Re: Yanmar Exhaust Mixing Elbows

Hayden

Thank you for responding. Before I embarked on this project I had reviewed this blog and noted the 2 different types of elbows. The elbow on my 4JH3TE looks like neither. The elbow that is currently installed that needs to be replaced is definitely a custom made elbow. The flange on the elbow is triangular and mount through 3 bolts. I called Mastry Engine Center and they gave me the Yanmar OEM part number 129671-13552. I have not been able to find the exact images of this Yanmar part number, but there are several other manufactures on the internet that have a similar products. The Yanmar part does not seem to be quite as long or as "hefty" as the custom part that is presently installed, but the shape appears to be the same. I am curious whether anyone has had experience with this OEM part as far as longevity, or are there better options.

Tom

I contacted Hake Marine/Island Packet. They were very helpful. On the IP 440 and IP420 they removed the Yanmar mixing elbow and commissioned a company called Suncoast Specialities (727-584-3252) in Largo FL to manufacture a different mixing elbow. The company is still in business, they charge $442 and it takes about 2 weeks to manufacture the part.

I have a 2002 420 that I bought new. several years ago Packet sent a notice telling owners to consider replacing the exhaust elbow because it could become a fire hazard if the engine ran hot for a period of time. They felt that it was very close to the bunk surface. They were in the process of designing a new elbow to lower the height so it would not be as close to the bunk. Apparently that was done and you have the replacement installed when your 440 was built. I called and tried to get the replacement years later and talked to Karsten. He said they did not have any in stock but may have some produced later as they felt that the earlier owners would want it when it was time to replace the old style elbow. I am glad you found out the source and I will be calling them to have one manufactured for me. again Thanks

The guy you want to talk to at Suncoast is Bill Mingle

On our IP445 we have the 4JH3-TE engine. The mixing elbow part number is 129472-13501. Yanmar's cost ranges from $1300 and up!

Our engine has only 400 hours on it but since it's 12 years old I plan on taking it off to see if there's any build up in the elbow. I've ordered a replacement gasket so that I have a new one when putting the elbow back on. At the above price I'm sure hoping that it isn't getting any build up! Even for a boat this seems like an extraordinarily overprices piece of kit!

I removed and examined mine after a number of comments here with about 1,500 hours on the engine. Pristine, perfect! I am still not sure if it is bronze (I think it might be) but should be fine as I think it is the same or similar - as Haden rightly says if it is the square one you are ok. It is a good time to clean any carbon deposit from the turbines while you are at it; I found just a small amount of deposit which came away without drama.

Yep, those parts are pricey. Andromeda's 4jh2te received a new exhaust elbow, $1,000; and a new turbo, $1,350, this summer. You have to shop hard to beat the Yanmar dealer price. Here is a source for all parts: Al Holzer, Schoonerbaymarinallc.com.
BTW, Andromeda's original exhaust elbow (20 years old w/ 1500hrs.) was not replaced because of scale buildup.
Also, I bet if you take the hose off that connects at the top you will be able to see all you need to confirm it is clean.

Hi Hayden

As you can see from the above picture, ours is a 'square' one. But when I discussed this with the service manager for the Canadian Yanmar distributor, he didn't agree. He said that he would recommend a regular check of the elbow and expect it to require replacing at some point. Given how protective Yanmar is of their dealer network, it's not possible to do much comparison shopping for the elbow but the local dealer in Washington state quoted over $1300US for our model. That's outrageous really but what option do you have if/when the elbow does require replacing?

OK, guy's first a radiator shop will boil in acid, not steam clean, and that is only if you can find one. Radiator shops repaired the old brass and copper radiators and except for old farm tractors and the like I haven't seen any radiators that weren't aluminum and plastic for years, those you replace, not repair.
Radiator repair shops and those that rebuild starters and alternators are getting rare, business model now is replace, not repair.
To clean an exhaust elbow is simple, its simple mechanical scraping of the exhaust deposits is all. What usually keys you to know you need to do this the engine won't reach full RPM with a clean hull and prop anymore, do not replace an elbow just because it's clogged, clean it.
However what does trip an elbow replacement is when it wears through to the water jacket inside of it, and when that happens your getting salt water into the exhaust before its supposed to be, and it can get back into the exhaust of the engine and cause valves to seize and cylinders to rust, may ruin your engine.
I would be very suspect of an elbow that last forever, I have seen some home made ones out of SS that might, they are really dry elbows that are heavily insulated to keep heat in, and the water is injected down stream a little so that it cannot go back into the engine. When you see one of these, you ask the guy if he has ever replaced his engine and as often as not the answer is yes, because my elbow went bad, I didn't know it until it ruined my engine.

Not sure how to edit a post here, but here is a decent article, it cover all types of boats, but explains things well
www.yachtsurvey.com/exhaust_risers.htm

The U shaped elbows are SS, and much inferior to the "box" elbows which are silicon bronze. I'm not so sure I would want an SS elbow myself, not if there were a bronze one available, motors are real expensive and while nothing last forever, the bronze elbow will last several times longer than an SS one.
If anyone is interested the price for the bronze elbow that fits my 4-JHE on my old 38 is $561.66, Yanmar part # 129470-13540 from Mastery.
The gasket for it is Yanmar part number 129472-18090 $9.68

Hi Jody

That price is less than half of the quote that I received for the elbow on our 4JH3TE. Given that Yanmar dealers are very protective of their geographic sales area, it's difficult to purchase outside of your region. Having said that, I'd be very interested in seeing what price your dealer asks for our part 129472-1350. We were quoted $1389.54

Would you mind checking with your dealer on their price?

Cheers
Blair

At $130 I could go through ten spares before I covered the cost I was quoted for the current model on our engine. I can't get over how expensive they are!

I'd call them yourself, it's just Mastery engine in St Pete I think. I am in Ga and guess I am in their area.