Lou C
Supreme Mariner
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2002
- Messages
- 14,173
I started using an endoscope camera to check them without taking it all apart, takes like 10 min. The Volvo style exhaust (what I have on my OMC Cobra) has a plug on the top of the exhaust elbow (probably for a temp sensor that's optional) and if you remove that the camera fits right down into the elbow, you can see the insides to check for leaks.
the OMC/Volvo style exhaust will run pretty cool and the port side runs cooler so you may seen little pits from condensation but that's not actually a leak.
starboard side:
port side:
I do this at the end of each season....
I'd think there is a similar plug on the Merc manifolds you could use.
They also used a "warm manifold" system the whole idea was to eliminate the condensation by keeping it hotter than the cold style used by OMC and Volvo. I think the manifolds don't get cooling water till the 'stat opens up with that system. And the water running thru them has exited the engine so it's hotter to start with than with the cold system. May be better as long as you don't get a stuck 'stat!