Water Heater 2 weeks ago, turbocharger yesterday

[GZigmont]

The last few weeks with our 2019 R29CB:
Gasket around element on water heater bulged out and water heater started spewing water two weeks ago. Drained system, ordered gasket and replaced. I contacted Isotherm Webasto and they did send a new gasket under warranty, but it took two weeks. The gasket I bought for $25 arrived in two days.

Yesterday leaving on a cruise, the turbocharger let go off of New Haven Harbor in Long Island Sound. Was able to limp boat back in to Branford CT at less then 1500 rpm. Lucky we were close to home port. Anything above that rpm, there was a very loud whine and then you could hear loose parts in the turbo. Authorized Volvo Penta outfit has been contacted and is researching the availability of parts. My dealer mentioned to me that two of his customers have recently had the turbos go in their D4s; just the turbo was replaced on one, but the entire engine was replaced on the other. Glad I got the extended warranty.

Other than that, the boat is running great. :lol: Hopefully I'll have at least some season left when the boat is back in service. If anyone needs coaching on replacing the water heater gasket, please reach out. It's a little tricky getting lit lined up properly, because of the orientation of the water heater.

 

[SJI Sailor]

It is always something 🙂

BTW, I'm guessing you did this but just in case: make sure to uncover the issue behind the water heater gasket failure. That happened to us because the overflow pressure release was capped (dealer tech mistake) and would have recurred had I not found it after replacing the gasket. (I would be interested to know what happened in your case!)

 

[GZigmont]

My water heater gasket failure appeared to be due to a misaligned install of the element assembly. The assembly also may not have been tightened as much as it should have been, thus creeping a little bit over time due to gravity and causing the misalignment.

 

[SJI Sailor]

Thanks for sharing that! (That would be an easy issue to occur -- certainly on our C30 it was difficult to hold everything in the proper place when I replaced the gasket; it needed 3 hands in an at-best 2 hand space).

 

[H28]

My gasket failed after two years. i didn't do a post mortem, but basically if I can replace it (I did) then anyone can.

Dave

PS: of course, tracking the leak took forever as that was the last thing I checked.....