Blue Heron
Guru
I bought my Trawler this month and this weekend I cruised it to my homeport.
Some issues that I observed are listed below. I would love to hear recommendations on solutions.
Some info: I cruised from St Marks to Pensacola making two marina stops and a sustained speed of 9 kts at 2400RPM I have twin Perks 135hp. I burned through 300 gallons of fuel.
1. Temps on both engines were fairly consitent at 185 STBD and 190-200 Port.
2. Changed Fuel Filters at both stops. 2 Micron Racor at first then 10 Micron as tanks burned down. Overall Color of fuel was good.
3. Replaced STBD Impeller. Old Impeller was missing rubber fants/splines and was OLD. Stbd Cooling was noticable and wet exhaust was excellent.
4. COULD NOT replace Port Impeller due to three of the six brass screws on Water Impeller Cover have stripped screw heads! ARRH! So I need to see if I can even get a bite still on the heads. One solution recommended to me was to use a product called "Freeze out" to contract the brass screw and try to unscrew using remaining bite. Other wise I will need to figure a way to dremel a groove in the head to get a better bite on it... Wish it was properly maintained!!
I am sure this was the reason for the differances in Temp on engines also wet exhaust is obviously less.
5. Fly Bridge Steering developed a slow weep of hydraulic steering fluid after first day. Steering was responsive and I took the black plastic cover off on the outside of the wheel shaft and saw weeping from the o-ring. Suspect the O ring is bad. I am not certain how to change this out and then how to or where to add replacement ATF fluid.
6. Stbd Engine had a MAJOR oil leak that caused pressure alarm that auto shut engine on first day. Oil leak came from manual piston pump valve (for oil changes) it leaked from the outflow spout. I cleaned the oil, plugged the spout with an absorbant towel stuffed into the opening and filled the crankcase back up. No issues on that for duration but do not know how to prevent without the rag stuffed in the tube.
7. Coolant was gone after 2nd day. Had to add a gallon of water and a gallon of 50/50 Anti to both engines.. Suspect this is the first time in years this boat was run like this. ALso think the impeller issue is part of the problem on the Port engine.
8. HEADS.. CRAP!!! Aft Head will not drain.. both are PAR Jabsco Electrics on Fesh water. Get good pump contact on aft toilet but it wont drain. Fwd head Pump trips breaker when engaged and wont flush. Did a pump out the 2nd day but got no relief of the toilets. They remain clogged or unable to drain...
9. Minor Leakage on windows. Intend to remove old sealant and reseal with Sikaflex 295
10. Fuel Tanks.. Both Engine want to run off the Port Fuel Tank. I released the ball valves on the bottom of each tank and the Stbd tank fed from the gravity but both engines are still pulling from the prt tank. Not sure where the cross feed is for the pull to secure so the engines can run off each tank independently. THis one is confusing.
I would appreciate any info and recommendations any of you may have! Thanks! Looking forward to lots of knowledge from you salty dogs.
Some issues that I observed are listed below. I would love to hear recommendations on solutions.
Some info: I cruised from St Marks to Pensacola making two marina stops and a sustained speed of 9 kts at 2400RPM I have twin Perks 135hp. I burned through 300 gallons of fuel.
1. Temps on both engines were fairly consitent at 185 STBD and 190-200 Port.
2. Changed Fuel Filters at both stops. 2 Micron Racor at first then 10 Micron as tanks burned down. Overall Color of fuel was good.
3. Replaced STBD Impeller. Old Impeller was missing rubber fants/splines and was OLD. Stbd Cooling was noticable and wet exhaust was excellent.
4. COULD NOT replace Port Impeller due to three of the six brass screws on Water Impeller Cover have stripped screw heads! ARRH! So I need to see if I can even get a bite still on the heads. One solution recommended to me was to use a product called "Freeze out" to contract the brass screw and try to unscrew using remaining bite. Other wise I will need to figure a way to dremel a groove in the head to get a better bite on it... Wish it was properly maintained!!
I am sure this was the reason for the differances in Temp on engines also wet exhaust is obviously less.
5. Fly Bridge Steering developed a slow weep of hydraulic steering fluid after first day. Steering was responsive and I took the black plastic cover off on the outside of the wheel shaft and saw weeping from the o-ring. Suspect the O ring is bad. I am not certain how to change this out and then how to or where to add replacement ATF fluid.
6. Stbd Engine had a MAJOR oil leak that caused pressure alarm that auto shut engine on first day. Oil leak came from manual piston pump valve (for oil changes) it leaked from the outflow spout. I cleaned the oil, plugged the spout with an absorbant towel stuffed into the opening and filled the crankcase back up. No issues on that for duration but do not know how to prevent without the rag stuffed in the tube.
7. Coolant was gone after 2nd day. Had to add a gallon of water and a gallon of 50/50 Anti to both engines.. Suspect this is the first time in years this boat was run like this. ALso think the impeller issue is part of the problem on the Port engine.
8. HEADS.. CRAP!!! Aft Head will not drain.. both are PAR Jabsco Electrics on Fesh water. Get good pump contact on aft toilet but it wont drain. Fwd head Pump trips breaker when engaged and wont flush. Did a pump out the 2nd day but got no relief of the toilets. They remain clogged or unable to drain...
9. Minor Leakage on windows. Intend to remove old sealant and reseal with Sikaflex 295
10. Fuel Tanks.. Both Engine want to run off the Port Fuel Tank. I released the ball valves on the bottom of each tank and the Stbd tank fed from the gravity but both engines are still pulling from the prt tank. Not sure where the cross feed is for the pull to secure so the engines can run off each tank independently. THis one is confusing.
I would appreciate any info and recommendations any of you may have! Thanks! Looking forward to lots of knowledge from you salty dogs.