2004 SX exhaust problem

[170freedom]

I have a 2004 fourwinns 170LE. It has the 3.0 volvo/penta with a sx outdrive- I started the boat on the trailer today, I noticed that the exhaust/water was exiting thru the bottom of the outdrive at the bottom of the transom???? I was under the impression that the exhaust went thru the bellow and out thru/by the prop?? So, I can only assume something is array. I was out of town for most of last summer, my friends used the boat, I live in FL, and we have the boat in a lift house. HOWEVER- while I am away, my friends that use the boat tend to leave it in the saltwater weeks at a time. In the Gulf of Mexico barnies grow really fast down here!!!! Is it possible that the outdrive is clogged with barnicles/crustations?? I have looked in the prop hub area- and its packed full. Any ideas?? thanks in advance- *** I just went out and started it again- the exhaust bellow is solid- no leaks, so, I can only assume she's clogged up, and this is a auxillary exhaust port in the bottom of the drive by the transom??? thanks again.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

so, I can only assume she's clogged up, and this is a auxillary exhaust port in the bottom of the drive by the transom???

Ayuh,... Exactly....

 

[Don S]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

There are 2 idle relief ports near the bottom of the transom shield. They are about 1" in diameter. What you are seeing is normal.

 

[170freedom]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

Based on what you said regarding the idle relief ports, should I be seeing anything (water/exhaust) exiting thru the prop housing at idle out of the water? Also, if infact the exhaust is supposed to primarly exit the prop hub area, any ideas/suggestions on how to go about cleaning out the passages??

 

[Don S]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

Sure, some water can exit the prop too, but depending on how much water you get from your hose and the angle of the boat and if your drive is all the way down or not, you might not get any. if you have plenty of water flow out the idle relief ports when on muffs, and the engine doesn't overheat, you are fine.

 

[170freedom]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

Thanks Don, On my boat I have a fresh water flush from the factory. I use it to flush the engine after salt use and to start it on the trailer when I am doing maint. I just started it up again, had my wife run the rpm up a bit 3x's, and I have not one ioda of exhaust coming out by the prop hub. It is most definetly clogged. I would assume that I can remove the prop and use some compressed air with my 16" air wand to blow out the growth. I am a machinist, and I use these style wands to blow out thread/ports/passages,etc. I have had success using this tool to blow growth out of the water pick up area in the foot last summer. I really cant think of any other tool that would get in the passages???? thanks again for the info. I would guess that if I ran it clogged it would create back pressure in the engine, and/or blow out the exhaust bellow.

 

[TFHTECH]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

the water out the ports is normal but you say the prop is plugged up if you can remove the prop get a long screw driver and dig away you can lift the drive up and fill the exhaust port with muratic acid and let it sit for 10 min or so and flush it out this may make custation removal easyr but bearfull with the acid read all precaustions first

 

[Don S]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

If water is coming out of the exhaust relief ports in the transome shield. I would not recommend poking around with a wand and compressed air to clear things (If they are actually plugged up).
If you think something is plugged up, pull the drive and look around. The drive should be pulled yearly for maintenance and inspection even without a problem.

 

[TFHTECH]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

i think he said the water was coming out the port and the prop was plugged up maybe im wrong as i often am

 

[170freedom]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

Thanks again Don S. I am gonna do just that tomorrow. Morral of this whole situation- "Dont let friends use your boat, they didnt pay for it, so they wont take care of it"- haha. Any suggestion on making sure that the fressh water pick up in the foot is clear? I never use muffs, I always hook up to the flush hose. I dont know if I can get up in there to see if they are clogged to. And I would hate to find out after its in the water and over heating!! FYI- In these particular boats, the temp sending unit is located in a VERY poor location. Where it is situated, you do not get an accurate temp reading. The temp sending unit is located in the T-stat housing on the cool side. ( I believe some other GM applications in other boats have the same problem). You can look at your gauge and think your running cool, however, the block is cooking right in front of you. I have rebuilt 8 of these 3.0's down here in my shop in the past 4 yrs due to that problem. 6 out of the 8 had cracked heads. I have also replaced alot of sheared crank to flywheel studs in these 3.0's. I believe volvo had a TSB on them at one point- faulty flywheel studs. thanks again for the help.

anyways- thanks for the help-

 

[170freedom]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

Honestly- I am not to hip on the whole muratic acid down the hub idea. It might work just fine, I would hate to find out otherwise. To clearify- yes the idle ports in the bottom of the transom shield are clean and clear. The port around the hub is packed solid. I can access the retainer and nut to remove the prop, but I feel that I wont gain anything by removing the whole out drive. I had it off two yrs ago for maint. and everything was fine. I dont think I would be able to access the hub housing from the mid point if I seperate the lower foot. I may be wrong, so dont jump on me, just going by what I see in front of me. I think the best access is removing the prop and cleaning back thru the housing?? Like I said, I may be way off. I am a machinist, not a barnicle remover haha.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2004 SX exhaust problem

Honestly- I am not to hip on the whole muratic acid down the hub idea.

That's a good thing, because pouring muratic acid into the system like that is dangerous and has nothing to do with fixing the problem.