Winter maintenance - And so it starts

[BruceK]

During this season I developed a slow oil weep somewhere behind all the coolers. The kind of thing that is a nuisance but not bad enough to interrup the season with. Also wanted to have the superchargers reconditioned. Electro magnetic clutch was being awkward leading me to disconnect the compressor belts.

Why is it on boat engines that not only is everything innaccessible, but you have to remove everything just to have a look-see?

So today was knuckle skinning day dismantling the port engine and removing compressors from both.



compressors / super chargers off and ready to be sent off.



Then came the laborious task of removing turbos' air intakes, various coolers etc to finally get to the oil cooler



and there is the slight oil leak. Looks like the end cap needs to be replaced or retinned



And all the coolant and oil back in my bilges So I'll have to redo the bilges again. Does my head in, I spent all last Saturday making sure the boat was clean and dry and spent hours in the bilges cleaning them out. Should have just waited

[Ianfs]

That's one hell of a wrench and a very clean pair of deck shoes for all that work.

Seriously, I feel your pain.

How did you get on with the repairs?

[BruceK]

Everything is now stripped off and on it's way to coastal rides. That wrench is for loosening the oil cooler filter. I use it to hold the body still while I undo the feeder and return hose pipes, otherwise the torque can twist and damage the housing. A temporary vice as it were. It also comes in handy for taking off the prop cones without special tool XYZ $$$

[Ianfs]

Hi Bruce

Did you manage to get your parts reconditioned with Coastal Rides?

[BruceK]

NO. I was AFAIC robbed! Long story, not a happy chap. However as their name is blazoned in a public forum I will say nothing more than if you decide to use them make sure you know exactly what you will be getting for your money and avoid disappointment. Personally I do not like masters of the half job when I'm paying.

grumble.

[MartynG]

Hopefully you are now sorted and will be able to rebuild everything and test its all working well within the warranty period.

If you should want it all to look as good a s new I understand the paint is matched by a Ford colour although I have not needed to try it. Ford Meadow Green.
http://www.halfords.com/motoring/paints ... aint-300ml

.

[BruceK]

Spent the last 24 hours onboard in the howling wind ...85mph trying to clean up the bilge mess I made before reassembling the engines. Given up now. Got a bit queasy with all the pitching and rolling. First time that's happened in ages. God its horrible out there. Diabolical.

[BruceK]

So was it worth it?



YES YES YES

Shake down tests done this weekend and final dress fitting of canvass
Superchargers, after a huge nightmare which we wont go into, service and replacement. Upsize on the propset, turbo service and Amanzi now hits a shade under 40Knts at WOT effortlessly. I could go an even bigger propset I think to absorb the power, but she's plenty quick now. The boat has been completely transformed. HUGE grin factor. New canopy now due Wednesday. Let the season commence

[Ianfs]

Glad you got it all sorted, she will look stunning in her new clothes.

[BruceK]

I hope so. And thank you. Easter cruise here we come . Lots of photos promised.