Righto Legends
Need help with a problem with the Volvo Penta 18hp sail drive, no water coming through the engine/out the wet exhaust. Previously changed the intake (professional job) from the sail drive to a separate seacock. Impeller okay, changed thermostat today, lines not leaking.
If I take off the hose from the seacock and open the seacock water does not rush through into the boat, should it?
Where to from here? Any suggestions appreciated.
The Razor
where to from here ? ..... slip boat out of the water,.... replace seacock . and skin fitting if required.
oh !! and yes water should rush in the inlet if the tap is open so its not opening or blocked, i had similar problem .... then the handle broke off and ..... it was not turning on.
I had a similar problem with my 28hp Volvo, it turned out to be the exhaust elbow was corroded and would not allow water to flow out.
We tried a acid bath for two days to remove the corrosion but without success.
Had to buy a new one, not difficult to fit but use gaset grease to seal between elbow and engine head.
You can check if it is the exhaust elbow by disconnecting the water line that enters the elbow and connecting it to a length of hose and then into a bucket.
Run the engine and if water flows into the bucket it must be the elbow.
Ah seabird, you were spot on with your answer. It was the exhaust elbow. Got it off and managed to fix it in the acid bath, so happy days.
To answer about water coming into seacock.
I think seacock is open but the height of seacock say 6 inches above hull is not enough to let water flow through. Inlet is not very deep below surface thus there is not much pressure. It needs the impeller not the force of the water from outside the boat to get water to the motor.
Once elbow was cleared, happy days, heaps of pressure.
I had similar blockages, even cockpit was flooded. I use marina fresh water pressure, just blasted- from inside-out. Did do the job.What was blocking, guess barnacles or something.
thats what i want to know also cant get to elbow if not coming into boat
