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Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2023 01:31:00 GMT
Exhaust Finished!
We are able to move again!
Well the big news today folks is that the engine is running and the exhaust
is finished. This has been a very long haul but it's finally done. I
went with Anamashi to US Metal Fabricators Inc in Dania Beach and picked
up the final weld. Overall they did fabulous work! They mirrored the
original system and hit it within 1/2 inch on the initial run. We went
back for a couple adjustments on piece #4 and now it is all together and
working. I tried many places to get it right and no one wanted to do it or
wanted to shortcut the design. These people helped me improve things with
better water flow but did not change the overall design. Even with
increasing the size of the water jacket the rolls and bends were perfect.
The welds on the water jacket are absolutely professional and I'm sure
when I finally sell this boat the exhaust will continue for another 50
years. After we mounted the final piece (#4) I started the engine and
she started right up. I was worried it wasn't producing water and then
remembered I hadn't opened the raw water seacock. After I opened it,
there was a delay as the exhaust filled with water. Then the water
started pouring out. After about 10 min the motor overheated and my heart
dropped when the alarm sounded! I turned off the engine, let it cool and
opened the coolant cap. The coolant was low. It hadn't run long enough
before for the thermostat to open. So I put more coolant in it (about a
quart and a half) Then we started it up again. After about 10 minutes it
overheated again and the alarm went off...then before I could go turn it
off the temp started dropping and stabilized about 130deg. I'm pretty sure
it was air pockets that needed to fill with coolant. Then I went to
inspect the exhaust and saw blackwater condensation and diesel smoke
coming out of the last weld. So, I got a big pipe wrench and after a
little vibration it tightened another full rotation and the flow of
exhaust gas stopped. Oh My! how wonderful it sounds to have that diesel
running properly! It sounds so much better! no diesel rattle and tick
tacking. Everything smooth and quiet. We are so excited!
As I went with the Dinghy to drop Anamashi back at the Tiki and pick up
Hannah, Wanda, and Sam the sky started darkening and storms rolled in. I
took Mom and Sam back first and then came back for Hannah and the laundry
and shopping and we rode back in the cool rain enjoying the nice break
from the heat. All the laundry was in plastic bags so it didn't get wet.
Now we are eating Beans and Rice and relaxing. We will probably celebrate
with friends after the storm abates. I'm so glad that we could accomplish
this here and that it didn't fail on is in another country or underway. We
now have a lot more confidence in the motor and generator both of which are
running properly and cleanly now. I will be updating our maintenance list
tonight and it's becoming much shorter. I have a spreadsheet with all the
work we have done and when how and who etc. This engine and exhaust project
was largely done by Sam and he's becoming very good with boat maintenace,
even major projects. Time to sign off now and celebrate! Good night all.