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Working in the field



The anchorage, although we stopped here for all the wrong reasons, has turned out to be a really nice one. Of course with 5-10 knot winds you can anchor almost anywhere and be comfortable, but fate has decided to float us here where there's not another boat in site except for those travelling down the ICW. As usual, the only waves are coming from the big powerboats. Star made a great Cornish Game Hen dinner last night and we tried to take our minds off of our engine issues, saving them until this morning.



Up with the sun bright and early I started work on the coolant leak, working here in field conditions with Star yelling down to me whenever a big wake is approaching. The fitting is on the exhaust manifold after the waterpump, and the only way to remove and work on it is to loosen the alternator, remove the alternator/water pump belt, unbolt the water pump and starter, and pull the pump out. I did this, and found that the little rubber bushing had folded back. I set it straight, realigned the tube, and put everything back together. Filled the coolant back up with the last of my anti-freeze, and had no leaks. Started the engine, still no leaks, until it got warm and I revved it up to 1500 rpm, then I had a drip from the same spot every 7 seconds. That's about 9 drops a minute too many, so now I'm waiting for the engine to cool back down and I'll give it another go. This time I think I'll try a little of the 'waterpump and thermostat housing rtv silicone gasket' that I have onboard, and see if that will help. I'm starting to wonder if the pressure relief in my coolant reservoir cap is not working, and maybe I'm building up too much pressure. I had just rented a coolant pressure tester two weeks ago and it held pressure at 10# for an hour. The cap is labeled with a metric pressure that converts to 7.5#, so I'm a little surprised to be having the problems. Oh well, back to it.....

Update 1:15 PM- Took it all back apart, this time completely removing the water pump and coolant lines, put new rubber bushings on and sealed the problem section with a little of the gasket material. Tested with engine out of gear, warm, at 1800 rpm with no leaks!! Current plan is to take off tomorrow morning while the tide is with us and head north to Ft. Pierce and anchor between the bridges by Taylor Creek and Harbortown Marina.

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 25, 2009 at 1:08 PM

    Like your blog, remember us? Herb and Laura, are guys doing the spring fling, how's the engine doing. Where did you cruise to?
    I started a blog about the same time, try this........ http://travelswithherblaura.blogspot.com/

    Oh yeh, we will crew for for almost nothing, you could probably get us to pay you. Have Fun!

    Herb

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 26, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    Hey Andy, Hey Star, This is Clyde. Reading your blog and happy to see the coolant leak appears to be taken care of! Good work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AndyApril 26, 2009 at 3:16 PM

    You need a MM to help you with the engine. Great work on the blogging and good luck with the voyage.

    ReplyDelete

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