KAD elbows

[Hangie]

Hi,

I think this or next year latest, the time will come to replace exhaust elbows on my KAD32s. They show few small rusty spots on outside which probably signal they are almost gone internally - still no issue with overheating both at 80C.

I've started to look around for options and can see:
- cheap Chinese one at eBay at £90
- not so cheap Chinese ones by HGE as sold by repower marine at £216
- Stainless steel ones for £320
- Volvo one for £400+

Currently I'm hesitating between first 2 options. Can anyone share any experience with those ? I would assume HGE one could be made from better material, got better welding etc.
Is it worth spending £240 extra on HGE ones ?

Thanks!

 

[simonfraser]

No overheating if they leak, they’ll just fill your bilge with hot salty water

How old / how many hours ?

Depending on access, you may need a mechanic to do the work

 

[Hangie]

If they rust inside they can block water flow and lead to increased temp.
If they would crack then yes water would end up in bilge while engine is running. They look far from that, but want to change them this or next year anyway.
Checking on options which part to use to hit the sweat spot between quality and price.

I got almost 20 years old S28 with just under 700h. Access is quite good, especially on port side.

 

[Scubadoo]

I fitted a repower marine elbow about three years ago and not experienced any issues so far, the quality looks fine to me. The only thing I did before fitting was to respray it with Volvo green paint as the original paint finish wasn't to my liking.

 

[bowler]

I ordered elbows for a tamd41 recently as mine needed replaced. For a comparison and out of curiosity i ordered a cheapy from ebay, and two from reputable UK sources. Side by side they appeared identical with the same casting marks, weight and funky green paint as mentioned above. Prices varied significantly. I sent two back and fitted a pair of the eBay variants.

 

[Hangie]

Exactly my potential problem here. I got feeling that both £90 and £200 could be coming from the same factory in China. They just might follow diffrent distribution chains and £200 reseller decided to put 3 years warranty on it together with more hefty margins

How long you got those eBay one already ?

For £90 I could just by 3 and keep one as hot spare just in case. To replace them it looks like 30 mins job on the water.
Is that paint really so bad, is it just the look or you think it will peel of or allow elbow to rust from outside prematurely?

Thanks!

 

[Scubadoo]

Exactly my potential problem here. I got feeling that both £90 and £200 could be coming from the same factory in China. They just might follow diffrent distribution chains and £200 reseller decided to put 3 years warranty on it together with more hefty margins

How long you got those eBay one already ?

For £90 I could just by 3 and keep one as hot spare just in case. To replace them it looks like 30 mins job on the water.
Is that paint really so bad, is it just the look or you think it will peel of or allow elbow to rust from outside prematurely?

Thanks!

The paint seemed thin and was very bright green, so simply rubbed down and sprayed several layers of Volvo green paint (also from repower). I didn't want to repaint insitu if it started to rust as it would be almost impossible to reach the underside and end up rusting in places you can't see easily.

I was wary of ordering from eBay as I didn't want to risk it, but as above it looks like the eBay and repower could be sourced from the same place.

 

[Chris_d]

Out of interest which Ebay supplier did you use? there seem to be quite a few.

 

[Mr Googler]

I’ve used Chinese ones with no issues on 2 boats . 3 years with the last then sold the boat 3 years ago. Keep in touch with the owner and he hasn’t mentioned changing them (he would).

As you said, even if you changed them every 3 years…still quids in and it’s very much a regular replacement item in my mind. One of those long forgotten parts that can sink a boat toot sweet

 

[bowler]

How long you got those eBay one already ?

About a year. Nothing special regarding the seller. There were several all offering the same item so I picked the one with highest feedback.