Vetus heat exchanger
Posted: Sun July 12th, 2009, 4:47 pm
We have a Vetus 2 cylinder inboard based on a Mitsubishi engine that has been and still is running really well, and is a good match to the Wild Duck.
I have been a bit worried about the coolant suddenly changing from green to clear when we lifted in, and yesterday we had the first "shakedown" of the season.
All went well. We lashed the mainsail in place and I've now found the fittings I stupidly left off after repainting the boom, so that's OK. But the engine overheated twice.
I'm asking here in the vague off-chance that someone is a real expert with these engines, so here is the story.
About 12 years ago we had an overheating problem, dismantled the heat exchanger and took it to the nearest Vetus agent for him to look at. I took with me some long, thin drill bits, and it was as well that I did because he dismantled and determined that we should clean out the tiny pipes using my drills. He did this and the engine has, until now been fine. But now I'm worried that the pipes may have a small leak as well as blockage.
He said that there is no manufacturer of similar heat exchangers, and that this particular type was made by a lone Dutchman to fit these engines. When he retired, the replacements required a change of engine design, and the current exchangers are impossible to fit.
So my question, before I make contact with the agent again, is whether anyone knows of a common bodge for these older Vetus engines (incidentally, it was badged something like SMC rather than Vetus, but is identical to the Vetus model of that age). Would, for example, a maker of model steam locomotive boilers be able to repair or replace the tubes in one of these wonderful, craftsman made devices?
I'm feeling too old and decrepit (and poor) to replace the engine!
I have been a bit worried about the coolant suddenly changing from green to clear when we lifted in, and yesterday we had the first "shakedown" of the season.
All went well. We lashed the mainsail in place and I've now found the fittings I stupidly left off after repainting the boom, so that's OK. But the engine overheated twice.
I'm asking here in the vague off-chance that someone is a real expert with these engines, so here is the story.
About 12 years ago we had an overheating problem, dismantled the heat exchanger and took it to the nearest Vetus agent for him to look at. I took with me some long, thin drill bits, and it was as well that I did because he dismantled and determined that we should clean out the tiny pipes using my drills. He did this and the engine has, until now been fine. But now I'm worried that the pipes may have a small leak as well as blockage.
He said that there is no manufacturer of similar heat exchangers, and that this particular type was made by a lone Dutchman to fit these engines. When he retired, the replacements required a change of engine design, and the current exchangers are impossible to fit.
So my question, before I make contact with the agent again, is whether anyone knows of a common bodge for these older Vetus engines (incidentally, it was badged something like SMC rather than Vetus, but is identical to the Vetus model of that age). Would, for example, a maker of model steam locomotive boilers be able to repair or replace the tubes in one of these wonderful, craftsman made devices?
I'm feeling too old and decrepit (and poor) to replace the engine!