Hello all, I'm trying to sort out a problem and thought I would send it out there to see if any one has had a similar problem. I have a 2001 MKII with an Ardic 432DL diesel marine cabin heater. It is very similar to Espar D4, but an older discontinued Swedish model bought out by the same company that owns Espar. The main unit is mounted in the port cockpit locker with the exhaust exiting through a ss fitting on the transom. There is one heat vent below the garbage can in the galley.
The problem I cannot seem to identify is that substantial amounts of diesel exhaust enters the cabin if the cockpit locker door is closed, however it does not while it is open. I can't tell if the fumes are coming from the heat vent, or from the cockpit locker via the louvered register near the fridge compressor. The heater worked flawlessly last winter, and so far this winter we cannot get it to run without smoking us out. I've checked for blockage in the exhaust pipe as well as back pressure from wind etc. My suspicion is there is some sort of puncture in the exhaust pipe, but I thought I would see if anyone else has any insight on this.
Thanks in advance for any information supplied.
Stephen Cameron
2001 Catalina 36 MKII hull#2012
Tall Rig Fin Keel
Vancouver, BC
I have a 2 year old Espar heater. I get an odor in the cabin with my system too. I've been trying to hunt down the cause, so far, not 100% sure but I have some suspicions.
A couple questions.
1. Do you use it at anchor or in your slip? If you use it in the slip, and the wind is from the wrong direction, it'll blow it back toward the cabin.
2. Do you have a dodger. If you do, with the wind over the bow (as at anchor) the dodger will create a 'station wagon effect' and suck the exhaust back under the dodger and into the cabin. (I find this occasionally while motoring also).
3. Which way does your fridge compressor fan blow? Mine blows [I]toward[/I] the cabin. This would take any small amount of fumes or odors from the heater and blow them through the vent into the galley.
I've found that at anchor, the odor is reduced by leaving the center portion of the dodger unzipped on each side (the clear portion, which rolls up on my dodger). This provides some airflow through the dodger reducing the station wagon affect. I only use it in the slip if I absolutely have to, as the wind usually finds a way to be from the wrong direction.
I'm still trying to figure out if there is a very slight exhaust leak somewhere but have yet to find it. I did find that the exhaust pipe is attached to the heater by a slip fit with a crimp on clamp, so may not be 100% vapor tight. I plan on removing it and sealing it with high temperature silicone this spring. We'll see how that goes. I also am considering a way to seal the vent between the cabin and the cockpit locker during the cold months, when cooling the fridge compressor isn't that important.
None of this may apply to your boat, but maybe some things for you to consider.
Gary and Cathy Price
1997 C36 Mk II Tall Rig/Wing Keel Imagine...
Hull # 1617
Worton Creek, Md.
Northern Chesapeake Bay
Gary, thanks for the reply.
I've only tried it in the slip so far, but after the first time it smoked the cabin, I ensured I was downwind. Generally our slip faces into a prevailing wind.
We have a full dodger and cockpit enclosure. I've tried with both the enclosure sealed and wide open for ventilation.
I never considered the fridge compressor fan. I'll try sealing the compressor vent between the locker and the galley and see if the fumes still enter. If so, then I can likely rule that out.
I'm of the mind that there is an exhaust leak in the system. Having used it last winter with little or no smell/fumes, my guess is something got punctured or banged out of place during the busy summer sailing season. Thanks for the input!
Stephen Cameron
2001 Catalina 36 MKII hull#2012
Tall Rig Fin Keel
Vancouver, BC
Hi Stephen;
I don't have any answers, but I thought I would reply to let you know I have exactly the same system as you (Ardic heater and layout) and have a full enclosure also. We have not noticed any issues with the exhaust getting into the cabin, thankfully, but I am willing to assist you if you have any questions as to the system.
Cheers;
Howard
---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----
--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----
--- 1999 C36 MkII #1776 M35BC ---
Thanks Howard, do you have a 30mm flexible SS exhaust pipe that is wrapped in a ~80mm insulated outer cover? My ardic has a combustion air input that draws from the cockpit and "cabin" air that draws from the port side locker. My guess is that if there is an exhaust leak in the system, then the cabin air input on the system will suck that exhaust back into the system. That is the result of why no fumes if the cockpit locker is open, yet smokey cabin of the locker is closed. Same system? Mine was installed by Scan in Seattle.
Stephen Cameron
2001 Catalina 36 MKII hull#2012
Tall Rig Fin Keel
Vancouver, BC
My boat originally came from Seattle also. It does sound like the same layout, with the ss flexible hose and location, etc.
---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----
--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----
--- 1999 C36 MkII #1776 M35BC ---