57. KEYS V

BOAT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE:

As previously posted, the oil and oil filters have been changed. Nervous about it as a DIY job but it went well. The diesel antifreeze/coolant has now been drained and disposed of. Awaiting delivery of fresh from Cummins. Internet shopping is so nice. The aftercoolers have been taken off and the cores removed.

No leaks are allowed. The water and hot air must never mix as water introduced into the turbo can be catastrophic. So the parts are soaked in a lot of brake cleaner followed by soapy water and thorough rinsing. The aluminum casting is air pressure tested to be sure it has no leaks of any sort.

The cores of both aftercoolers were pristine as was the starboard alum casting. It was installed new last Feb as part of the boat survey/purchase. The port casting is showing corrosion and pitting with the pitting at the opening being of concern. Can it be ground smooth enough while retaining tolerances to reinsert the core and holding under a pressure test? It is undergoing that shop analysis now.🤞

Also removed from the engines this afternoon were the heat exchangers. They are sent out for cleaning etc much like the aftercoolers. Have not heard a report on those yet.

So all that sea water going in and out of the boat travels through rubber hoses and those also can get fouled. In addition, the rubber tends to get old, get brittle and or deteriorate. Clamps are subjected to the hot and humid engine room conditions as well. While ALL hoses are dual clamped for safety, a failed hose or broken clamp many miles from land is not good. Some clamps are showing wear and there is black speck evidence on the white engine and floor of some hose deterioration. So new pre formed hoses and marine grade stainless steel clamps were ordered and have arrived. Did I say internet shopping is great?

Also have checked all the belts and replaced those needing replacement, the O rings on the sea strainers and moved one of the bilge pumps to better drain an area of the bilge. Stagnant water is not healthy but also increases steam and humidity in the engine room creating rust. Also coming yet via internet order is matching white Cummins engine paint for touch up. I will have to get someone to adjust the new dripless shaft seal that was installed in May. There is a bit of dripping and the adjustment is in millimeters. I also will need to get a Cummins mechanic to do a valve lash adjustment on the engines (adjusting the clearance usually within a 100th or thousandth of an inch between the rocker arm and valve stem. I’m not an expert on that but I do know what happens if not done

gg