R25 Sea Strainer Water Level

[Trinity]

Hi All

Approx. four year old R25 with Yanmar 110.
My Sea Strainer has a brass bowl with a plastic dome shaped cover.
Plastic cover developed a small crack. I replaced it with a new plastic cover.
Ran the engine, raw water flows through the system, no leaks.

The question: The raw water used to come to the top of the Sea Strainer, up to the plastic cover, leaving only a small air bubble at the top of the plastic dome. Now, the raw water is only coming up to the top of the brass bowl, i.e., just touching the plastic dome. Is this OK, or did I miss a step along the way.

Thanks,

Kerry and Nancy on Trinity

 

[Ainokea]

Try running at WOT for a short period as this should burp it. If not , make sure the toilet valve is in the locked close position. (all the way down as this can suck air through the head in a back flow if not in the closed position) have had this issue before and it stymied the mechanics.

Hope this helps

Frank

Ainokea

 

[Trinity]

Hey Frank

I'll give it a shot.

Thanks!

--Kerry

 

[commander bill]

I have noticed that when you open & clean the bowl it continues to hold a large volume of air after the lid is tightened. That air appears to remain trapped in the bowl until sweap away by higher seawater flow. If you operate at low speeds only the bowl will not experience enough flow to sweep away that air. As mentioned above running WOT would be one way to remove the air. If you are one of those compulsive nuts like me you can also try this. After cleaning bowl just open the hull valve (at the dock) before completely tightening the lid just long enough to vent any air & fill the bowl. After water fills the bowl and starts leaking by the lid then tighten the lid enough to stop the leakage & close the hull valve. I think this also may help prevent the tendency to overtighten the lid since you get a better feel for how much torgue is needed to prevent leakage. Then it will remain nice and full and you can see flow more easily when you make your routine engine compartment checks.

 

[Trinity]

Thanks Bill.

I gave it a shot and that got most of the air out. I suppose this works best if your bowl is below sea level??? I'm hoping to get out this weekend to run WOT and get the rest of the air out.

I'm in good shape, thanks again,

Kerry

 

[commander bill]

One of the reasons I like to do it this way is several owners have complained about cracked plastic covers. Mine was cracked & leaked when boat was delivered. Ranger provided a free replacement. I suspect that the covers may be easily overtorqued in an effort to make sure it is tight enough. By hand tightening only enough to prevent leakage while venting air it applys just enough torque without overtorquing. Of course a replacement lid would be a good idea for any extended cruise.

 

[Trinity]

Good piece of practical wisdom. Thanks again, Bill. --Kerry

 

[PhilR]

I have carried an extra from day one. I figured sooner or later I'd overtighten it.

 

[sparky]

That plastic strainer lid is pretty easy to crack. Dear husband broke ours in the first few months. I replaced that and added a spare to the storage locker.... :roll: