Engine Questions due to black soot and salt corrosion

[senorquill]

Gents,

I took the boat out yesterday and had to motor for about 2 hours.  Engine was fine, performance was good and temp stayed good the entire time.  When I got to anchorage I went in the head and noticed black soot on the engine side door compartment (Pic 1).  I opened it and notice all the black soot on the inside of the door (pic 1).  I opened the engine compartment up (Pic 2) and noticed all the soot on what I believe is the alternator (Pic 3).  What could cause this?  It has never happened before with over 100+ hours put on the engine.  I have zero engine mechanical experience, I can change oil, that's about it. 

Also, the raw water intake looks rough to me.  Just noticed that.  What do I do, just scrape all the salt off? Any damage done here?  (Pic 4)

Thanks,

Ryan

[senorquill]

Pic 1

[senorquill]

Pic 2

[senorquill]

Pic 3

[senorquill]

Pic 4

[senorquill]

Had to upload the photos like this, they wouldn't attach to the original post.

[mark_53]

Gents,

I took the boat out yesterday and had to motor for about 2 hours.  Engine was fine, performance was good and temp stayed good the entire time.  When I got to anchorage I went in the head and noticed black soot on the engine side door compartment (Pic 1).  I opened it and notice all the black soot on the inside of the door (pic 1).  I opened the engine compartment up (Pic 2) and noticed all the soot on what I believe is the alternator (Pic 3).  What could cause this? 

The alternator belt would cause the dust.  Get a new one.

Also, the raw water intake looks rough to me.  Just noticed that.  What do I do, just scrape all the salt off? Any damage done here?  (Pic 4)

Thanks,

Ryan

Yes, clean up all that corrosion with a small wire brush and repaint.

[senorquill]

How difficult is it to change that belt out?

[Stu Jackson]

How difficult is it to change that belt out?

i recently changed mine out without having to remove the alternator.

You should check to see if your pump is weeping through the weep holes or whether it's just that the faceplate gasket needs to be replaced.  This is because it appears that there is leakage down to the engine mount.

You should read the sticky CRITICAL UPGRADES and learn how to properly align your alternator belt.

The CRITICAL UPGRADES and 101 Topics also have suggestions and links to routing your oil breather to the air intake.

None of us was born a diesel mechanic.  We all learned.  I put off buying a bigger boat for 13 years because I could take my outboard engine off my Catalina 25!  Once I bought this boat, I spent a LOT of time reading and researching, and getting my hands dirty.  It doesn't happen overnight, but the years I spent trying to find information was in 1998-2000, just as the internet was getting started.  In the meantime, we've captured almost everything you need to know about your engine right here on this website.  Should save you a lot of time.

Good luck.

[Noah]

I throw in 2 cents: check exhaust riser, too. Source of soot and water

[Stu Jackson]

Noah's idea is good.  Also check the 17 foot exhaust hose from the muffler to the transom, that's where I found a lot of soot.  The hose looks good but it becomes porous after many years and does make a mess under the head sink and in the port locker.

[senorquill]

Is their an alternator belt model I can get at O Reilly's?

[Stu Jackson]

Go to NAPA and get the GATES.  But you have to know which one to buy.

[senorquill]

Okay, thanks.  Got some wire brushes and engine paint.  I'll have to deal with the belt next week.

[KWKloeber]

Ryan

How old is that belt?  It's toast - it's cracked and frayed and the laminated layers separating.  See pic.  It's a Top Cog model (Dayco) which is excellent for our engines with small-diameter pulleys.

When have you checked the tension last? (E-Z!) Too loose, belt slip and wear, too tight and you can burn out the alt and water pump bearings.

A Clarification - That's your raw water or sea water pump, not raw water intake (which is on the hull).

The engine mount (technically an isolator) might have been toasted from the leaking pump.  Can't tell - is that scaling paint on the oil pan (from the leak)?

The engine belt nos. are on the TechWiki - you should always be carrying a spare! Note there's some "controversy" as to the belt length for the upgraded bracket. Your adjuster arm looks to be bottomed out, or near there.  See pic.

It's BEST to take your old belt with you for sizing and get one slightly smaller than your stretched one cuz there's no adjustment remaining.  I get the Top Cog @ Advance Auto but there's likely other sources.

Also the the alt may be misaligned - better than average chance of that - see RC's article. Note about bolt sizes and shins and adjustment washers etc.
https://phase.com/mainecrusing/universal_alternator_bracket
(The article isn't on Rod's new website).

Looks like you have a slight oil pan leak as well? (Banjo?)

I'm not being judgmental, everyone has their own abilities and reasons, but that engine is calling out for help. It can become a real costly outcome if not loved and taken care of  -  boat engines need more love than auto engines.