Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 05-01-2010, 19:44   #1
Registered User
 
SvenG's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: East Coast
Boat: 382 Diesel Duck
Posts: 1,176
Waterlift Mufflers and Flooding Dangers?

If a diesel with a waterlift muffler won't start, how does one know if it is safe to keep trying or if the waterlift might be getting too full ? Is there usually a drain somewhere on the waterlift so one can go down and drain the water before trying to start again ?

Is there a danger of water filling the waterlift from the exhaust end if the stern is continually pounded by waves which more than cover the exhaust exit ? Over the holidays we ended up caught on a lee shore overnight with some pretty terrific reflected swells and waves slamming up under the stern and I could imagine every wave pushing water backwards through the exhaust.

Thanks,


-Sven
SvenG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2010, 20:06   #2
Eternal Member
 
Chief Engineer's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North of Baltimore
Boat: Ericson 27 & 18' Herrmann Catboat
Posts: 3,798
Most waterlift mufflers I have seen have a small plug/screw on the bottom.

Vetus mufflers have a little cap.

If the exhaust lines were installed properly, you should not get any backflow....but having been in a similar situation in St George, Bermuda years ago...I wouldn't rule it out.
Chief Engineer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2010, 20:10   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle
Boat: Cal 40 (sold). Still have a Hobie 20
Posts: 2,944
Images: 7
My Centek has a drain. Impossible to tell you how long until you flood your engine because it doesn't start, too many variables. Don't take chances.

Currently best practice is a gooseneck in your exhaust line to prevent backflooding from waves. You can also put a thruhull with a rubber flopper than slams shut when a wave hits it. What folks used to do and what is on my boat still is a seacock.
cal40john is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-01-2010, 20:29   #4
Registered User
 
delmarrey's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philippines in the winters
Boat: It’s in French Polynesia now
Posts: 11,368
Images: 122
Just check to see if you have an exhaust loop well above the waterline. If so, no worries.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	wetlift1.jpg
Views:	593
Size:	46.0 KB
ID:	12400  
__________________
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend, but the Kisses of the Enemy are Deceitful! ........
The measure of a man is how he navigates to a proper shore in the midst of a storm!
delmarrey is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 02:11   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35
I cant see clearly the origin of the diagram that Delmarrey posted. If you look up the Centec website..(it looks a bit like their page).. it will clearly demonstrate the right way. I have fitted exhausts in a variety of boats with the engines way below the waterline. If in doubt I have fitted a goose neck after the manifold and at the transom...or wherever the exhaust exits. So far no problems. I have also fitted a sea cock on occasion where there is reasonable doubt. Just make sure it is easily accesable and serviced on a regular basis...exhaust is corrosive!. Its important to fit an anti-syphon loop/valve on the cooling water feed well above the waterline at maximum heel. Also if you have a water fed cutlass...the same applies.
Do not ever crank the motor for long without draining the system. In the past I have just disconnected the system at the goose neck till I have identified the starting. problem
Jerry Cox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 04:33   #6
Registered User
 
Badsanta's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: virginia
Boat: islandpacket
Posts: 1,967
I turn off the raw water intake till it starts then turn it on. I just met two guys talking about having to rebuild there low hour engines because of water in the engines. I mentioned that you have to be careful about how long you crank it as the water lift will fill with water and back up into the engine. They were both surprised, said its not in the starting directions and why didn't some one tell him. I thought it was common knowledge but as evident it happans alot.
__________________
That derelict boat was another dream for somebody else, don't let it be your nightmare and a waste of your life.
Badsanta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 08:03   #7
Registered User
 
SvenG's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: East Coast
Boat: 382 Diesel Duck
Posts: 1,176
Quote:
Originally Posted by Badsanta View Post
I turn off the raw water intake till it starts then turn it on.
I'd considered that but worried that it might tear the hose at either the intake or the pump fitting due to the vacuum ?

BTW, thanks for all the informative answers from everyone.



-Sven
__________________
Shiplet
2007 Diesel Duck 382
SvenG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 11:19   #8
Registered User
 
James S's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2008
Location: We're technically refugees from our home in Yemen now living in Lebenon
Boat: 1978 CT48
Posts: 5,964
Images: 139
If you do find you have a plug on the water-lift chamber...consider replacing it with a valve...I use a pvc hot water valve.
__________________
James
S/V Arctic Lady
I love my boat, I can't afford not to!
James S is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 11:49   #9
Marine Service Provider
 
witzgall's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Boat: Camper Nicholson 44 Ketch
Posts: 2,059
Hi all;

We have no muffler or vented loop on our boat, just an exaust hose that leads down from the manifold and then back up a bit to the thru-hull fitting. For ocean sailing, how much of a chance am I taking from water entering from rear-breaking waves, etc?

Chris
witzgall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 13:34   #10
Registered User
 
James S's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: May 2008
Location: We're technically refugees from our home in Yemen now living in Lebenon
Boat: 1978 CT48
Posts: 5,964
Images: 139
Its not all down hill from the engine?
Is it a wet exhaust?
__________________
James
S/V Arctic Lady
I love my boat, I can't afford not to!
James S is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 15:11   #11
Registered User
 
Blue Stocking's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: St. Georges, Bda
Boat: Rhodes Reliant 41ft
Posts: 4,131
Recently there was a thread discussing intake filters above and below the waterline.
It can vaguely tie in here in reference to shutting the intake thru-hull while you start the engine.
If your filter cap is above the water line, as my Vetus is, I usually squirt in a good amount of dish-washing detergent. This will lubricate the impeller, and flush out the exhaust hose.
__________________
so many projects--so little time !!
Blue Stocking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 17:46   #12
Registered User
 
Tom.B's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Cary, NC
Boat: 2000 Navigator 4200 Classic-Skinny Dippin'
Posts: 171
Images: 28
Quote:
Originally Posted by witzgall View Post
Hi all;

We have no muffler or vented loop on our boat, just an exaust hose that leads down from the manifold and then back up a bit to the thru-hull fitting. For ocean sailing, how much of a chance am I taking from water entering from rear-breaking waves, etc?

Chris
Can it be fitted with a flapper valve?
Tom.B is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 18:06   #13
Marine Service Provider
 
witzgall's Avatar

Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Eastern Shore, MD
Boat: Camper Nicholson 44 Ketch
Posts: 2,059
It is mostly, but not all downhill. I will have to measure the fall and rise.

Chris

Quote:
Originally Posted by James S View Post
Its not all down hill from the engine?
Is it a wet exhaust?
witzgall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-01-2010, 21:50   #14
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 35
If you have no waterlift muffler you are in imminent danger of flooding all the time. In my opinion...after many installs..it is absolutely vital.
I also am not happy with shutting the inlet seacock off...If you do not have wire wound hose...also vital...you may well collapse the intake hose or the inner wall of the hose vausing an unseen blockage. I have seen this destroy a perfectly good Yanmar before. Raw water pumps are very powerfull even the small ones
All you have to do is run a hose from the sea water outlet over the side whilst working on the motor. Ok it can be a bit smokey if you have disconected the exhaust but only for a short while is OK.
Jerry Cox is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Watchkeeping Dangers csiunatc General Sailing Forum 4 09-08-2008 08:27
outboard flooding captden Engines and Propulsion Systems 5 01-06-2008 11:17
Dangers in Electronic Charting Pelagic Navigation 59 22-05-2008 07:58
4" waterlift exhaust installation Boracay Construction, Maintenance & Refit 2 29-03-2008 18:14
Blisters or Flooding? Which would you choose?? ssullivan General Sailing Forum 30 22-06-2005 01:36

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 21:29.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.