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BOATWORK
BY TOM KENNEDY
Engine Raw Water Pump Rebuild Made Easy
While most of us sailors believe the wind, our
sails and seamanship skills are the true test of
our prowess as mariners, there is a need from
time to time for the helping hand of an auxiliary
engine. Expeditious docking, getting out of
harm’s way from weather and an occasional,
“Let’s get home now,” from the first mate and
crew (often the wife and kids), are all good
reasons to make sure your engine is working
and—better yet—healthy.
All too often, I see sailboat owners spend an inordinate
amount of time making sure their sails, rigging, electronics
and other accoutrements are all in great working order. The
engine often takes a back seat. Be it the mindset of sailors
who turn their noses up at the stink boats that drive by
unknowingly spewing their diesel exhaust in a three-foot
wake that is sure to make you and your crew hold on for
dear life and scramble to make sure nothing falls overboard,
or is it just a lack of knowledge of simple mechanics of an all
too important system of your boat, the auxiliary engine system
Engines are a relatively simple machine. Get the proper
fuel and air mixture, create a situation that ignites the mixture
and off you go. Operation and health of your engine are
two separate subjects. Maintaining a healthy engine
involves two very important aspects; making sure you have
adequate lubrication and cooling. Engines create a tremendous
amount of heat via the mechanical force of numerous
gears, pistons, lifters, cams and crankshaft. Marine engines
are very similar to your car engine. The only difference is
the boat engine uses a heat exchanger, while your car uses a
radiator to cool the engine. What is confusing is how raw
water interacts with the freshwater cooling system of the
marine engine.
Think of your heat exchanger as a radiator for your
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Typical Jabsco water pump components.
Impeller Removal.
Cam Plate removal.
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS September 2010 51