Take a look at manifolds/elbows

D

DaltonGang

Member
Aug 11, 2020
104
Boat Info
1995 SeaRay 370 Sundancer
Engines
8.1 Horizons
I took off all 4 elbows from my 8.1 engines and I thought it all looked good. I only took a picture of the worst manifold. The other 3 were just all black. This one has a slight color to it as you see in the picture.

I thought I was in the clear since they all looked good. Elbow welds looked fine, no rust. I'm going to clean them really good and double check.

BUT....my mechanic saw these pictures and recommended i get all new manifolds. He said anything other than black is a warning sign and they are 5 years old now (although only 150 hours).

I guess I want more opinions. I thought it all looked great and he's saying nope. He knows I will buy and install myself so he's not after making money in this case.
 

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Second this, I want the replies too. Mechanic told me i need new risers and manifolds this winter, cause they are leaking. Funny thing is, there is NO water in my bilge at all, so i cant help think i better get opinions from others. not going to take them off to look at them cause by then i may as well just put on new ones. why do 1/2 the job just to have to do it again next year. (think about that Dalton, you're half way there, I am sure Wade Garrett would agree).
 
Pirate Lady said:
Second this, I want the replies too. Mechanic told me i need new risers and manifolds this winter, cause they are leaking. Funny thing is, there is NO water in my bilge at all, so i cant help think i better get opinions from others. not going to take them off to look at them cause by then i may as well just put on new ones. why do 1/2 the job just to have to do it again next year. (think about that Dalton, you're half way there, I am sure Wade Garrett would agree).
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Well I know water in the bilge has nothing to do with manifolds and risers. You are preventing water in the engine which will basically kill the engine! Salt water gets down to the valves and pistons and game over. I wish they had a better design than spending $5k every few years as maintenance.
 
Pirate Lady said:
honestly, i did not know that, but still not sure why a reputable mechanic would tell me that.
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Well somehow he knows or thinks they are leaking into your manifold or maybe its just been 5 years or more. I know some can tell by looking at the gaskets and side of the engine for corrosion.
 
Here's the deal. The manifold is a cast item with an inner and an outer wall. No one can tell you how much material is left before it rots through, that's why it gets replaced on a time basis.
 
scoflaw said:
Here's the deal. The manifold is a cast item with an inner and an outer wall. No one can tell you how much material is left before it rots through, that's why it gets replaced on a time basis.
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Ok, that's a really good point. I'm trying to find a way for these to last a couple more years but these engines are $15k each so I better just get it done and move on instead of gambling.
 
The pitting on the mounting surface doesn't look good. I think that's a concern on it's own.
 
DaltonGang said:
Ok, that's a really good point. I'm trying to find a way for these to last a couple more years but these engines are $15k each so I better just get it done and move on instead of gambling.
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Good move on replacing them. Now you’ll have peace of mind and know to replace again 5 years from now.

Now ..please tell me where you can find a new 8.1 for $15k? Last I checked they were around $30k installed.
 
M Prod said:
Good move on replacing them. Now you’ll have peace of mind and know to replace again 5 years from now.

Now ..please tell me where you can find a new 8.1 for $15k? Last I checked they were around $30k installed.
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I meant $15k each and that was just from looking on google and seeing a price. I'm assuming you mean $30k installed for 2 of them? Mine have low hours and just put in under 5 years ago so it was a big motivation for me to buy this one. Every boat I looked at had 1000+ hours and I just didn't feel good about that.
 
DaltonGang said:
I meant $15k each and that was just from looking on google and seeing a price. I'm assuming you mean $30k installed for 2 of them? Mine have low hours and just put in under 5 years ago so it was a big motivation for me to buy this one. Every boat I looked at had 1000+ hours and I just didn't feel good about that.
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No I meant for one. Michigan Motorz sells a new one for $21k plus installation ..so figure $30k when all said and done.
 
M Prod said:
No I meant for one. Michigan Motorz sells a new one for $21k plus installation ..so figure $30k when all said and done.
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wow, nuts! Even more reason to take care of these babies

I'd just go diesel at that price!
 
Yes, I would just replace. Remove the manifold, block the hose ports and test by pouring Acetone in the water side. If any leaks to your exhaust side, then replace. (I really only recommend this if this is a fresh water boat as the Manifolds, risers and elbows last much longer). If salt water boat, best to just replace if everything is already off and they are 5 years or older.
 
I'd just go diesel at that cost!
MExcelsior said:
Yes, I would just replace. Remove the manifold, block the hose ports and test by pouring Acetone in the water side. If any leaks to your exhaust side, then replace. (I really only recommend this if this is a fresh water boat as the Manifolds, risers and elbows last much longer). If salt water boat, best to just replace if everything is already off and they are 5 years or older.
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yeah I already ordered them. Found a pretty good deal. My mechanic told me to take the elbows and put WD40 or diesel down the raw water side and see if any comes out of the welds. I thought that was a good idea to just test the elbows. They are stainless so he said the only thing they may need is a new weld at the bottom.
 
In a saltwater environment you can get approximately five years out of the manifolds and 15 years out of the stainless elbows. I agree white the mechanic's opinion in the original post. Mine look like yours when I replaced them.

I also spray paint the date that I replace them so that I (and future owners) know exactly when they were replaced last.

47370381951_ac8a800538_o.jpg
 
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Good move, 5 years is close to end of life for salt water manis.
 
SeadawgVB said:
In a saltwater environment you can get approximately five years out of the manifolds and 15 years out of the stainless elbows. I agree white the mechanic's opinion in the original post. Mine look like yours when I replaced them.

I also spray paint the date that I replace them so that I (and future owners) know exactly when they were replaced last.

47370381951_ac8a800538_o.jpg
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Cleanest bilge I’ve seen. I’ve eaten in worse conditions than that, in a restaurant in China town!
 
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