Sea Trial Problems
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- čas přidán 6. 09. 2024
- Our Meridian 341 is all prepped and ready for its first sea trial after being damaged in Hurricane Ian. We were just about to throw lines off the dock when I noticed a small water leak from the fuel pump on our Mercruiser 6.2 engines. The culprit - a leaky fitting
on the proprietary “Cool Fuel Module”.
We dismantle the hoses and pull the faulty unit out for inspection, cleaning and flushing of the Gen III Cool Fuel Module in preparation for its repair. The joys of boating!
Product links:
Salt Away: amzn.to/3Ah2JwR
Fuel filter kit amzn.to/3E46l6C
Got to love the engineers who give us so much room to work on our engines.
To be fair, there's a lot of stuff in that hull..
With an engine compartment that tight, I'd pass on the chance to own this money pit. But the captain does show appropriate attention to pre-cruise checklist that shows experience and good judgement.
Good eye Captain! Be sure to inspect those blue block drain plugs. I had one blow out on my 8.1 Merc. in the Chesapeake Bay, not a pretty sight.
I don’t have them on my older gen cool fuel module, but I have them on other parts of motor for draining purposes. I have plenty of spares!
Startred at The Dismal Swamp(hooked!)... great leg of the trip... following the repairs , yet again, more give great detail.. cheers, best of luck. Love Happy Hours layout
Just found your channel a few weeks ago. Enjoying the videos and just realized I used to work for you back in your 545 days.
Omg. Small world! How are you Andrew?
Dielectric grease is great for corrosion protection, aluminum, electrical, I use it everywhere
So close, but yet so far. I'm pulling for you!
Great video documentation. Unfortunately those early production Gen 3 fuel modules all fail, paint contamination or corrosion. My starboard pump corroded thru and actually allowed seawater into the internal fuel pump housing. If you use a tap for new threads and go with barb fittings, know there is very little aluminum there. Wishing you well with the repair, but inevitably you’ll need to go with the later production modules that are identified by the blue drain plug in front, under the fuel inlet.
Note if you modify that module you’ll have a hard time getting new ones from Merc thru their silent warranty on them.
I agree. Luckily my boat was mostly fresh water most of its life so corrosion is minimal. I’m expecting changeouts eventually.
good video ...as usual... congratulations. I have the same engine in my boat and after similar issues i instaled a fresh water flushing system. You could use it even if the boat stays in the water. All locals where you could connect a garden hose to a fresh water supply and that is all you need. Very simple and efficient.
I have a flush kit too. Easy to do and will be part of my schedule.
Plan B generally always means more $$$.
Hello Cap'tn. Came to your channel today at the Dismal Swamp by YT data base selection I guess. Found yours interesting. As a now too old boating guy of 60 yrs, I appreciate your frustration on this unit. You'd think with all the years these guys have had to build marine stuff, the designers could make a better product than that. It's going to be fun to watch your stuff from #1 which I intend to do. Liked of course and subbed. You're doing what my wife and I talked about doing, but aged out now we'll watch you and Brigitt.
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy the vids! Many more coming!
Like your flushing setup!
Only took me 30 years to get it right. Now I’m in florida. Lol
Boats and airplanes are about the hardest things to work on.
Whatever it takes. If you're not working on it, it ain't a boat. You'll get it figured out.
Hi Tom
The CFM was probably leaking for a while. That connection system of plastic/nylon nipples pressed into the two cooling ports by that flange and bolt is a bad design. It has been redesigned by Merc. to regular tapped in nipples and hose clamps. And based on how you worked those holes on that aluminum housing I'd say that you should move right onto Plan B which I guess is seeing if you can tap threads into each port and screw in new nylon nipples. If you go to Plan C, which I guess is buying a new CFM housing, you can easily transfer the two fuel pumps (low and high pressure) and all from your current housing. (Not a hard job . I have done it twice.) Just make sure you get a new grand piano shaped gasket for pump housing top that the regulator sits on. ALSO do get a new little orange gasket seal for the fuel outlet before you re-insert the s-tube back into the module... or you could gpo onto Plan D and buy a complete rebuilt unit,. C or Do that's how they come, with nylon screwed in nipples. (It's not good to screw brass into the aluminum due to metals electrolysis incompatibility.)
In Plan B or C or D you will need to get the old nylon nipples out of the dual hose cooling water feeds. It is much easier to cut the hoses back several inches and splice in new lengths using double ended nylon nipples and finishing all the connections with good SS hose clamps and toss out the flange and bolt thingy. Good luck with it. (You may have fixed it already. Not sure how old your videos are before you post them.) If I was down at our old place in FMB, or visiting our friends in Naples I'd come over and help ypu. Look forward to seeing how you make out.
Scott
Captain of M/V Kismet 2006 Meridian 341
Newburyport MA
Thanks Scott! Yes that was plan B. I’m in the middle of the repair now and hope to have it installed today. Sea trials tomorrow weather permitting. That video should be out in a few days or so.
Great video Captain!!!!
Hello cap. My dentist has one of those tools he scares me with it🥶
I was thinking many may not like that tool and sound. Lol
Great video
Hey Al how are you! Thanks!
@@AdventuresofHappyOurs all good starting to enjoy life
Great video!
How did you even know about it? Previous problems I'm assuming.
I've got a 2nd home in SW Cape. From the looks of the videos, west of you a bit. Glad to see things are coming along. I can't wait for the "sea trial".
I’ve read up on and watched many videos on problems occurring with these boats and engines so I have a good idea what to look out for.
Good catch! Hate to say it but you may want to do the other motor too while your at it. I realize there is a time delay in your videos.
Yes. Have some extra ones on hand and change them every few years. They can get brittle..
Really good work on the pre cruise checks- I would assume that leak was nothing to do with hurricane damage right? Just something that was happening for a while showing up? I know what you're thinking now...may as well remove and clean out the port engine fuel module thing!
I’m sure the storm moved it along with all the bashing around. Yes the starboard will be next. But that one is easy to get to!
Cool Fuel Module not too "cool"! Seems to me it should be stainless.
Damn!!
Bummer.
Be safe another storm 😢 is probably there already
will see some rain yes!
It's supposed to swing northward once it moves inland.
I would of just bought a new one
and they should of designed the couch to be removed for engine repairs....
You can remove them. But I need space to do it on a dock.
I can tell she ain't your first rodeo.
Nope. Been boating in one way shape or form for about 30 years.
Or actually before that; you are probably prepping for another damn storm!
If you plan on running this vessel in salt water I would pass on the purchase. Need to replace manifolds with stainless because its going to happen in salt that one day you will end up with a pin hole leak with these manfolds and water will get into one of the cylinders and you will be looking at an engine overhall
There are no such thing as stainless manifolds. The boat is perfectly outfitted for salt water.
How many days a year are these boats used? Maybe everyone should think again about owning one if it is used less than half the time people are living in Florida. Maybe they should rent them when needed.
I used mine all the time now that I’m in Florida.. I see many boats sitting for months unused however.
@@AdventuresofHappyOurs my point exactly.
How many were secured, anchored property???
Bo s should have four or more emergency contacts.!!
Thats a one sorry ass boat