Engine repairs
Scot Free III
Frank & Anne
Wed 16 Aug 2023 13:06
Expecting the new heat exchanger today so a very early start to clear both aft cabins to make access to the engine straightforward.
Zak had very kindly given the heat exchanger a coat of Volvo green paint- it came unfinished, despite the huge price tag. Now matches, but more importantly is protected from effects of salt water. The effects of internal corrosion on the old unit were very obvious when you saw how much more metal there was on the new one.
They arrived at 9:30am and left just before 7pm. Did a very thorough job, installing new heat exchanger, mixing exhaust elbow and new alternator, replacing various hoses at the same time. Engine had to be run with ionised water and flushed out a couple of times before coolant finally added.
It was a long and thorough process but didn’t end when they left. Bilges full of rusty coolant water and now need to be cleaned out.
A spent the duration in the cockpit, being entertained by the banter, finishing her book and starting another. Also entertained by the white tailed deer grazing their way through the gardens of second homes, only used on sunny weekends -they didn’t seem to mind the rain. The possible thunderstorms didn’t materialise today, thank goodness.
F keen to point out that one of our successes at the start of the season had been the repair of the ship’s clock. So pleased at the time to have saved ourselves a few pounds. Little did we know what was coming down the line!
Now for some sea trials.