Raw Water Strainers

[z1ppy]

Afternoon,

I have noticed that the when the engines are off on Aviator, the raw water strainer on the starboard engine drains down but the port one doesnt.

When they are running the both fill up no problem....

On the odd occasion the water in the hamble is clear, its difficult to tell if there is any water in the strainers, its been suggested to stick some ping pong balls in there so you can see if they are floating or not. anyone done this?? the strainers on the D6 seems to have a vertical tube into the strainer which the water comes up, i assume this has a grill of some kind or would the ping pong balls fall down the hole and block the raw water pipes??

not sure if i have explained myself, a picture says a thousand words... i just dont have one!!

thanks in advance...

 

[SpottyDog5]

It would soon suck your balls up if they dropped !

 

[LukcyOne]

We have D6's as well and will be interested in the opinons...

Here is a pic:

 

[z1ppy]

That's the one. There is a kinda vertical tube in the centre which I was trying to explain! If I get 10 mins on the way to work tomorrow I will go via the boat for a picture!

 

[Solitaire]

Afternoon,

When they are running the both fill up no problem....

Then stop worrying! it is not unusual for the filters to empty out when engines not running. It's when the engines are running and there is no circulation you have a problem!

I trust you check the filters each time before you go out like what you were taught! Sometimes just opening the top will release pressure that will drop water level.

 

[z1ppy]

I trust you check the filters each time before you go out like what you were taught! .

Yes Mr Solitaire!!

Always start the engines with hatch lifted so i can see the strainers fill after they have been checked first.

attached are some pretty poor pictures taken this morning to try and show the tube thing that comes up into the strainer.

 

[noelex]

I would check the syphon break on the port engine. If the syphon break is on the exhaust side and the impellor makes a perfect seal, the water can remain. So the syphon break is not necessarily defective, but they do often stick and you can do a lot engine damage.

If it drains you know the syphon break is working.

 

[spannerman]

Ther are no syphon breaks on D4-6 engines, if the water goes down then air is getting in somewhere which conversely also means water can get out so check for salt marks around the port side of engine where all of the seawater system is on a D6, and at the back of the engine where it crosses to the exhaust on its way out.
Syphon breaks generally belong to boats with sails that usually have the motor mounted below the water line.

 

[noelex]

Syphon breaks generally belong to boats with sails that usually have the motor mounted below the water line.

Yes you are right. Sorry I don’t often see boats with the engines mounted more than a foot above the waterline.
I must not assume in future maybe I need to mix with bigger and better boats

 

[z1ppy]

Thanks Spannerman. Will have a look next time im down.

 

[aquatom]

It's quiet normal on outdrive boats that when the engine is stopped the exhaust preshure in the leg forces the water back out of the system if the impeller stops in a position where it can be allowd to run back.

All normal no need to panic!