spottydog
Active member
Started my engine Sat. morning. A new engine fitted over the winter, now with 11 hours under it's belt. Usual check of the exhaust showed a decreasing flow untill just a trickle. Now I knew I had turned the seacock on so I waited, perhaps 30 seconds, the sound from the exhaust sounded dry so I went down below to check the flow through the clear raw water filter.
Luckily I was bare foot as I would have got very wet shoes!!
The cabin sole was awash with water pouring out from around the steps/engine cover............ Blimey I thought just before stopping the engine. I then removed the engine cover which allowed a large quantity of water to wet the feet again.
I then noticed the end cap of the heat exchanger lying next to the alternator. On examination the phosphur bronze bolt used to attach it to the heat exchanger core had sheared off and the impellor had discharged the water straight out of the end of the heat exchanger.
The broken stud left in the heat exchanger was only finger tight. I had had no cause to touch the bolt during installation. The bolt looks as if it has been fractured from new.
I was extremely lucky this ocurred whilst on my mooring rather than 2 hours later on my way to the Blackwater!
I have contacted the manufacturer, who expressed a hightened degree of concern. They have even sent me 2 free bolts, a spare fuel filter, oil filter and engine anode!!!!!!!
Looks like that may be the end of the matter to them.
I think owners of Beta engines particularly recent installs will be well advised to check these bolts, there is one at each end of the heat exchanger.
Luckily I was bare foot as I would have got very wet shoes!!
The cabin sole was awash with water pouring out from around the steps/engine cover............ Blimey I thought just before stopping the engine. I then removed the engine cover which allowed a large quantity of water to wet the feet again.
I then noticed the end cap of the heat exchanger lying next to the alternator. On examination the phosphur bronze bolt used to attach it to the heat exchanger core had sheared off and the impellor had discharged the water straight out of the end of the heat exchanger.
The broken stud left in the heat exchanger was only finger tight. I had had no cause to touch the bolt during installation. The bolt looks as if it has been fractured from new.
I was extremely lucky this ocurred whilst on my mooring rather than 2 hours later on my way to the Blackwater!
I have contacted the manufacturer, who expressed a hightened degree of concern. They have even sent me 2 free bolts, a spare fuel filter, oil filter and engine anode!!!!!!!
Looks like that may be the end of the matter to them.
I think owners of Beta engines particularly recent installs will be well advised to check these bolts, there is one at each end of the heat exchanger.
