Westerbeke need a siphon break??

[PlayDate]

Generally speaking a siphon break only helps in one direction which is providing an air break to the right of the siphon break in the image below. The hose on the left side of the siphon break is blocked by the impeller so the siphon break does nothing for it. I can't speak to whether it actually helps or not. My Quicksilver was not installed with one but it's replacement, a Westerbeke, required one. It is possible they wanted the line to release the column of water into the elbow but from an engineering point of view....it doesn't look like it makes a lot of difference.

The image below does a great job of showing how water can fill the muffler and the exhaust hose causing water to flow back into the engine well before it finds its way outside the boat. The siphon break will not stop that from happening. The take away is to temporarily close the seacock if you are running a compression test or are having a hard time starting the generator.

 

[midexp]

OK I rerouted my water hose so there's a loop and installed a siphon break valve like the in CliffA's picture, but my valve is pointed down where's his is pointing up. I started the genny and am getting water flowing out of the valve. I can't believe this is normal? Perhaps it's got to be point up?

 

[PlayDate]

OK I rerouted my water hose so there's a loop and installed a siphon break valve like the in CliffA's picture, but my valve is pointed down where's his is pointing up. I started the genny and am getting water flowing out of the valve. I can't believe this is normal? Perhaps it's got to be point up?

It has to be pointing up.

 

[midexp]

It has to be pointing up.

OK thanks

 

[midexp]

It has to be pointing up.

So I turned the valve straight up and it still leaks a lot of water from the top. You valve doesn't leak at all?

 

[PlayDate]

It should be located at the highest point in your ER so that it creates an air break. It is a one way valve on top which air water in but under pressure will not let water out. I test them before I install them. Covering one end and blowing in the other = no air should escape. If you breathe in = air should enter valve. The valve is a little piece of rubber under the cap.

The valve may be bad.