[Alberg30] Fw: Cooling System

Tue May 29 18:52:52 PDT 2001

George, The following is my posted question to the A4 list. I'm cc:'ing it to the A30 list as well.  I'm open to advice from anyone. 
Thanks in advance,  Brian
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Brian and Elaine Timmins 
To: atomic4-list at sailnet.net 
Sent: Monday, May 28, 2001 7:55 AM
Subject: Cooling System


Hi All,
   This is my first question post to this list. I have been lurking (reading) for several months and I think this list is great! I've even told several A4 owners to sign up. 
   I've had my A4 in an Alberg 30 for about 6 years now. I learned about Moyer's and Indigo's services almost immediately and have updated my engine (Indigo products) and maintained my engine (Moyer's newsletters, class, products) over these years, and it generally runs great. I've only had a computer since Nov. '00 and been on this list since late Dec.'00. Three years ago, over the winter, I stripped my engine down, checked everything out, cleaned out all my water passages, replaced my manifold, updated my cooling pump from a worn Jabsco to a rebuilt Oberdorfer M7, adjusted my compression (two gaskets and a Moyer shim) to about 90-95, adjusted my valves, etc. etc. The motor has been running great with 0 problems.
   My motor is salt water cooled and I do a twice a year radiator flush/fresh water rinse to try to maintain a fairly clean cooling system. This winter I re&re'd my water pump installing a new impeller as routine maintenance (old one was OK still). I started it up will still on land (hose into a bucket/engine drawing from bucket) and ran it for quite a while. It warmed up and ran at about 130-140. No problem. When I went in the water, I ran it for maybe 20 min. and again about 130-140. No problem. Two days ago, I ran it again (in the slip) for about 1/2 hour and again 130-140. No problem. Yesterday, I finally got out of my slip and motored at 1500 RPM about 1/2 hour to a friend's moorage. Going into his harbor, I checked the Temp. gauge and found it up around (just under) 180`. When I slowed down to idle in the harbor, it gradually cooled down to 130-140 again. Upon leaving the harbor @ 1500 RPM (I top out at about 1900 RPM) it again warmed up to about 180. I shut down and sailed for a while. Rolling fog caused me to return to my slip about an hour later. I sailed back to my marina and started up while lowering my sails. The motor ran for about 15 min., mostly at or just above idle. Once back in my slip, I checked and again 130-140.
    While doing the major maintenance three years ago, I noticed my Thermostat cover's bypass nub was worn (corroded) away. I had Moyer rebuild it with his drill it out and weld in a pipe nipple fix. This winter, I had it off again to clean my (3 year old) Holley thermostat. Thermostat cleaned up easily in white vinegar and functioned fine in heated/ boiling fresh water. I did notice that the tip of the welded in pipe nipple was wearing pretty thin already.
   Could this be my problem? With salt water cooling, I don't want to approach 180`. My average runs are only about 15-20 mins to warm up and get out of the marina and get my sails up, usually at or about idle. For the first time in several years my wife and I are planning a vacation on the boat and usually that will include several days where the motor is the prime mover. Several days at 180` is something I don't want to do. Should I invest in a new thermostat housing? I hear somewhere (probably here) that there is a cheaper after market housing available now. Does anyone have any experience with it? Is it OK, as good as the original, better, or a piece of crap, made from the wrong alloy and eventually a problem? Possibly, I'm missing an idea as to the cause of the "over"heating.
   Any comments or advise?           I'm a digest subscriber so I only get the mailings once a day. This of course means that I can't respond quickly to your ideas, input, or further questions. That is why I got so long winded here. I think I've mentioned all the pertinent history.
  Thanks for any help/suggestions.
Brian Timmins   A30 #497   "Free Spirit"  Dead Horse Bay, New York
timmins at optonline.net    direct to me if needed.
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