Maxi_10
Member
We bought our boat in the summer and spent 6 weeks cruising the west country and Brittany to learn what we could about her. We plan to live aboard from next April, so are carrying out various works over the winter.
I have seen several threads about saildrive diaphrams and heat exchanger cleaning in the past. So as I have a few photos I thought they might be of interest.
I had the work done by Alan Ganter Marine, Alan was kind enough to let me watch and explain what he was doing and why, so hopefully I can do it myself in the future.
View attachment 15531
first the engine was supported on a custom made bar, this allowed the engine mounts to be removed. In fact the engine did not have to be moved forward, as is often the case, to allow the saildrive to be removed.
View attachment 15527
the saildrive leg was dismantled to allow the diaphram to be replaced, the old one was made in 2004 (unknown to me before) so was due to be changed.
Note the mussels in the water path of the leg.
View attachment 15528
the end caps of the heat exchanger were removed, again note the inlet side is full of mussles
View attachment 15529
heat exchanger tubes were rodded through but were actually clear.
View attachment 15530
the water injector into the exhaust was badly blocked the opening reduced by 50%
All the blockages were removed and cleaned and the engine re assembled. To give you an idea of the effect of these blockages. the engine ran well, started first time, ran at 88 degrees from 2200 to 2800 rpm normal cruising at 6.5 to 7 knots. At flat out 3600 rpm the temperature rose to 100 degrees so I always felt there was a problem in the cooling. Hopefully now cured.
I also had a raw water stariner added although I don't know if this will stop the baby mussels getting into the system in future.
I have seen several threads about saildrive diaphrams and heat exchanger cleaning in the past. So as I have a few photos I thought they might be of interest.
I had the work done by Alan Ganter Marine, Alan was kind enough to let me watch and explain what he was doing and why, so hopefully I can do it myself in the future.
View attachment 15531
first the engine was supported on a custom made bar, this allowed the engine mounts to be removed. In fact the engine did not have to be moved forward, as is often the case, to allow the saildrive to be removed.
View attachment 15527
the saildrive leg was dismantled to allow the diaphram to be replaced, the old one was made in 2004 (unknown to me before) so was due to be changed.
Note the mussels in the water path of the leg.
View attachment 15528
the end caps of the heat exchanger were removed, again note the inlet side is full of mussles
View attachment 15529
heat exchanger tubes were rodded through but were actually clear.
View attachment 15530
the water injector into the exhaust was badly blocked the opening reduced by 50%
All the blockages were removed and cleaned and the engine re assembled. To give you an idea of the effect of these blockages. the engine ran well, started first time, ran at 88 degrees from 2200 to 2800 rpm normal cruising at 6.5 to 7 knots. At flat out 3600 rpm the temperature rose to 100 degrees so I always felt there was a problem in the cooling. Hopefully now cured.
I also had a raw water stariner added although I don't know if this will stop the baby mussels getting into the system in future.