Flame Arrestor

[chollyjohn]

Solvent typically would mean prepsol or paint thinner. Moisture like anything is better to stay away from to prevent corrosion and unlike the early models, when you were told to coat the surface and blot dry with light oil, todays fine web designs should not carry any residue. Here's a good link:

http://powerandmotoryacht.com/columns/maintenanceqa/0602qa/

I mentioned earlier about using brake cleaner, since it works the best I ever used since the product usualy has ingredients to help bust away dirt, dust and grime associated with conditions in the engine compartment. Int he end...to each his own!

 

[Turtlesboat]

what gas engine boat do you own that you can't remove a flame arrestor without removing risers and elbows?

 

[jitts3]

Shoot fire at it. Have Wingless hold it for you.

 

[mwph]

Like most post here, my manual specifically states to remove the flame arrestor for cleaning. As I stated earlier, even as new as I am I kind of figured that.

So my question to anyone suggesting the "clean in place method".......Just exactly where does all this gunk end up after you've blown it through the arrestor?

I'm pretty sure I know the answer & I'm damn sure I dont want to purposely deposit any dirt there.

 

[wingless]

Wingless, a flame arrestor is not engine specific, there is no difference in the manuals between boat models. Check your manuals again.

Wow.

Thanks for the advice. Nope, the words haven't changed.

what gas engine boat do you own that you can't remove a flame arrestor without removing risers and elbows?

Check my sig.

 

[osd9]

Here's a pic of the motors that were in my 2002 380DA with 8.1s.....

I would remove the plastic shroud and then remove the flame arrestor every spring and clean them....never had to remove the elbows.....but then again, I also didn't remove my HWH to winterize it either!!!!

 

[tdappleman]

We need to update Wingless' avatar to warn people to not use his advice.... Here is a suggestion:

and sized for the avatar space:

And if that doesn't work:

 

[osd9]

I think I just figured this all out.....Ol' wingy doesn't do any of the crap himself that he talks about.... there's a mechanic somewhere in RI who has him so 'bam-boozilled' and is over-charging him for all this extra work. Then wingy puts up a post like he did it and he claims that it has to be done.

So, in all reality, what he has is a 'really cool mechanic'.....I'll bet his mechanic's name is Madoff!!!!!

 

[ImpulseIII]

Here's a pic of the motors that were in my 2002 380DA with 8.1s.....

I would remove the plastic shroud and then remove the flame arrestor every spring and clean them....never had to remove the elbows.....but then again, I also didn't remove my HWH to winterize it either!!!!

Dominic,..maybe you did not have the necessary "cool mods"??

I'm just saying.

 

[Four Suns]

That would be as intelligent as not inspecting for raw water flow, or changing the raw water impeller annually, or casting off w/ a broken compass.

Is this directed at me? That's right... you didn't read or comprehend that raw water flow discussion and why one would want a reliable flow sensor when 1300 HP of diesel is venting only underwater... sorta like your ability to read a manual as described here...

What's wrong with changing the impeller annually? Oh wait... you should wait till they fail... that's right. More great advice from the clown boy.

Not sure what you are talking about on the broken compass. I have an upgraded helm compass, a handheld Ritchie sighting compass, a compass in my binoculars, a KVH heading sensor, and an Airmar heading sensor in my PB100 weather station... on top of two fixed-mount GPS systems with automatic failover and a handheld in case they both fail. You know something I don't? Oh wait... I have a couple of old Raymarine fluxgate pucks sitting somewhere in the shop... along with an the original broken helm compass on the 480. send me your address... I'll send those to you for free.

 

[StressAweigh]

I just can't understand why you would have the take the risers and elbows off to remove the FLAME ARRESTOR on this engine

 

[wingless]

I assume that you are immediately following this up with the procedure for removing the throttle body and intake and mopping up all of the crud that you just flushed deep down into the engine?

What crud? My flame arrestors always look clean.

My bad for failing to point out that prior to this service the boat is fixtured in a large complex rotating device that slings any excess solvent onto the exhaust manifold. That is covered w/ newspaper to keep it clean too.

The sling force is set to approximately 1G.

Every time I've removed the intake plenum and throttle body for cleaning and inspection it permitted confirmation that there hasn’t been any “crud” or solvents introduced into the intake from cleaning in-place.

Again, please don’t attempt any service beyond your skills. Purchase, read, understand and follow the correct FSM for your boat / engine. On-line information is not a substitute for using the appropriate factory reference material.

 

[wingless]

I just can't understand why you would have the take the risers and elbows off to remove the FLAME ARRESTOR on this engine

Great pic, thanks.

The flame arrestor is retained w/ ~8" studs. Half go through the throttle body, retaining it to the plenum.

The other half go through the flame arrestor. It is retained w/ the plastic-tipped nuts.

Once the plastic-tipped nuts are removed, it isn’t possible to slide the flame arrestor off w/o hitting the elbow.

It isn’t possible to remove all the studs from the plenum either, to get it off that way.

 

[jg300da]

Once the plastic-tipped nuts are removed, it isn’t possible to slide the flame arrestor off w/o hitting the elbow..

Doesn't the arrestor lift straight up once the retaining nuts are removed?
Nevermind, I see the exploded view below.

 

[StressAweigh]

You cant't just take off the intake plenum to gain access???

 

[RollerCoastr]

I have the same challenge. I've never thought of removing the whole plenum. I guess that would work, but removing the elbow is a good opportunity to check for internal corrosion.

 

[osd9]

Wait a minute....either I'm really getting old (which I am) but didn't wingy have 2002 380 in his sig? Hey Wingy....did you just update that to 2000 380???????

 

[billandamy]

My FSM states to clean flame arrestor in solvent.

An on-line forum is not a substitute for a factory service manual. It is not a substitute for training and experience.

My Mercury MerCruiser manual, which I happen to have at work today (lunchtime reading as I want to go through it again before the season starts), states to remove, then wash with warm water and soap.

Scanned in below for reference.

As well, I have never heard of anyone cleaning an arrestor on any machine while on an engine. You are risking the chance of that crap getting into your engine, thus just one of the reasons why you remove it.

Not trying to jump on the bandwagon, and I am no expert on boating, but this manual and any one I have ever seen on any engine maint. you remove the arrestor.

Dont be lazy, or if you must be have a trained mechanic do it for you.