[Public-List] Thanks-- Re: Overheating diesel engine

Jeffrey via Public-List public-list at lists.alberg30.org
Fri Sep 12 16:15:31 PDT 2014


Randy,

If you remember, please let  us know what it was!

Good luck!

-jeff

On Fri, Sep 12, 2014 at 6:38 PM, Randy Katz via Public-List <
public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:

> Greetings,
>
> Many thanks to Jeffrey and Wes who responded with very helpful info about
> this problem. I'm also consulting Nigel Calder's book.
>
> The website Jeff sent (below) is a very handy reference point for
> anyone--save it for future reference?
>
> > Good link on Westerbeke & Univeral heat exchangers.
> > http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/heat_exchanger
> >
> I'm now looking fwd to getting back to the boat to mess around some more
> with this instead of dreading it.
>
> Thanks, fellow Albergers--
>
> > > Randy
> > > #249 Simple Gifts
> > > Seattle/Bellingham
>
>
>
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:56:22 -0400
> > From: Wes Gardner via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> > To: Jeff Fongemie <fongemie at gmail.com>,         Alberg 30 Public List --
> > open
> >         to all <public-list at lists.alberg30.org>
> > Cc: Randy Katz <randy.katz50 at gmail.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Public-List] Overheating diesel engine-- 2 questions or
> >         more
> > Message-ID:
> >         <
> > CAFWpyHyqZeYAMkp0S70fhTqXTpF2W+qyjj6Ps7FMpCBHDaFm2g at mail.gmail.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> >
> > Randy,
> >
> > The first thing I'd check is the impeller to be sure you're pumping
> > adequate water...mine runs normally at 180 in the warm water of the
> > Chesapeake but it's an entirely different motor...
> >
> > Wes
> >
> > On Thu, Sep 11, 2014 at 1:43 PM, Jeffrey via Public-List <
> > public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Randy,
> > >
> > > I'm no diesel mechanic,  but I would address both the thermostat and
> the
> > > heat exchanger at the same time. You'll need to drain the coolant
> system
> > > some to test/change the thermostat anyway, so unplugging the heat
> > exchanger
> > > and giving it a good cleaning at the same time makes sense to me.  I
> > don't
> > > think I'd take the risk running strong acid through the system, the
> > > exchanger is easy enough to clean when removed.  And, by actually
> opening
> > > up the exchanger you may find stuff in there that the acid won't
> > dissolve.
> > > If you are like me you'll motor just a little happier knowing how clean
> > the
> > > exchanger is when you are finished.
> > >
> > > Good link on Westerbeke & Univeral heat exchangers.
> > > http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/heat_exchanger
> > >
> > > When you put everything back together, be careful to properly bleed out
> > all
> > > the air from the cooling system. An air bubble can lead to overheating
> > > quickly.
> > >
> > > I would not rule out the external screen on the through hull. Plastic
> bag
> > > trash can get in there and foul that up.  I removed the screen on water
> > > intake, and just use a straight open through hull, preferring to let
> the
> > > inboard filter catch debris.
> > >
> > > -jeff
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > On Thu, Sep 11, 2014 at 12:55 PM, Randy Katz via Public-List <
> > > public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Greetings, Folks,
> > > >
> > > > On the last trip, my Universal diesel showed an increase in temp.
> from
> > > the
> > > > normal 160 degrees to 170 after running for a couple of hours at
> > cruising
> > > > speed of about 5 kts.  This hasn't happened before. (1200 hrs. on the
> > > > engine).
> > > >
> > > > I assume this temp increase is significant.
> > > >
> > > > I cleared the sea water filter feeding the engine. (It was clogged
> the
> > > > first time, and cleaning it resulted in lower temp. though with
> another
> > > > half-hour of running the temp rose a bit again.)
> > > >
> > > > The exterior hull screen should be all clear (hauled out a month
> ago).
> > > The
> > > > seawater filter is now clean. So I'm wondering if it's the heat
> > exchanger
> > > > calling out to be cleaned. Or perhaps the thermostat.
> > > >
> > > > QUESTION--Is this likely to be a thermostat problem? That would be
> > great
> > > as
> > > > it would be easy to replace. I understand the basics re: testing that
> > > part
> > > > and a replacement would be simple.
> > > >
> > > > QUESTION--Should I expect a clogging heat exchanger could be the
> > problem,
> > > > given the 1200 hrs. on the engine? Mechanics suggest there's no need
> to
> > > > bother with this until "it's really necessary." How does one know
> when
> > > that
> > > > is?
> > > >
> > > > Is it reasonable (as recommended by a dockmate) to try clearing the
> > heat
> > > > exchanger by running vinegar (or acyliatic acid-- splg?) from a
> bucket
> > > into
> > > > the engine, letting it sit for an hour or so, and then flushing the
> > thing
> > > > out with seawater?
> > > >
> > > > Any advice would be appreciated. I'll start with the thermostat and
> see
> > > > what happens.
> > > >
> > > > I can imagine spending plenty of time trying to pull out the
> exchanger
> > > with
> > > > the engine in place--if the thermostat doesn't do it, can I assume
> that
> > > the
> > > > heat exchanger is the problem?
> > > >
> > > > Many Thanks,
> > > >
> > > > Best Regards,
> > > >
> > > > Randy
> > > > #249 Simple Gifts
> > > > Seattle/Bellingham
> >
> >
> >
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-- 
______________

Jeffrey Fongemie

<http://instagram.com/jfongemie>

 1410563731.0


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