Waterlift Muffler

[Papakina]

I need to replace the waterlift muffler in my CAL 39 which has a Universal 44HP. It has a stainless waterlift leaking at the weld. Should I stick with stainless steel or go to reinforced plastic? Any suggested online vendor?

[perchance]

Originally Posted by Papakina

I need to replace the waterlift muffler in my CAL 39 which has a Universal 44HP. It has a stainless waterlift leaking at the weld. Should I stick with stainless steel or go to reinforced plastic? Any suggested online vendor?

Google "Vetus water lift muffler" for starters.

[NahanniV]

Go plastic (Vetus)

or Fiberglass (Centek)

They will outlast stainless by a long shot.

Cheers,
JM.

[sabray]

Why go plastic. You could probably touch up the weld ion S.S.. Vetus has a design advantage in the way it fits. But damn it costs if you forget to open up the intake or the impeller fails. Overheat burns right through plastic. Before the engine overheat warns you. A SS steel lift won't fail that way.

[Cotemar]

I 2nd the use of plastic or fiberglass water lift mufflers.

This will give you an idea of all the selections.

Defender.com Search Results: water lift mufflers

[sabray]

Hot gas without water will ruin the plastic lift muffler before the engine overheat cuts in. If you can fit a metal lift its a better option.
What advantage does plastic give you?

[model 10]

The Centek will handle loss of water better than the plastic job. Fixing the old steel piece would save you the new installation problems because I doubt a new muffler would be a bolt in. $50 weld repair vs $?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by sabray

Hot gas without water will ruin the plastic lift muffler before the engine overheat cuts in. If you can fit a metal lift its a better option.
What advantage does plastic give you?

Not true as the plastic is designed for this muffler application and there are thousands of plastic water lift mufflers on boats.

Plastic and fiberglass water lift mufflers will not corrode or get pin hole leaks like the SS muffles do.
They are better at silencing the exhaust noise also.

[sabray]

Cotemar,

What happens if the combustion gas is not cooled by fresh water at the exhaust elbow. It melts the next lowest temperature rated piece in line. I do not reccomend trying this. A stainless muffler will survive much better. How can I be wrong.

[sabray]

It is not designed for straight gas temps. A few minutes of direct uncooled gas will melt a vetus exhaust lift.

[sartorst]

How long did the ssteel one last

[sabray]

Originally Posted by sartorst

How long did the ssteel one last

Longer. Then the vetus plastic elbow will.

[boden36]

My experience with stainless waterlift mufflers is not good. Mine seem to suffer from crevice corrosion within five years. If you have the chance, replace with plastic, and fit a good exhaust temp monitor.

Regards,
Richard.

[mcerdos]

I would suggest to go plastic (Vetus). Even if you overheat the engine and have to replace, chances are you will not overheat (if you do your maintenance). SS has a life or <5 years +/-. Vetus will last much longer (and is much less than SS). So if you get more than 5 years on the Vetus, you are ahead of the game.

[Jim Cate]

Can't say universally, but in the three yachts with inboard engines that I have owned, if the cooling water stops flowing there is a very noticeable change in the exhaust note. Should be enough to get one's attention.

Every metal waterlift that I have owned has developed leaks. None of the Vetus FRP ones have had any problems.

Cheers,

Jim