| Author |
Message |
    
Gary Morris
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 08:17 pm: | 
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I have a Coronado 30 sailboat with a Palmer 60. The engine runs excellent. However, I experience occasionally overheating. I have replaced the head gasket and rebuilt the water pump (Sterling Brass) and replaced the thermostat. I have also closed off the by pass hose at the thermostat housing. There doesn't seem to be any reason for the problem that I can locate. A friend at the marina has an Islander 36 with a Palmer and experiencing the same type of problem. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Gary Morris |
Richard Day
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 07:11 am: |
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Check the head air bleed line isn't plugged. How much water volume do you get at the exhaust outlet? |
Gary Morris
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 11:51 am: |
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I am getting a good volume of water out of the exhaust. The volume increases with engine RPM. That is when I am at the dock. The exhaust is under the turn of the transom so it is almost impossible to see when I am under way.
I'll check the air bleed line. That is one thing that hasn't been checked.
Thanks,
Gary |
Richard Day
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 08:37 pm: |
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If that line is plugged the any air/steam build up will lower the water insided the head and even down the sides of the cylinder. A sudden rush of cold water can crack the head or cylinders. Most important it be kept free. |
Gary Morris
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 06:57 pm: |
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Thanks for the info. I will check the air bleed line for blockage this weekend and let you know the outcome. |
Gary Morris
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 - 12:55 pm: |
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I pulled the fittings for the air bleed line out of the head and exhaust manifold. They were about 50% clogged. I cleaned them up in some water and muriatic acid. Replaced the fittings and ran the engine with the bleed hose emptying into a container while plugging the opposite fitting (it will pump from either direction) until the water ran clear. That process got some additional rust and dirt particles out of the head and manifold that could have block the fittings when they were partially clogged. After everything was back together we motored the boat for a little over 5 nautical miles at 6 Ks. The engine ran great with the temp remaining constant the entire time.
Thanks for your technical help Richard! |
Tom VanOuse
| | Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 01:57 pm: |
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I am currently in the middle of this problem. As my engine heats up, water stops coming out the exhaust and just steam. It really is acting like the head gasket is blown and the exhaust is presurizing the water jacket... Just a theory.
Before I pull the head off and ruin a great starting and running motor assembly, Richard Day submitted;
"Check the head air bleed line isn't plugged."
Where is this head air bleed? |
Eddie
| | Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 03:20 pm: |
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Tom,
The bleed is a small brass pipe fitting tapped into the head near the front edge of the head. there should be a small hose (about 1/4" dia. 6" long ) from there to the thermostat housing. The fitting does not exist in the tractor version of the cylinder head in which case you would have to drill and tap a 1/8" pipe thread hole for the fitting to convert it to a marine version.
Eddie
" |
Richard Day
| | Posted on Sunday, June 20, 2004 - 10:48 pm: |
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I believe that all M-60 AKA P-60 engines made by Palmer have the air bleed line installed. It either goes from the forward portion of the cylinder head to the thermostat body in the recirculating line or to the forward top of he exhaust manifold. You cannot fail to see it as it is about six inches long and right on top of the forward end of the cylinder head. If some genius has removed and plugged its holes you must make up a new one and install it prior to operating the engine. As Eddie says it is about 1/4" in dia. Typically on early engines 5/16" copper tubing and later engines rubber hose with about 5/16" internal dia. Either works fine. It seems to be overlooked on the annual check up of the cooling system. It must be kept clear if air/steam build up in the cylinder head is to be promptly removed. This is true whether sea water cooled or fresh water cooled. |
Tom VanOuse
| | Posted on Monday, June 21, 2004 - 01:07 pm: |
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Thanks. I took off that hose and plugged the side going into the head. I put a new long hose on the exhaust manifold side and started it up. There was exhaust going out the long tube.
!! Blown Head Gasket !!
I took the head off and number 4 cyl has a carbon path to the water jacket.
Does anyone know where to buy a copper or composit head gasket for this Palmer P60 ? |
