andyp
Well-Known Member
Nearly came a cropper at the weekend!
I was changing/cleaning fuel filters/separators on my Volvo Penta MD22-L with Sail-drive and could not shift the on-engine fuel filter.
After leaning in to gain a better grip a few times, I looked down and notice a slight drip coming from the main sea-water cooling pipe hose just above the jubilee clips. The hose was black 19mm car heater hose and had never leaked before. When I flexed the hose slightly the drip became a leak and I could see weak points around the hose circumference.
After turning off the seacock I then investigated further and in no time at all "it just came off in my hand". The hose had failed across almost the whole circumference just above/on the upper lip of the top jubilee clip.
I replaced the heater hose with clear/reinforced pipe of similar ID but thinner overall (with new jubilee clips). The original hose had probably been in place for about 20 years.
Borrowed a strap wrench in the end and had the fuel filter off and replaced in no time. I am still glad that all my leaning on pipes caused this leak to be spotted, as it could have failed at a much more dangerous moment. There is normally a line in all service guides saying "inspect all pipes and hoses" but I had never thought to wiggle them before.
I was changing/cleaning fuel filters/separators on my Volvo Penta MD22-L with Sail-drive and could not shift the on-engine fuel filter.
After leaning in to gain a better grip a few times, I looked down and notice a slight drip coming from the main sea-water cooling pipe hose just above the jubilee clips. The hose was black 19mm car heater hose and had never leaked before. When I flexed the hose slightly the drip became a leak and I could see weak points around the hose circumference.
After turning off the seacock I then investigated further and in no time at all "it just came off in my hand". The hose had failed across almost the whole circumference just above/on the upper lip of the top jubilee clip.
I replaced the heater hose with clear/reinforced pipe of similar ID but thinner overall (with new jubilee clips). The original hose had probably been in place for about 20 years.
Borrowed a strap wrench in the end and had the fuel filter off and replaced in no time. I am still glad that all my leaning on pipes caused this leak to be spotted, as it could have failed at a much more dangerous moment. There is normally a line in all service guides saying "inspect all pipes and hoses" but I had never thought to wiggle them before.