Mighty Majestic
New Member
- Sep 8, 2017
- 14
- Boat Info
- 2003 SeaRay Sundancer 380; AB Dinghy
- Engines
- Mercruiser 8.1s Horizon
Boat: 03 Sundancer 380; Gas MerCruiser 8.1S Horizons
Owner for 33 months, Moored in freshwater, cruise in salt water
Aliya here. New to the forum but have met many of you at SeaRay events. I'm pretty darn handy and have fixed the generator, done electrical and crawled in spaces you shouldn't be able too. So... here's the question.
Our Port side heat exchanger seems to be leaking or sprinkling salt water on the starboard engine, near belts AND forming salt stalagmites on the port alternator. Seriously not good. The rubber gasket looks to be 4" instead of 3.75" per specs.
We ran the engines in neutral at 2500 RPM so I could take a look at them, it looked like it was just getting moist under the gasket area, above the two hoses. We are thinking that if we run port closer to 3700 RPM might be when it's sprinkling or spraying the area. Did not try but probably will once I get ear plugs.
We are in Roche Harbor right now waiting on parts to arrive. It seems pretty straight forward to remove the bolt, cover and 0-ring and old gasket with new. I've looked online for any YouTube videos on this and found something similar but not exact.
One video mentioned, closing the seacock. Maintenance and parts guys, have not mentioned I need to do that. The seacocks (I don't think) have ever been closed.
1) Do I need to close the seacock? Can I change gasket with it open?
I'm planning on covering the alternator and hoses near the gasket before letting the water out of the cylinder and into a bucket of sorts.
2) And helpful hints on changing the gasket? It seems pretty straight forward.
Thanks SeaRay-ers!
Owner for 33 months, Moored in freshwater, cruise in salt water
Aliya here. New to the forum but have met many of you at SeaRay events. I'm pretty darn handy and have fixed the generator, done electrical and crawled in spaces you shouldn't be able too. So... here's the question.
Our Port side heat exchanger seems to be leaking or sprinkling salt water on the starboard engine, near belts AND forming salt stalagmites on the port alternator. Seriously not good. The rubber gasket looks to be 4" instead of 3.75" per specs.
We ran the engines in neutral at 2500 RPM so I could take a look at them, it looked like it was just getting moist under the gasket area, above the two hoses. We are thinking that if we run port closer to 3700 RPM might be when it's sprinkling or spraying the area. Did not try but probably will once I get ear plugs.
We are in Roche Harbor right now waiting on parts to arrive. It seems pretty straight forward to remove the bolt, cover and 0-ring and old gasket with new. I've looked online for any YouTube videos on this and found something similar but not exact.
One video mentioned, closing the seacock. Maintenance and parts guys, have not mentioned I need to do that. The seacocks (I don't think) have ever been closed.
1) Do I need to close the seacock? Can I change gasket with it open?
I'm planning on covering the alternator and hoses near the gasket before letting the water out of the cylinder and into a bucket of sorts.
2) And helpful hints on changing the gasket? It seems pretty straight forward.
Thanks SeaRay-ers!