Post Hurricane Irma issues

[Mike Pettee]

Hi all. Boat survived Irma with some dock rash, somehow. House is a different story.

First trip today, and first time shes moved and ran in about 3 months. Dodged downed trees, fences and trailers in the canal but made it out.

Sluggish getting on plane, but ran out fine otherwise. Accredited this sluggishness to sitting three months and needing filter changes. Coming back however the starboard motor started smoking. Dark smoke, and would not top 2900 rpm. Normal wot is 3150. In neutral, no smoke at all.

I read the low power/dark smoke article, but could not understand how that applies to only having smoke under load. Because ita only when under load, it leaves me to believe its an external to the engine issue?

Topic

[Mike Pettee]

And winner. With a new clamp on that hose, no smoke.

Thanks all for your help!

[Mike Pettee]

Engine room ventilation all clear?

Yes. No blockage on the vents.

How safe is your exhaust? Ever pulled the elbows/risers and inspected the turbos?

I have not from the exhaust side, only air side. They appear in good shape.

How many hours on the turbos?

322 hrs.

Do you have a boost gauge?

Yes. Boost on both has not changed.

How is the air cleaner – clean and in good physical condition?

Could be cleaner, but physically in good shape.

Have you checked the air hoses going to the turbo for any signs of damage, cracking, loose clamps, etc?

We may have a winner. Hoses appear fine, but i found a busted clamp and the hose loose on the top air side of the aftercooler. Replaced it and time dependant will run tomorrow and update.

[Rob Schepis]

If you are seeing any black smoke it is not a fuel supply issue, it’s either loading (too much prop, damaged prop, dirty bottom & running gear, etc) or an air supply issue.

Seems as if you’ve already addressed the loading items.

Engine room ventilation all clear?

How safe is your exhaust? Ever pulled the elbows/risers and inspected the turbos?

How many hours on the turbos?

Do you have a boost gauge?

How is the air cleaner – clean and in good physical condition?

Have you checked the air hoses going to the turbo for any signs of damage, cracking, loose clamps, etc?

[Mike Pettee]

Filters were new in March. Not sure how else to verify its flowing smooth, or what is needed to ensure its right. Aftercoolerz are 18 months old, and freshwater flushed each use. If there is obstruction, it must be from filter to cooler, or cooler in.

Assuming the next run still smokes a bit, what would next step be?

Started per Tonys instructions of cleaning bottom and gear, and want to do a couple runs before moving into the engine.

[Rob Schepis]

Aftercooler air side maintenance up to snuff?

[Mike Pettee]

It is new.

[Rob Schepis]

Is this new?……. Is what you are seeing not always been there?

[Mike Pettee]

Tony,

The remaining minor moke, if it does not go away after a few more runs, but does not increaae, is it something to be concerned with?

[Tony Athens]

Moral of the story = a clean bottom & running gear..

Just polishing a pair of props can add 25-50+ RPM on a planing boat..

Tony

[Mike Pettee]

Follow up number 1.

Had a diver dive the hull. Cleaned it up good and cleaned all running gear.

After first run, Significantly less smoke. Almost not noticeable unless looking for it, but slight black smoke. Not enough to billow, almost seems so slight it stays in exhaust water, if that makes sense. I attached a video.

Performance back to normal. Both engines spun to 3100+. Will post additional after next run.

[Mike Pettee]

wind direction. Wave action. Not paying attention making sure i was avoiding debris, looking at damage etc. Coukd easily have been smoking.

Either way, i have a diver doing hull and running gear next week. Will start there and hope it solves the issue.

[Rob Schepis]

Mike Pettee wrote:

…..Specifically only on the return trip?

Could the “one way” smoke issuie be contributed to the wind direction? – maybe it was there both ways but only made visible in the one direction? Just a thought…..

[Mike Pettee]

Thanks Tony. I will have someone dive and get her cleaned up. Will follow up after.

[Tony Athens]

Start with getting your bottom and running gear “BABY BUTT SMOOTH & CLEAN”.. The , we’ll go from there AFTER a trip or two..

With the bottom condition doing what it is doing to your engines and vessel performance, YOUR ENGINES are now in a very over loaded condition–That equals BLACK SMOKE

Tony

[Mike Pettee]

Was slower in that rpm range yes, maybe 1.5kt slower. I figured it was dirty, but did not think that would cause the dark smoke low rpm issue. Specifically only on the return trip?

[Tony Athens]

How about 3+ months of bottom growth? That would certainly be external to an engine issue and would explain all.

Did you happen to notice if the vessel was slower at say, 2400-2600 RPM than it was before IRMA? If so, then that would also explain something external to the engine.

Tony

[Author]

Replies