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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
 Posted - 18 February 2007 : 4:24:36 PM
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This Sunday afternoon there was racing at the MYC for their small yacht regatta, and they are very keen to get us race with them. However it was a series of those nasty short races and with Rod away and a lot work at home I declined the offer. This afternoon I got down aboard the Hagar and with some new degreaser cleaned out the bilge, the motor as well as spounging out and emptying the bilge by hand. Then re-greased the stern gland. Checked the oil and topped up the coolant.
The engine started first go without a complaint and ran untill I turned her off and went back to the Club.
It would appear that the bleeding of the injector on Friday afternoon has hopefully resolved out motor hastles.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 26 February 2007 : 3:02:18 PM
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The Hagars' work-in-progress continues and Rod has dictated next weeks priorities after going down to the boat yesterday, escaping the clutches of his SWMBO'd. He cleaned out the grease and water leaking from the stern gland. He also tightened up the forestay two and a half turns and the starboard D2 shroud which has been loose when on the port tack. During last Friday nights twilight race we were pointing higher and going quicker than our near competitors but were loosing out on the starboard tack. So, hopefully the shroud adjustment will rectify this problem.
The next jobs for me is the fitting and replacement of the port side timber covering of the new SS shroud chain plate which goes over the cabin ceiling liner.
I also have to open and check the main hand bilge pump which is acting-up and most likely needs a new diaphragm.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 05 March 2007 : 8:50:03 PM
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After all the work recently conducted upon the Hagars' electics as well as the new fuel lines, on the weekend we discovered that the salt water intake which runs underneath the engine from aft and comes up into the water pump, has a steady leak. The pipe is badly decomposed and the outer surface is splitting. You can barely see any of this and can detect by feel. And of course your hands get covered in black goo off the pipe.
So tomorrow its' a trip to the engineers shop for some new piping.
It is with some trepidation that I notice that this is my 999th posting. I will leave it until tomorrow morning to see what happens to the web site when I have a go at number 1,000.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 07 March 2007 : 2:47:27 PM
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Well here goes the web-site. Yesterday I visited the Engineers shop at North Manly and purchased a few metres of reinforced pipe to replace the old rubber water intake pipe which was collapsing and leaking with old age. I also purchased clamps and a water strainer. The beauty of the pipe and strainer is that they are transparent and you can see and crap in the strainer and blockages in the pipe.
Rod has also booked in the Engineers to finish off the fuel line system and we have to clean out the fuel tank beforehand.
It never ends!
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 09 March 2007 : 10:20:12 PM
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On Thursday afternoon I popped down to North Harbour and visited the Hagar armed with a new length of metal re-inforced water pipe, clamps, etc. The pipe was quickly replaced and the old pipe was found to have a split of about 8 inches which was delaminated with the outer rubber layer having become unattached from the inner material core. The pipe was obviously leaking and would have been interfering with the cooling of the engine. It was also noted that where the pipe had been laying in the bilge the rubber was melting.
A close examination of rear tanks confirmed Rods report that the fuel tank is a long upright channel about twelve inches in width and it has a water tank either side of it. This means that the fuel tank can be cut into from above and the planned inspection port installed.
This will give us access to clean out the old fuel tank which we suspect is Stainless Steel.
We plan to do this on Wednesday of next week with the engineer.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 14 March 2007 : 10:41:49 PM
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Today saw Rod down aboard the Hagar early and bringing her into the marina. The Engineer was late and I was down about 11.30 from work.
The work commenced and a hole was cut over the fuel tank behind the companionway.
This revealed that the fuel tank is in fact constructed from fibre glass with the inside having one baffle two thirds the way back. The inner surface is smooth and obviously finished with a smooth gel coat. As already found it is a long upright tank which tapers at the base and is fairly upright.
The inside was found to be mixed with the areas which were uncontaminated with sludge being bright and clean, while there was a slimy brown/black sludge over most of the surfaces and especially in the base and corners which were heavily "slimed".
The operation proceeded with two large inspection holes bored and with SS inspection ports glued and bolted into place. The forward smaller hole had a fuel cap glued into place. This will act as a dip stick gauge point.
The fuel return pipe was replaced and the breather valves replaced.
Following the completion of the work Rod and I took to cleaning out of the inside of the tank with rags and large quantities of mentholated spirits.
After completing the cleanout we reconnected the fuel lines and I replaced the aft fuel filter and after some pain due to poor sealing and air in the fuel we got the engine going.
Our problem with the fuel was explained by Old Pete our sailing master some weeks ago. He said that, the Hagar, being over 30 years old and the fuel tank being original and not being cleaned out would be contaminated with bio-growth. That while we motored about or sailed on the harbour the contaminated fuel was OK, but when we went outside into the disturbed waters of the ocean it stirred up the tank and hence the contaminated fuel began to clog the fuel lines and filters.
Hopefully today’s work has rectified this problem.
Chris.
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Barubi
Main Sheet Hand
92 Posts |
Posted - 15 March 2007 : 3:44:42 PM
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| I don't know about E30 size tanks, but in ship's bunkers the bacteria grow in the layer between water in the bottom of the tank and the fuel. I think there are commercial additives to disperse the water through the fuel, thereby reducing the surface area available for growth and the accumulation of free water in the tank. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 15 March 2007 : 6:20:02 PM
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Hi Micheal,
There was some moisture in the tank and also in the first fuel filter glass bowl. Kevin Swadling who owns the E30, Splinter says that the best thing is to keep your tank full of fuel. This is to prevent condensation forming in the tank. He recently reported problems with his fuel.
However we will eventually get a bad water contaminated batch of fuel from a service station or marina.
We found that our tank is about 60 litres capacity. We will be cleaning out the fuel and water tanks in a few months when we slip the Hagar for its annual clean and mend.
Chris. |
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Splinter
Helmsman
Australia
500 Posts |
Posted - 18 March 2007 : 6:46:20 PM
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Hi all, I have solved the problem with fungus on "Splinter". Michael is correct, the contamination is between the fuel & water.
I got an electric pump and emptied the tank into seperate containers. It was remakable to see the dark coloured gunk that came out. I would think about 20 litre of crap. The rest of the fluid was clear.
I doused the tank heavily with additive then filled with fresh fuel.
Not a problem since. Even the filters are now clear.
Engine starts & runs fantastic.
I think what Chris & the boys have done is the best by cutting holes & putting bungs so that the tank can be cleaned every few years. I just did not want to go to that trouble and also having to seal the tank. I do not like diesel smell in the bidge.
cheers, |
"Splinter" |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 19 March 2007 : 7:23:01 PM
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Well Kev,
I don't think that the smell of diesel will be a major issue as the three holes were sealed with hatches which were glued & screwed in tight. The hatch/ports have their won synthentic seals.
Oh, and Rod has little sense of smell being a smoker, which the rest of us can attest is more of a hazard. Ask Sasha, he has had some experience with Rods' dreaded smelly pipe.
Chris. |
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Sasha
Helmsman
838 Posts |
Posted - 19 March 2007 : 7:30:32 PM
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I am willing to pay substantial bribes in order to never ever think about that incident again.
The one and only time in my life anything manages to make me sea-sick...and it wasn't even at the convenient end.
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The more I know about horses, the more I love sailboats.
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LCJOHNSTON
Helmsman
Australia
258 Posts |
Posted - 22 March 2007 : 08:57:40 AM
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| I have used Wynn's diesel conditioner in the fule of both boats I have had. Have not had any problems with fungus and is also supposed to keep engine components cleaner. Not a huge cost - best to get the bigger 1 litre containers - cost is $25-$30 from memory - addition rate is only small so it lasts ages. On the subject of condensation in fuel tanks, it does not seem to be an issue down here in the colder climate of Tassie, but when I picked up my new boat from Pittwater last year there was heaps of water in it. The value of the primary fuel CAV filter with the glass bowl in the bottom to collect the water cannot be underestimated - we had to empty it a few times, amounting to a couple of litres all up. |
Leigh Ex E30 MkII "Caroline" Hobart |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 22 March 2007 : 11:19:31 AM
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Hi Leigh,
When we cut the inspection hatches into the Hagars aft tanks we were surprised to find that there was a brown sticky slime on the sides of the tank and especially on the baffel surfaces.
Rod had pumped out most of the fuel and there was only a small amount in the bottom of the tank. There was also liquid sludge and apparently a layer of water.
In reviewing this with our Engineer he informed me that there are two beasts which live in diesel fuel tanks.
The first biology grows in a layer between the fuel and the water which, being heavier than diesel is in the bottom of the tank.
The second biology grows on the surfaces of the tank.
We also found that the brass fittings coming out of the tank were internally coated with a greasy thick brown goo.
After cleaning out the tank we pumped fuel through the lines, bleeding the two fuel filters and started the engine. It was then that I noticed that the first fuel filter had a layer of water and sludge in the glass bowl.
We also discovered that there is a technique to putting this filter back together without leaving the seals open.
There is a lot to argue fore and against the way we did the job and manually cleaning out the tank, however we should not have to do it to often hereafter. Oh, and we will still use the fuel conditioner.
Chris |
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LCJOHNSTON
Helmsman
Australia
258 Posts |
Posted - 23 March 2007 : 4:45:14 PM
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Chris,
I think you did the right thing with the manual cleanout - probably the only way once it has built up. Maybe always using the conditioner will prevent it happening again. |
Leigh Ex E30 MkII "Caroline" Hobart |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 23 March 2007 : 5:08:29 PM
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Leigh,
Where did you have your fuel tank in the Caroline? and how is the new owner doing with her. Is he racing or cruising?
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 24 March 2007 : 9:31:10 PM
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After doing my electoral duty this morning, Pete and I motored the Hagar around to Middle Harbour YC and moored up to the marina adjacent to the other boat which the engineers were working upon. They got to and fixed the electronic gremlin in the starter alarm. It was a faulty sensor. He then tightened the accelerator cable and then installed the two new LED Navigation lights up forward. With that all complete we quickly retuned to our North Harbour mooring and just beat the southerly change and the first showers.
During our short interval at MHYC we sighted Rod in his Army fatigues as well as accompanied another E30 into North Harbour, the Walrus. This bat has been sold in the the past twelve months. She is yellow in hull colour with a broad green stripe and presents well. She went into Many Boat shed.
Chris. |
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LCJOHNSTON
Helmsman
Australia
258 Posts |
Posted - 26 March 2007 : 2:55:29 PM
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Chris,
The fuel tank in Caroline was a new marine grade aluminium one we had made - it was installed on the port side midships (under the seat/bunk). It went from the half bulkhead right up to the main bulkhead and carried 80 litres (plus 5 litres up the filler hose if you wanted). In the same location on the other side was a 90 litre water tank (one tank is not ideal I know, but it is all a compromise for space). |
Leigh Ex E30 MkII "Caroline" Hobart |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 29 March 2007 : 10:59:05 PM
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Well Leigh, we will not be going to pull out the fuel and water tanks which are located in the rear centre of the boat under the cockpit. John Anderson reports that that is what he has done with his E30 Mark 1, Systems Outage. He has installed a sail drive.
We are happy with the engine over the keel, which is good for the balance of the boat.
This weekend we'll be working on Sunday afternoon with cleaning up the bilge, yet again! I'll be measuring up for a new shelf under the stairs as well as installing a new fitting etc. Oh! and checking out the "Kaos" over at Manly.
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 05 April 2007 : 8:28:06 PM
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This weekend may see Rod & myself out aboard the Hagar. Depends upon the kids & SWMBODs' in our lives. Red tells me we will have to dive on her at some stage and give her bottom a scrub and especially the prop which is not performing. We are getting revs in neutral but not when the prop is enguaged. It is either growth on the prop which is distorting the prop shape or it is not opening up properly due to growth.
We are thinking about buying one of these mini dive compressors. Has anyone any experience with them?
Chris. |
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Chris Cope
Skipper
Australia
2350 Posts |
Posted - 06 April 2007 : 09:06:03 AM
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Last weekend when we re-filled the Hagars' fuel tank we measured in the fuel in increments of ten litres. As each ten litre tank went in Rod marked off our new dip stick. When the tank got to 50 litres we found it almost filled to the top of the dipper inspection cap hole. So we are now find that this original fuel tank takes a minimum of 50 litres and probable a tad more. We also added the fuel preservative to kill biologies.
We estimate that the 10 HP Volvo consumes about one litres per hour which would give us 50 steaming hours and at a top speed of 5 knots. And this could give us a maximum range of 250 miles.
Chris. |
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A New E30
