Also, when I went to wipe the salt off, a piece of what felt like protruding gasket came with it. See picures...
—
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
Also, when I went to wipe the salt off, a piece of what felt like protruding gasket came with it. See picures...
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
I don't know about "normal" but all I can say is mine never looks like that! I usually have a little green coloured discoloration around the edges, that's about all...
---- Howard & Linda Matwick ----
--- S/V "Silhouette" - Nanaimo, BC ----
--- 1999 C36 MkII #1776 M35BC ---
I would venture there is a leak right there. Some of it salt and some of it electrolysis of the metal. Looks like it should be taken apart, cleaned and if need be replace the gasket.
Gary Bain
S/V "Gone With The Wind"
Catalina 36', Hull #: 1056, Year: 1990, Engine: M-35
Standard Rig
Moored: Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Home: Auburn, Maine
Does your heat exchanger zinc look ok?
Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263
I'm going to pull the zinc next time I'm at the boat and have a looksee.
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
No, it shouldn't look like that.
The exchanger end gaskets (both ends) and their associated O-ring should be replaced on a regular basis...as you're in salt water I suggest at least annually. In salt water, you should probably check the zinc at least every three months until you get a feel for the wear rate.
A variation on the above: I almost never open the portside end cap because the zinc area is what I want to see. I open the starboard end cap top look for debris from the zinc.
You purchase the zinc with a length longer than what is proper for the exchanger. Just gently hacksaw the zinc so that it screws into the mounting hole without impinging on the exchanger core. If you put a zinc in while the end cap is removed it's easy to see what the zinc is doing. If it's too long the fragile zinc can crush - ie, crumble - and then it will be ineffective against corrosion, and the crumbled debris could take a trip around your cooling system.
When you reinstall the end cap with a new gasket and o-ring, the gasket goes directly against the exchanger body, then the o-ring goes outboard (against the end cap) of that. Putting the o-ring on the exchanger body side and then large gasket outboard will make for a poor seal.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Thanks for the excellent advice, Larry. I just ordered the gasket and o-ring kit for both sides, and will install as soon as they arrive. I have always half dreaded the idea that I might have to mess with the heat exchanger some day. But after reading your reply, it prompted me to further look up everything you spoke about, and based on your advice and the pictures I found, I now realize the job should be quite easy.
Thanks for helping to remove the mystery of the operation!
All the best--JAS
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
To eliminate salt buildup on my heat exchanger (and the rest of my engine and exhaust system for that matter), I made a fresh-water flush system for my engine when I moved the boat from a lake to the ocean, so my engine is always bathed in a freshwater/Saltaway solution. My engine mechanic hates me. He says my engine will last forever. :-)
I posted this setup on another thread. I can point you to that, and include pictures. It's really easy to set up and run. A couple of fittings from Ace Hardware and a 5-gallon bucket. Been working great for years.
Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263
Sounds very intriguing...sure, send the link!
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
Sounds very intriguing...sure, send the link!
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California
I couldn't find my old link. Maybe I was dreaming? Anyway, here is the new link:
https://www.catalina36.org/forum/technical-discussion/how-make-fresh-water-flush-your-engine
Ben Ethridge
Miami, FL
1984 MK1 Hull# 263
Wow, pretty snazzy! I might just have to build me one of those... Thanks!
Joel Schwartz
s/v Get-A-Grip
1993 Catalina 36 Hull #1259
Newport Beach, California