air actuated drain not working

[Jimmy Buoy]

When pumping air into my starboard engine's air actuated drain system, it will not accept much air volume and water will not drain. If the ring for the pressure relief valve is then pulled, there is a very brief "pffft!" along with some spray that comes out of the relief valve.:smt013

Looking in the shop manual (always purchase a full set with any boat) it states that water coming out of the relief valve is a sign that the drain system has had some kind of internal failure.:wow:

Anyone have this happen and if so, are these units able to be taken apart and repaired?? A new valve assembly is approx $350. Being in fresh water and always pulling the boat well before freezing temps (in heated storage) I'm not sure if there is any reason to have this work other than - I like everything to work on my boat the way it is supposed to work.:thumbsup:

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Like I said, indoor heated storage removes any fear of freezing. I don't even drain the hot/cold water system or A/C unit since it's guaranteed against freezing for the winter. ($3G should get me something!):lol:

I just thought since it's easy to drain, it would be nice not to have raw water sitting in there all winter.

Think I'll remove it and take a good look at how the little valves in there work. Maybe it can be repaired. Depends how bored I get over the next few months.:smt015

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

I know what you're saying, but it's been a pretty good gamble for the last few years. New well insulated building with workers living there and owners 1 block away. The place is fully alarmed wih tempature sensors and a heating backup system. If all that fails - he will make good any damage.:wow:

All that said... it would probably be best to just pump the thing up and drain it. We all know it would mean time out of the water come spring if repairs had to be done!:smt089

Noticed you are in Michigan City? My wife and I stayed there on our way home from Phoenix last September and thought it was quite a nice town. Made the mistake of following our GPS to Gary first and got he heck out of there fast! Michigan City was next on our way home. Before leaving Michigan City we toured the "Barker Mansion". It and the area history was amazing. Must be nice to be so close to Chicago.:thumbsup:

 

[Away Point]

Pardon my ignorance here...

Is an air actuated drain system related to draining the sea water side of a closed cooling system?

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Yes, it drains the raw water from the main heat exchanger, oil cooler, tranny cooler, exhaust manifolds, raw water pump, and associated hoses with a simple air pressure actuated set of valves/drains.

see this link...
http://www.perfprotech.com/store/as...YSTEM-1(S-N-0M027850-and-Below),7460-180.aspx

You could do the same thing by removing drain plugs, but this is designed to be simpler/quicker.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

This link shows the actual drain units for the curious.

http://www.perfprotech.com/store/assembly/WATER-DRAIN-SYSTEM,7460-200.aspx

 

[Away Point]

Yes, it drains the raw water from the main heat exchanger, oil cooler, tranny cooler, exhaust manifolds, raw water pump, and associated hoses with a simple air pressure actuated set of valves/drains.

see this link...
http://www.perfprotech.com/store/as...YSTEM-1(S-N-0M027850-and-Below),7460-180.aspx

You could do the same thing by removing drain plugs, but this is designed to be simpler/quicker.

Thanks!