C-26 Overheating

[bawerner]

My 26 overheats at higher speeds. I’ve read that the thru-hull is too small to supply the necessary cooling water. Is the sea strainer also insufficient or is it capable enough? Should I

• Just replace the thru-hull with a 1.5 and route it to the existing strainer. OR
• Replace the thru hull for the generator with a 1.5 and a new 40gph sea strainer giving it a short, straight shot into the engine.

The generator is dead, needs a new core, and I’m considering replacing it with a 3kw inverter and batteries. Even if I am able to get the generator fixed I could still use option b and run the cooling water for the generator from the original 3 port strainer on the other side of the boat. What are your thoughts on the best thing to do. I really want this overheating issue permanently fixed.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Are you sure your heat exchanger isn’t plugged up?

 

[bawerner]

Are you sure your heat exchanger isn’t plugged up?

I let it sit overnight with barnacle buster in it, then flushed it out, but the discharge was quite clean. I'm going to have the pump impeller changed soon, but from what I've read this is a common problem on the 26.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Is the problem being that with the generator on as well as the engine the engine overheats? And the engine doesn’t overheat if the generator is off?

I’ve heard of poor ventilation in the engine bay on the cutwaters but not this issue and not when the boats were new?
Which seems to suggest something else is going on as it has changed over time?

 

[scross]

Are you changing the impeller annually? Is the engine coolant level filled to the top mark? I know these are obvious but they are the most common causes of overheating at higher RPMs.

 

[bawerner]

Is the problem being that with the generator on as well as the engine the engine overheats? And the engine doesn’t overheat if the generator is off?

I’ve heard of poor ventilation in the engine bay on the cutwaters but not this issue and not when the boats were new?
Which seems to suggest something else is going on as it has changed over time?

No, The generator hasn't worked for quite some time. If everything was perfect it would probably run ok...for a while - if it had a perfectly clean bottom, new impeller, cooler water in the chesapeake, etc. Every C-26 has this issue. The engine needs 40gph at full throttle and the 1" thru hull can't provide it. At any rate, it is going to the Volvo mechanic next week hopefully. Poor ventilation is also a factor. It's a relatively small engine compartment with nowhere for the excess heat to go.

 

[bawerner]

Are you changing the impeller annually? Is the engine coolant level filled to the top mark? I know these are obvious but they are the most common causes of overheating at higher RPMs.

It's been 2 years for the impeller, but the coolant is full. Impeller will be done soon.