If all is right life of the qsm 11 manifold

[Gregory]

Hi all.  Happy new year.  I have read everything on here pertaining to the qsm11 exhaust leak,  Tony maybe you can help. Looking at purchasing a 61 Nordlund 1985 this weekend ( so quick response needed)  I know ist made on the west  coast but rare here on the east coast .  I Know 61  tolly craft is the  Nordlund 61 hull . 

fyi my current boat ( due to Tony’s website ) has 6 cta with  over 5k hrs and going strong. 

qsm 11 2007 vintage 2k hrs.

from broker for both engines. 

<u>RPM         Speed (kts)         GPH         </u>

630                7.7                   3 

800                 9                     4

1000              11                    6

1200              12                   11

1600              14                   24

1800              16.2                40

      

20 gph at 1800  need to gain 300 rpm.  I plotted on a graph

1. yes of course its over propped. 
2. when i mentioned about the exhaust issue they said they just had one done.
3. Same engine new injectors due to very high fuel consumption ( they said it  leveled out)
4. racor filters ( unknow micron)
5. unknown size of props 4 blade  ( dirty so -2 plus clean props should do it)
6. my math to hit rpm/burn -2″ in props 

Ok in a nut shell when fixed as per Tony’s recommendations

1. what is the REAL  life of the exhaust manifold? If set up right don’t want to retire into a mechanic. 
2. what is the REAL turbo life if set up right?
3. Seems to be too much engine for a trawler ( i think a full displacement)  Tony do you know?
4. coolers were done in 19 and due again ( i know the routine)
5. planning on long range cruising  into retirement ( Bahamas, great loop) . I  want to be able to overcome currents run and  from storms. worth it or wait for the next repower? 
6. is this engine worth the labor  to maintain?
7. What would be the best engine to look for this type of application?  In a repowered boat 
8. attching brokerage photos. 

Any thoughts 

Thanks in advance 

Greg Kay 

 

Topic

[Steve Lewis]

I did some poking around……

Is this boat named “Quiet Storm”? If so……….

Looking at the pics the turbo has what I would consider reasonable heat discoloration for 2K hours.  I can not quite tell, but the usual spots for noticing soot from the exhaust manifold look relatively clean.  The “Run your finger on the metal” test will really speak volumes.  If your finger is clean(no soot) then odds are your manifolds are not leaking yet.  I would compare the one that has not been replaced to the one that has for added context.

Reducing pitch will be key to the long term health of the manifolds and turbos.  Be aware you are probably looking at more than 2 inches.  Prop slip needs to be taken into account.  without prop dimensions and trans ratios we can’t make that judgement right now.

Larry Backman gave some sage advice a while back.  When you have the Aftercoolers and Heat Exchangers serviced off engine, you are now staring directly at the exhaust manifold.  So when you have the AC/HX serviced it is a small uptick in labor to have the Exhaust Manifold evaluated because the big stuff is already out of the way.  Take full advantage of that situation.  Also the Exhaust Manifold has come down in price.  Gotta find one though.  Parts are fun right now……

If you are happy with the rest of the boat then just build in a little wiggle room in an offer so that you can get things setup for the long term.  If you are going to run mostly at hull speed or less(with the requisite run up to mid/high cruise power to get things at full operating temps) then I would do the following in this order.

Get the props tuned so that you are happy with mid/high cruise fuel burn.  THEN service your AC/HX off engines which gives your mechanic easy access to the manifolds.  Have those seriously evaluated and replace things as indicated by the evaluation.

Recommended Options – Add a fresh water flush system to keep things happy from an anti-corrosion perspective.  You might also consider the Double Double fuel filter rig to replace the Racors.  Wolverine pan heaters of course……

As for having over sized engines……….  You can never have too much power when you are fighting a swift current or, as you said, trying to out run weather.  The base engine is a beast and will probably outlast you.  If you set things up properly and keep a close eye on things when you service AC/HX then relax, go cruising and drop us a note every now and then about enjoying the Exumas……. 

1 user thanked author for this post.

Rob Schepis

[Author]

Replies