lowest corner?

Dr Dutton may know what tanks were installed as he worked there during those years. Does it look to be the original tank?

Dave Neptune
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Old 10-18-2020, 04:16 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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That sounds like my tank. I did get it to the lowest point. I pumped everything out.

After I swap the impeller this week, I will reattach the existing fuel line and give it a try.

I appreciate your help!

Cory
1978 C27
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Old 10-21-2020, 07:57 PM
TimBSmith TimBSmith is offline
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Cory...coming late to your thread..scrape sampling tank and filtering old fuel...

I had read of several forum members that tested their tanks and filtered fuel in place to get an indication of tank and fuel condition. Here is the pumping and filtering system I was inspired to create from other contributors.

Gave me confidence to know what condition of tank and fuel upstream was and help with decision whether to clean further in place or even remove.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gmQ1qjXAa9DiAmvV9

Stay well, Tim
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Old 10-21-2020, 10:18 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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Tim,

Thanks for the advice. I like the system that you set up. I will try and implement a similar one this weekend. I’m gonna be busy with impeller, oil change, and fuel tank diag!

Cory
1978 C27
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Old 10-22-2020, 10:49 AM
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Exclamation Impeller pieces

Cory, when checking the pump impeller count the "veins" and be sure you get all of the impeller back. The broken off pieces if there are any are notorious for plugging "restricted" areas of flow, like the t-stat and "exit" fittings like the end of the manifold.

As this one sat for so long the "veins" may of stuck or dried out in the pump and broke off.

Where are you located? I'm also an ex multi-nut. Sailed with ORCA for a few years and even had a "C" class with a 70/30 wing sail. I got to sail on a couple of the "Bullet" series and many CSK's even Sea Smoke a couple of times. Now I am keeping my ears peeled for a ride on a big foiler.

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Old 11-04-2020, 08:24 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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Still no water

Guys,

I finally made it out to the boat today and replaced the impeller. There is still no water coming out with the exhaust. When I had the pump apart, I should have opened the raw water valve and tested flow, but I didn’t. Since the boat has been sitting In the water for 4 years untouched, is it likely that the intake is clogged? What’s the best way to get this unclogged?

Thanks,

Cory
1978 C27
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Old 11-04-2020, 09:02 PM
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Cory, first pull the hose off the pump and then open the valve to check the flow. Often times if you have a fairly straight shot you can poke it clear with a coat hanger wire or such. The intake "screen" if so equipped can easily get plugged in that time. Got to get wet to poke and scrape that.

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Old 11-05-2020, 12:23 AM
JOHN COOKSON JOHN COOKSON is offline
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N57
Also, try priming the pump.

ex TRUE GRIT
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Old 01-31-2021, 10:21 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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Water Blockage

Ok. I finally made it out to the boat and confirmed that the water pump is working properly. However, there is still NO water coming out with the exhaust. I think there is a blockage after the water pump. Should I replace the hoses after the pump? I suspect the small transfer hose on the top of the motor. Any advice welcome.

Thanks!!

Cory
1978 C27
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Old 01-31-2021, 10:41 PM
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Water Blockage

Is there a thermostat that is preventing water flow?

Thanks,

Cory
1978 C27
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Old 01-31-2021, 10:50 PM
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Hi Cory. What did the old impeller look like when you removed it. Wondering if it was all there or if parts were missing.

There are a couple of things you can check but this one might be a bit more complicated as you got the boat and might not be sure what was tried previously. Maybe someone before you destroyed an impeller in it and if that is the case there could be a blockage at an 90 degree turn elbow heading into the engine after the pump. Crud could also have built up or even rust flakes could be the culprit.

If it was my engine and I was in your position I'd do this...first.
1. Remove the hose that comes from the end of the exhaust manifold to the to hot exhaust. Turn engine over and see if you have water coming out there.
2. If there is no water there I'd get an air compressor down there, remove the pump and blow air back through the system from the end of the exhaust manifold. You would just put a rag around the tip of the air gun and hold a seal. Have a guy looking at the pump connection hose to see if anything comes out. Could be something in there from a previous owner who tried to fix it before you. Sometimes flakes of rust can block things off combined with crud, as well...I've blow back a few diesels just as I said and cleared them. Whatever is blocking might come out. There should be air just blowing out those lines where the pump was on there.

There is also the possibility of the water injection spigot on the hot exhaust is blocked solid. I have seen that a few times on engines. If you have water at the end of the manifold my next suspicion would be the spigot is completely blocked.

If I was to take a guess, blocked spigot. Another thing I've seen and I even have an old engine in my garage with one...a mixing elbow on the atomic 4. Those things are notorious for rusting closed on the water injection side.

I hope that helps...give it a shot.
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Old 01-31-2021, 11:16 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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Water Blockage

Mo,

The previous impeller was intact when I replaced it, and the previous owner said it ran fine with no blockage. Unfortunately, it has been sitting idle for 4 years. I just had a compressor down there and blew out the intake side of the water pump. I will take your advice and systematically check the flow after the pump.

Thanks for the help!

Cory
1978 C27
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Old 02-01-2021, 06:34 AM
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You need to blow backwards. Sometimes flakes of rust etc. First see if you have water off the back end of the manifold ..then you would know water is getting through the block and the blockage is before or after that. Another place that blocks up is right at the aft end of the manifold. Again, little to no water will come out when you turn it over with the pump on...people have poked through carbon many times to clear that....so I'm thinking either a piece of debris caught up in an elbow, blockage at the end of the manifold (or completely full of crud) or the spigot rusted and carboned up.

If you find that it was at the end of the manifold your best bet is to then remove the manifold and clean the whole thing out. Like I said earlier, 4 years is a long time especially when it was in the water.
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Last edited by Mo; 02-01-2021 at 07:35 AM.
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Old 02-01-2021, 12:19 PM
nacra57 nacra57 is offline
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Water Blockage

Thanks, Mo.

I will start with the water line on the back of the manifold and check for flow. We are pulling it out tomorrow for bottom job. It may be a few weeks, but I will reply with the outcome.

Thanks!!

Cory
1978 C27
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