Water Lift Muffler

[nknowland]

I have a Nauqualift Silencer with a 2" angled in and 2 " top out on a Westerbeake W-52. After motorsailing 870 miles up the ICW I am finding several spots of salt crystals on the top of the muffler. I suspect I have some pinhole leaks in the fiberglass. Is this a sign of imminent failure or to be expected?

Dan

[NCboatrx]

This is not normal but before condeming the muffler, I would very carefully check that you dont have any water spraying out of a joint or other leak that sprays onto the muffler while running the engine. Sometimes a leak doesn't show itself at idle and only appears at higher speed.

[osirissail]

Maybe put something "over" the muffler area and see if the salt accumulates on the "shield" or only on the muffler underneath the "shield."
- - New exhaust hose can contain pinholes or other "fracture or punctures" which occur when they are improperly handled during shipment from factory to the end seller. I had a brand new length of 4 inch exhaust hose with a thumbnail shaped tear in it that opened up when the engine was at cruising power. Made a horrible mess in the engine room spraying hot exhaust salt water over everything.