Check Your Hot Water Heaters!

aero3113

When I was changing the oil yesterday in the engines I noticed some salt around the hose end where the raw water goes into the hot water heater. I wiped the salt and all of a sudden I had a decent leak. I wiggled the hose and the barb and hose broke off! Luckily I found this now then it blowing off while underway. There was enough of the pipe left so I was able to just reattach the hose. I will need to cut and create a flair to hold the hose and clamp secure. I do carry a straight union to join the hoses together if the heater ever failed on me out on the water.

Liberty44140

Interesting I always thought coolant ran through my water heater, not raw water. Is it always raw water?

aero3113

@Liberty44140 , I’m raw water cooled so it might be different on you engine.

Cableguy Greg

Liberty44140 said:

Interesting I always thought coolant ran through my water heater, not raw water. Is it always raw water?

More than likely it’s coolant on your boat since it gets attached at the circulation pump. 

Liberty44140

Ahh gotcha, thanks gang, makes sense 

Liberty44140

Can you replace that part or is it time for a new heater unit?

aero3113

It’s not replaceable but there’s enough pipe left on mine to be able to still use it. If it broke closer, a new heater would be needed.

LaRea

But you know you're living on borrowed time, right?  Corrosion happens in the entire pipe, not just the end.  

aero3113

LaRea said:

But you know you're living on borrowed time, right?  Corrosion happens in the entire pipe, not just the end.  

Yes
I’ve been looking at new heaters.
Anyone have any reviews on the Kuuma units??

davidbrooks

I bought the kuuma 2 years ago and no complaints.

YYZRC

I have a kuuma that I bought start of last season. It is leaking already at the same fitting. 

J3ff

Mine has only ever seen fresh water from the dock. Did not hook up the coolant from the engine to circulate because it's pretty much 80+ degrees everyday here.. the engine warms the tank even on "cool" days.. we don't have "cold" water in the keys, ever. Lol.. Even turning a regular house shower onto cold only is still a warm experience! 

LaRea

I installed a Kuuma two years ago.  It was shipped with a faulty thermostat, and they sent me a replacement at no cost.  Other than that, it has performed well.  

DanW

I installed a kuuma two years ago and have no problems with it so far. 

PickleRick

J3ff said:

Mine has only ever seen fresh water from the dock. Did not hook up the coolant from the engine to circulate because it's pretty much 80+ degrees everyday here.. the engine warms the tank even on "cool" days.. we don't have "cold" water in the keys, ever. Lol.. Even turning a regular house shower onto cold only is still a warm experience! 

Your thick northern blood is doing the taking here.  Another few years down there and anything under high 80s may as well be glacial water. 

J3ff

ha ha, water temp was 78 today. Everyone else was talking about how cold it was. Couldn't believe it. Was perfect temp!!

PickleRick

78 is well below what I can swim in comfortably.   You'll get there lol

I've swam the reefs down there in June only to come home and the lake temps here are 5 degrees warmer here.  There's a reason Floridians don't vacation the Bahamas in the winter, just not warm enough.  

Spyderweb

Our swimmable season is more like 65-75.