VP 2003 Exhaust

[JackFrobisher]

I have a problem with a leak at the exhaust elbow on my VP 2003. The gasket (red arrow) has no sealant - should it?

Is there a core plug (orange arrow) and could (should) I remove it to clear the waterway (which I think might be clogged up)?

TIA for any advice that comes my way.

 

[rob2]

Your link unfortunately doesn't take me to your photo. I just get invited to sign into Yahoo. Please excuse me if the following is too simplistic or misses the point.

Many exhaust gaskets do not use sealant. Are you leaking exhaust gases or water? Exhaust elbows frequently coke up and with water injection it happens more rapidly as the gases are cooled. It is part of normal maintenance to remove the elbow and scrape it out or soak it in some solution to clean them out. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to find that the elbow is badly corroded as well, so once the crud is removed it has cracks or holes in it. Some people advocate coating the inside of the new one with epoxy to dealy the corrosion.

Likewise, the water jacket can get filled with deposits which pack down like laying down limestone! If you can get access to a lot of it and scrape out what you can, then filling with Ridlyme or similar will stand a good chance of really getting it clean, but check whether your choice of acid is harmful to the engine (iron or ali?).

If you're out of the water at the moment at least you'll have plenty of time to get it done and may be able to take some of the bits home to clean up in the warm without having to row back and forth!

Rob.

 

[JackFrobisher]

Thanks for the reply.

Photo now posted.

The leak is water. It happened since I took off the elbow last year to clean it. I'd been having a number of water leaks and suspected that the point where the water exits the elbow into the exhaust was clogged causing some increase in pressure in the seawater side, which was causing the leaks. It went back at the beginning of the season with a new gasket but has leaked from the beginning. I have tried tightening the bolts but I'm reluctant to go down that route any further for fear of shearing a bolt or stripping a thread.

Getting access to the point where the water exits the elbow is next to impossible hence my wondering if the core plug was the way in...

 

[VicS]

Still no photo!

 

[Sans Bateau]

OK, been there. First, ensure that the inside of the exhaust elbow is clear of all soot and limescale, as possible. Dont remove any core plugs, I cannot see that will help. Make sure that the surface of the cylinder block is clean and flat, I removed the studs holding the elbow and used course wet/dry on a block of wood. I had to drill and re-tap one of the holes in the block, use new studs. The surface of the elbow was also cleaned and checked to ensure it was completely flat, a piece of glass is good for that, you dont want any 'rock', I used a 1st cut draw file to achieve this. Reassembly, I used a silicone gasket cement from a car factors, suitable for exhaust heat. I put a 2 mm layer on the block and the same on the elbow, but I let it go nearly solid before reassembly, and then dont overtighten the bolts, you dont want to squeeze out all the silicone, but of course tight enough (theres a challenge!).

After a full season with a lot of motoring I have no leaks.

 

[skip50]

OK, been there. First, ensure that the inside of the exhaust elbow is clear of all soot and limescale, as possible. Dont remove any core plugs, I cannot see that will help. Make sure that the surface of the cylinder block is clean and flat, I removed the studs holding the elbow and used course wet/dry on a block of wood. I had to drill and re-tap one of the holes in the block, use new studs. The surface of the elbow was also cleaned and checked to ensure it was completely flat, a piece of glass is good for that, you dont want any 'rock', I used a 1st cut draw file to achieve this. Reassembly, I used a silicone gasket cement from a car factors, suitable for exhaust heat. I put a 2 mm layer on the block and the same on the elbow, but I let it go nearly solid before reassembly, and then dont overtighten the bolts, you dont want to squeeze out all the silicone, but of course tight enough (theres a challenge!).

After a full season with a lot of motoring I have no leaks.

This is on my To Be Done List, I take it from your description that you used the silicone gasket cement instead of the VP gasket, which is available from keyparts at £6.89? Did you have any particular reason for your choice?

 

[JackFrobisher]

Photo

Still no photo!

Oer. I can see it. Wonder what's wrong...

http://www.ybw.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=673&pictureid=3617

 

[JackFrobisher]

OK, been there. First, ensure that the inside of the exhaust elbow is clear of all soot and limescale, as possible. Dont remove any core plugs, I cannot see that will help. Make sure that the surface of the cylinder block is clean and flat, I removed the studs holding the elbow and used course wet/dry on a block of wood. I had to drill and re-tap one of the holes in the block, use new studs. The surface of the elbow was also cleaned and checked to ensure it was completely flat, a piece of glass is good for that, you dont want any 'rock', I used a 1st cut draw file to achieve this. Reassembly, I used a silicone gasket cement from a car factors, suitable for exhaust heat. I put a 2 mm layer on the block and the same on the elbow, but I let it go nearly solid before reassembly, and then dont overtighten the bolts, you dont want to squeeze out all the silicone, but of course tight enough (theres a challenge!).

After a full season with a lot of motoring I have no leaks.

Thank you.

 

[JackFrobisher]

To Be Done

This is on my To Be Done List, I take it from your description that you used the silicone gasket cement instead of the VP gasket, which is available from keyparts at £6.89? Did you have any particular reason for your choice?

Good old Toby Dunne. He's been a good friend of mine for many years.

 

[theoldsalt]

Still no photo.

Link in post 7 takes me to a blank page.

 

[JackFrobisher]

Picture

Still no photo.

Link in post 7 takes me to a blank page.

I've just checked the picture (in my album) and underneath it says "Picture Awaiting Moderator Approval". I guess that explains it. It will show up sometime...

 

[Sans Bateau]

This is on my To Be Done List, I take it from your description that you used the silicone gasket cement instead of the VP gasket, which is available from keyparts at £6.89? Did you have any particular reason for your choice?

I used the gasket and the silicon. Belt and braces!