SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: Id Rather Be Boating on August 23, 2011, 09:48:37 PM
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OK, so I have been running this 1988 21 Ft Open Bow Eliminator for at least 5 seasons with an annoying exhaust leak between the log and the head. Looks like it had been sealed originally with Red RTV, and although I constantly battled with loose "header" bolts that would need tightening 15 min into the day running up the lake, I never had any trouble more then that horrible ticking noise of exhaust leak.
So I decide this season I am going to have the darn leak fixed. So I take it to a place in Reseda CA where they replace the RTV with a $30.00 BBC boat header gasket. Supposed to be quality. I go check out the work at the shop, and when he starts it....No more leak! Hurray, I think!
That weekend, off to Cottonwood (Lake Mojave) I go with the family.
Day one ...... Friday
All morning the boat sounds great....no exhaust leak, but towards the end of the day I can hear the dreaded tick coming back and getting loader then normal.
I figure, "Ah Crap, gasket must have given way"
After a long day of great boating, I pull into my slip and lift the cover..... Sure enough I can see where the gasket is burned looking and a little stain is forming by this new leak. I take out my 3/8ths wrench and tighten every bolt in hopes that there is enough left to silence this dumb embarrasing leak.
Day two....Saturday
Dang, got a late late start due to late night gambling and drinking in a Laughlin casino, but the Wife wants to see how Hoover Dam looks now with that new bridge completed.
So, I fire up the boat and head out toward Willow Beach where I figure, if I can get Gas, I can make the dam and back to Cottonwood before sunset.... Unfortunately, the leak is getting loader and loader, but I am committed now, so I keep going figuring that now the gasket is no longer just burned, but probably missing completely.
In my mind I am thinking... "For 5 seasons I have run this boat with an exhaust leak, and nothing BAD ever happened, so even though it is load as a rod knock now, it is probably just leaking really bad." "And besides, I made it to the Dam and Cottonwood is in sight, What can I do but make the last 1/4 mile to get back ?"
Just as I get close to the 5 mile bouys I loose all kinds of power and just to keep it running, I am feathering the throttle....
When I finally reach the dock, I lift the engine cover and see this:
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
Looking at this hole, my thought is that the hot exhaust has eaten the aluminium away due to the gasket failure.
This seems like the obvious answer, EXCEPT I ran 5 full seasons with another leak and this never happened!
The underside of the cover is char broiled and burned! Looks like if I had gone another 1/4 mile, I would have caught fire!!!!
So, now the tough part....
I get back to LA and take it back to the place that did the job, and say, "Hey, what can we do about this??"
They have been hemming and hawing about what to do.... Really NO answers. Been a week.....
So I said, I will grab a used set of logs, and we go half's on the price, plus they put in a new gasket.
(The other side is still fine)
My thought is I could have stopped Friday, but if the gasket failed and caused it, then we are both at fault.
What do you guys say? I am pretty new at this iron head to Aluminum melt away thing.
Anybody recognise this situation?
I have not checked the condition of the spark plug, and I am really worried that something has happened to the motor!
Who can fix this log, and should I?
Thanks for any help!
Bill
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First and foremost, you should NOT SPLIT THE COST ON ANYTHING IMO! Take it somewhere else, get new logs put on, and go from there.
They did the work, they knew what was up, yes, marine motor, you HAD to make it to the dock to survive and why it's so bad. Ultimately, legally, it's their fault.
In the meantime. If you can afford it, get that verified, in writing, AND fixed by a reputable shop so it won't happen again and get a lawyer to simply write a letter.
You should be able to recoup ALL your money spent plus a little pretty easily, but if court time comes, you got your ducks lined up.
Ray
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I would try to ftguir out if that cyclinder is running lean my 02
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ok just to put my 2 cents in. there repairable. its alumimum. it can be welded. as far as who is responcible, thats tuff. ask to have him get them welded and put back on. they should do it. or let them know you will tell everyone you know NOT TO GO THERE. good luck!!