Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

[nautibake]

Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

During Irma we got a new appreciation for insurance coverage. Thankfully we didn’t need it, but we decided to increase our level of coverage. Insurance company required an in water survey. We were able to increase our coverage by $165K, but surveyor noted a few items to be addressed. Most all are minor and I can address, but I will likely need someone for the exhaust.

Port engine has developed pinhole leaks in what I think is the surge tube. Here are a couple of pics. You can see rust stains on deck below where leaks have developed.

Question: is this an obvious replacement item, or is it repairable? Is it critical or is it just something to keep an eye on? I have heard the horror stories about the worst case scenarios with water getting to the engine. Just not sure if this is what could lead to that. As always, any thoughts appreciated.

Jerry

 

[Boatsb]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

If its below the waterline it's critical to do it out of the water. If there's not a shop locally call me and I can have it copied.

I'd not patch it as there's no good reason to take a chance another area won't fail.

 

[SEVEN]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

If one area is going bad surely there will be future erosion in areas near by. Just as easy to replace with new and have piece of mind you’re safe. Have fun.

 

[BOATER BOB]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Looks like you could replace with a fiberglass 90 and the appropriate reducer and new hose.
Bob

 

[jim rosenthal]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

For a surge tube, it is rather short. If you are going to the expense of having this copied in FRP, which is a good idea, is there room to make the surge tube longer?

 

[Cricket]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Have them made out of fiberglass and be done with it. You could lightly scratch up the area around the holes and apply some epoxy that will cure underwater over the holes as TEMP repair till the new ones are ready. Also agree that the surge portion could be a little longer if you have room.

 

[nautibake]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Thanks Gents - very much appreciated.

By a scheduling fluke I got a competent mechanic on board today. He will remove the exhaust, but I will need to find a shop to send it to.

Scott - can I take you up on finding replacement? It is close to the waterline but I'll confirm when I get back on board (Wednesday). Rose Marina has a 75 ton lift so that is not a problem, but I guess I would need to be on the hard until the new exhaust is ready. Hopefully this can be done in water.

I like the FRP option. I guess with surge tubes, bigger is better? Sorry, not sure of the engineering.

We're looking to schedule the removal right after Thanksgiving. Hope so, we were planning on traveling over the holidays...

 

[nautibake]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Have them made out of fiberglass and be done with it. You could lightly scratch up the area around the holes and apply some epoxy that will cure underwater over the holes as TEMP repair till the new ones are ready. Also agree that the surge portion could be a little longer if you have room.

Thanks Cricket, great suggestion on the epoxy temp replacement. Is there a particular epoxy that would work best (seems like it would need some kind of wrap and of course be able to withstand high termeratures)?

 

[kingsley_oasis]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

I have done mine in the water before. 61CMY which are just above water line. Used small fender inflated into out let in stern. Make sure you do not use to much inflation pressure. And I also clamped a plug, in my case a suitable sized saucepan at inboard end of rubber coupler.

 

[Cricket]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Helped a friend patch up his wet riser that must have had 20 pinholes between both engines, the epoxy was a 2 part clay (2 colors) like material that you needed together before applying. he got through the summer with them before replacing, can't remember the brand. The exhaust shops probably have a fill in the blank form to create new ones from so you can just swap them out without getting stuck hauled out for a long period. You can always plug up the exhaust tube with something that can be inflated, I like to plug it on both ends if it's going to be overnight or longer.

 

[rsmith]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Thanks Cricket, great suggestion on the epoxy temp replacement. Is there a particular epoxy that would work best (seems like it would need some kind of wrap and of course be able to withstand high termeratures)?

JBWeld

 

[oceanjake]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Marine Tex is the right epoxy for this job. It mixes to a consistency you can brush on. Honestly it would last for years but no, it’s not “right”

 

[nautibake]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. Sounds like Marine Tex or JB Weld would do the trick, perhaps indefinitely. I would love to punt this into next summer if possible and then take the time to do it right outside of prime cruising season down here in S FL.

Also Jim - appreciate your observation on the length of the surge tube. I'll keep that in my notes when I get the proper replacement done.

 

[maj75]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Check with the insurance surveyor that that is an acceptable repair. Since it has been noted as a issue, you have to be careful. If you half-@ss a repair, you may jeopardize your coverage should that exhaust fail.

 

[Cricket]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Do the right thing and replace. The pin holes could turn into a piece falling out and then you're on the bottom. It would be easy for an insurance investigator to deny a claim once they see the repair, a little further insurance investigation, like reading SAMS and claim denied. Some of the bigger exhaust shops may already have a drawing for your surge tubes to be able to fabricate or create a drawing and have them pre-made. It's an easy swap out once you have the new tubes.

 

[nautibake]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Finally got the quote to replace one exhaust elbow in Port ER, with boat in water. $5200 ($3000 parts and $2200 labor). Will keep looking for some other options. Any other comparisons out there?

 

[MadHatter53]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Ouch !! Is that for stainless or glass ?

 

[nautibake]

Re: Insurance survey – Port engine exhaust pinhole leaks

Ouch !! Is that for stainless or glass ?

That was my reaction exactly! This is for one fiberglass exhaust elbow.