| Author |
Message |
    
Michael Sokolson
New member
Username: las_ranas
Post Number: 1
Registered: 02-2012
| | Posted on Monday, February 20, 2012 - 08:10 pm: | 
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I was hoping someone could help troubleshoot a problem I am having with my Islander 30' Palmer P60. I have been living aboard her for six months and she runs and sails great. I have been teaching myself how to sail, and have come a long way. I guess now it is time for me to start fixing things. Motoring out to Point Loma yesterday she ran over some kelp. Almost instantly I noticed her slow. When I took a look behind us to see if we snagged some kelp I noticed the exhaust to be pushing more white smoke/steam than usual. Kinda like a cold start. I shut her down and jumped in. The prop was well wrapped and so I cleared it and sailed until I felt confident that I was clear of all kelp and fired her up. She turned over well and cruised along at her usual 5.5kts. I never let the throttle get past the gear shift. Problem was, there was still white smoke/steam coming out the exhaust. Probably about 2 or 3 times more than usual. I conserved the engine and sailed for as much as I reasonably could. I figured that the intake got clogged with kelp and so when I got to the dock I flushed the system and cleaned the filter. I pulled a seaweed salad out of the filter. It was mostly green and gooey which led me to believe it was fresh. Having spent the afternoon surfing through that stuff I feel confident with the assessment that it had not been in that filter long. After flushing and putting her back together the smoke/steam continues. I feel no drop in performance since the smoke began, and probably motored for about 15 minutes, some at full throttle and some just to dock. She sounds and performs exactly the same. I have not run her much since the flush, but I have noticed that the smoke seems to get thicker as she heats up. That is to say from a cold(er) start at low idle and idle there is minimal smoke, but once I rev her up and bring her back down the smoke persists. I have not let the engine stay on for more than 10 minutes total since the flush. My thermostat is and has been nonfunctional since I bought her, needle rests at 100. This morning I flushed her again and removed the tubing directly after the filter. It was slightly scaled but clear of debris. I will reiterate that this smoke does not smell like rubber, or oil, or gas. Essentially it seems to be the same amount of exhaust, the same smell of the exhaust, it just is more visible now due to the white. Hoping to pick your collective brain. Any advice would be helpful. I will be checking the Air/Steam vent line next. |
Eddie Ross
Senior Member
Username: eddie
Post Number: 282
Registered: 04-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 09:21 am: |
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A blown head gasket comes to mind. Check the level of the oil. If it is growing that also would indicate a blown head gasket.
Ideally you should be using a themostat that runs no higher than 145 degrees |
Michael Sokolson
New member
Username: las_ranas
Post Number: 2
Registered: 02-2012
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 11:18 am: |
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Would a blown head gasket limit the performance of the engine? |
Michael Sokolson
New member
Username: las_ranas
Post Number: 3
Registered: 02-2012
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 12:29 pm: |
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Also would you know the cost associated with the labor on such a repair? I found the part online, assuming that it is problem. Yes it is the copper not stainless gasket. How intensive is this repair on a P60, can I do it? |
Michael Sokolson
Member
Username: las_ranas
Post Number: 4
Registered: 02-2012
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 01:15 pm: |
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Could this problem be in my impeller? |
Eddie Ross
Senior Member
Username: eddie
Post Number: 283
Registered: 04-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 - 05:28 pm: |
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The impeller would not have anything to do with the steam. You had better get a mechanic to verify if you have a blown head gasket. If so you will need a copper head gasket. The biggest problem with pulling the head would be snapping off the head bolts due to age and corrosion freezing the bolt threads into the bolt holes. |
Michael Sokolson
Member
Username: las_ranas
Post Number: 5
Registered: 02-2012
| | Posted on Thursday, February 23, 2012 - 11:32 am: |
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Thanks guys! Turns out the fatalistic prophesies were a bit premature and I couldnt be happier. I decided to check the impeller anyway and to flush the system again. When I pulled the filter I noticed fresh kelp in the screen. This was confusing as I had not left the dock. I pulled the trap and found that the throughull was well clogged. It would let water pass albeit slowly. I ran the straitened handle of a 5 gallon bucked through he throughull and affixed a hose to it and blasted her clear. Engine is running great! Thanks for all the replies! |
