Volvo Penta 2030 engine cooling question

[VicS]

I too have an Oceanranger and the piddle through the small hexagonal hull fitting on the starboard side is, i've always understood, simply a 'tell-tale' giving a visible indication that the seawater cooling system is running fine.

Not just a tell tale but more importantly it is the route by which air will enter to break the syphon when the engine is stopped.

While it's peeing it confirms that the vent is not blocked and should therefore function as intended when the engine is stopped

 

[Allergy]

I too have an Oceanranger and the piddle through the small hexagonal hull fitting on the starboard side is, i've always understood, simply a 'tell-tale' giving a visible indication that the seawater cooling system is running fine.

I have a 2020b with the 'tell-tale' & if the stream of water increases I know it is time to clean the exhaust elbow.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Not just a tell tale but more importantly it is the route by which air will enter to break the syphon when the engine is stopped.

While it's peeing it confirms that the vent is not blocked and should therefore function as intended when the engine is stopped

Vic - you are quite right - this is a standard Westerly fitting and if its not peeing it means the water is not pumping out or the thing is blocked. In the Med it is the favourite place for a wasp to make its next - blocking it with the nest. The OP's unit must have been leaking (normally from lack of any maintenance) for a long time. He should just clean it up and check that the hex nut on the outside is not blocked. Sea water dripping from up there will play havoc with the volvos electrics!

Its a good reliable system for venting.

 

[RichardS]

I have a 2020b with the 'tell-tale' & if the stream of water increases I know it is time to clean the exhaust elbow.

That sounds odd. I have a tell-tale on my outboard and it decreases when things are starting to get blocked.

Richard

 

[VicS]

That sounds odd. I have a tell-tale on my outboard and it decreases when things are starting to get blocked.

Richard

Depends where the blockage is relative to the telltale. With an inboard diesel the exhaust elbow is right at the end of the cooling water flow so any restriction will increase the pressure further back.

With the outboard its quite possible for the restriction to be upstream of the telltale

 

[RichardS]

Depends where the blockage is relative to the telltale. With an inboard diesel the exhaust elbow is right at the end of the cooling water flow so any restriction will increase the pressure further back.

With the outboard its quite possible for the restriction to be upstream of the telltale

Ah yes .... I thought we were talking about anti-syphon gizmos in the exhaust system to stop syphoning back through the exhaust but I should have read the whole thread.

Richard