Exhaust Hose Water Leak-gctid818822

[pgiconch]

Wondered why there was so much water in the bilge once home docked after taking possession 1998 BL Ciera 2655 with Mercruiser 5.7L and Alpha I Gen II sterndrive. Discovered today that when engine is running, water is running out of the bottom edge of where the rubber connector/hose meets the stern exhaust Y-Pipe. Happening on both sides. Picture (port side hose) shows the water "spurting" out. Question - does the entire riser and elbow pipe need to come out to replace these or can it be done just pulling the elbow and both riser to elbow hose? (if the later, I would expect to replace all four rubber hose/couplers). Would appreciate feedback on proper procedure.

TIA.

(Sorry - having a problem getting pic to upload from PC. Will try from phone).

[green650]

Loosen all the hose clamps and you can wiggle those couplers off.

Are the couplers damaged or were they improperly replaced?

You might just need to tighten the clamps.

More likely though, it overheated and melted the hose, which means there are other problems upstream.

[Ruffryder]

latter option, just pull the elbow

[pgiconch]

I tried the clamp tighten route. No joy. Have been trying to wiggle them off with all clamps - top & bottom - off altogether. It may be that they are just "age rusted" in place (I know the rubber doesn't rust).

It seems to be running just fine, and temps are normal (at least now). May try to just cut the bottom one as I will certainly be replacing it, and check the tops. Thanks for letting me know that I don't need to remove the risers as that was going to add to the frustration (and my next route).

[pgiconch]

Thank you for the quick response. I suspect it is an age related problem, and they may be originals (now 19 years old). That would lend to issues, especially since the boat sat for a good while as the PO was an elderly gentleman that couldn't get out on it for the past few years. Had low hours/mileage, and he only drove it around the bay. Never used the carpeting, stove, microwave, refer, A/C or any of that. They are all like brand new.

[builderdude]

After all the clamps are all off use a screw driver to work the lower rubber coupler down completely onto the Y pipe (a little soap solution can make this task easier) now rotate the intermediate elbow to remove it from the primary exhaust elbow.

Good time to check the exhaust shutters and manifold elbow joint/water jackets etc. if in fact those parts are 19 years old.

[Garchar]

Dave is correct as that is how I did my old boat with the same problem. Garchar

[pgiconch]

Great info - thanks. I cut the bottom ones and then removed elbows and top hoses without a problem. The elbows were full of years of caked up corrosion. I have cleaned them up back down to bare metal to ensure there were no holes in them. Good metal, so I primed (zinch chromate) and repainted them with high temp black. Look like new. Cleaned up the Y-pipes as well and pulled the baffles for inspection. All is clean and in good shape now ready for reassembly when the new upper and lower hoses arrive. Next question for you -- while soap is ok, would it be ok to use a white lithium or silicone grease on the hoses and elbows/pipes to make things slide back together again? Or should I stick with soap only? TIA ....

[Ruffryder]

Soup should be good enough.

Exhaust shutters intact?... great time to replace to those upgraded shutters.

[pgiconch]

The shutters appear to be in very good shape. I believe they are the newer type (butterfly style) unless there is something even newer. They were sealing the tubes well before I removed them for inspection. I'll stick with the soap then. Thanks for response.

[pgiconch]

Final update. Replaced all 4 hoses, and two new shutter kits. The soap solution worked quite well for the reinstall. No more leaks. First sea trial today and all went very well. Runs at 40psi oil, 170(ish) temp, and 14v charging. Fuel guage was also accurate.