Quick way to clean engine intake

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crieders

The Chesapeake is a messy place. Often I have to remove the engine intake line, unscrew the filter and run a flexible metal wire down and out the boat...then put it all together. I was thinking about putting a Y piece below the filter so that I could access the intake for cleaning without having to remove the filter piece....
Anyone try that?
Cliff Rieders, c34 tall rig, 1990, hull #1022

scgunner

Cliff,

By filter I assume you're talking about the strainer (clear plastic w/ S/S screen) above the seacock. You're basically talking about a plumber's clean out. I don't really see any advantage to this setup, rather than just unscrewing the strainer by hand you'll need a wrench to unscrew the threaded cap on the clean out. Either way you're still getting water in the boat.

Living in SoCal kelp is a problem from time to time, sucking it into the intake. First thing I do for a clogged intake is exercise the valve several times, sometimes that's enough to break up the clog. Failing that simply unscrew the strainer open the valve and run a coat hanger type wire or a heavy duty bottle brush through it. You'll get some water in the boat but nothing the bilge pump can't handle. Plus you can clean the strainer while it's off.
Kevin Quistberg                                                 Top Gun 1987 Mk 1 Hull #273

Ron Hill

#2
cliff : I installed a round bronze strainer in the outside of the hull for the engine intake of raw water. Did that 25?? years ago and have never had to take any "snake" to any thing in that line.

A thought
Ron, Apache #788

Noah

#3
I have to disagree with Ron on this. Much more chance to have the "holes" in the outside-mounted bronze clamshell foul with debris, binnacles, seaweed, etc. your boat your choice, but I wouldn't do it. Mainesail agrees it is not a good idea.

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/why-i-dislike-like-external-strainers.124964/
1990 hull #1014, San Diego, CA,  Fin Keel,
Standard Rig

Jon W

#4
I installed a Vetus brand strainer mounted slightly above the water line. The top can be opened with the sea cock open and no water spills out. It's a straight line to outside the boat if you need to clear the sea cock.
Jon W.
s/v Della Jean
Hull #493, 1987 MK 1, M25XP, 35# Mantus, Std Rig
San Diego, Ca

Ron Hill

Noah : I've had 2 jams from hydrilla and one jam from sea grass. I put on that strainer and have NEVER had a jam since. That was over 25 years ago!!

A thought
Ron, Apache #788

KWKloeber

Quote from: Noah on November 03, 2024, 02:41:38 PMI have to disagree with Ron on this. Much more chance to have the "holes" in the outside-mounted bronze clamshell foul with debris, binnacles, seaweed, etc. your boat your choice, but I wouldn't do it. Mainesail agrees it is not a good idea.

https://forums.sailboatowners.com/threads/why-i-dislike-like-external-strainers.124964/

Absolutely agree.  More than once I would have been dead in the h2o from grass blocking an external strainer.
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the tradewinds in your sails.
Explore.  Dream.  Discover.   -Mark Twain

KWKloeber

Cliff

If plumbed and valve/everything sized correctly one can install a Tee so that one can use a wooden dowel that is the correct OD so that it slides past the open thru hull ball valve to clear it.  The tee can he just above waterline. 

Another option is to screw a hose or pipe into a tee only when you need it to bring the top above the waterline.

I've done it (temporarily) with a length of hose on the seacock and sliding a dowel down inside and down thru the ball valve.

My point is, there are different ways to do it. 

Ken
Twenty years from now you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do, than by the ones you did.
So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the tradewinds in your sails.
Explore.  Dream.  Discover.   -Mark Twain

Ted Pounds

Quote from: KWKloeber on November 11, 2024, 06:52:56 PMCliff

If plumbed and valve/everything sized correctly one can install a Tee so that one can use a wooden dowel that is the correct OD so that it slides past the open thru hull ball valve to clear it.  The tee can he just above waterline. 

Another option is to screw a hose or pipe into a tee only when you need it to bring the top above the waterline.

I've done it (temporarily) with a length of hose on the seacock and sliding a dowel down inside and down thru the ball valve.

My point is, there are different ways to do it. 

Ken
In conjunction with that T you can add an external strainer attached with just a bead of caulk.  In the unlikely event that the external strainer is fouled you can use that same dowel and T to pop it off. 😎
Ted Pounds
"Molly Rose"
1987 #447

Ron Hill

In conjunction with that T you can add an external strainer attach[ed with just a bead of caulk.  In the unlikely event that the external strainer is fouled you can use that same dowel and T to pop it off. 😎[/quote]

I wrote that up in the Mainsheet tech notes, did it and have never had to pop the strainer OFF!!         
I've hear of some people that have attached the dink pump and blown out a clog!!

A few thoughts
Ron, Apache #788

Ted Pounds

Quote from: Ron Hill on November 13, 2024, 01:46:41 PMIn conjunction with that T you can add an external strainer attach[ed with just a bead of caulk.  In the unlikely event that the external strainer is fouled you can use that same dowel and T to pop it off. 😎

I wrote that up in the Mainsheet tech notes, did it and have never had to pop the strainer OFF!!         
I've hear of some people that have attached the dink pump and blown out a clog!!

A few thoughts

[/quote]

I thought that was your idea.  But when you didn't mention it on the thread I figured I should.  😉
Ted Pounds
"Molly Rose"
1987 #447

Jeff Tancock

I'm in the Pacific NW and occasionally get seaweed clogging in the intake. First time it was overboard into the chilly waters to pull the weeds out! Very unpleasant but no time to think about it.
After some thought I found a 6" piece of hose that I can put over the fitting for the hose that goes from the strainer to engine and also fits over the end of my dingy foot pump. It needed a bit of duct tape to tighten the fit. Now when it plugs (about once every year or two) I grab my foot pump and the hose from it's spot beside the strainer. I pull the engine intake hose and replace it with the hose and foot pump, stomp on it and its clears quick and easy. Sometimes it takes a good hard stomp but always works...
Jeff Tancock
Stray Cat #630
Victoria, BC
Canada
1988 25xp