Anyone mechanically minded

[LiamS]

I recently brought my boat from Falmouth to Milford Haven.I was planning to make Kilmore Quay but ...........during the night the gearbox oil cooler pipe on the return side melted.The pipe is made of some kind of plastic similar to that used in home heating systems from the tank to the burner.
A local yard told me that they suspected a snagged propeller may have caused the shaft to tighten and thereby caused more work for the gearbox.On lifting the boat I found that none of the propellers were snagged.I personally suspect a slight kink in the pipe may have caused heat to build up and melt the pipe.I find it strange that the return pipe should melt and not the supply.Can anyone try to offer a theory as to what may have caused this problem.
Many thanks
Liam

 

[halcyon]

Depends on spec of pipe, may not be suitable for moderate temps, becomes soft. On the return line is the pipe under a semi vacuum, if the pipe becomes soft and flattens, oil flow is reduced, thus temp increases, pipe becomes softer.


Brian