Ok, it's time for me to ask some questions to validate what I think I need to do, make sure I'm doing all that needs to be done, and get some warm fuzzies that I'm doing the right thing. Power plants are twin 5.7L carb'ed Mercruisers (250 hp) coupled to Bravo II outdrives.
On my port engine, one exhaust elbow is definitely hotter than the other and hotter than the 2 on my starboard engine. I don't exactly how much hotter (don't have an IR or laser thermometer). I can still put my hand on it, but wouldn't want to leave it there as long as on the other three elbows. From what I've learned on this board and others, this condition is probably an indication that there is some blockage going on (even though the engine is only 3 years old with about 100 hours on it) and will likely lead to more serious trouble sometime down the road.
Your opinions, recommendations, and advice on the following questions are most welcome:
1) Should I be worrying about R&R'ing the elbow now or can it wait until the Fall lay-up or Spring commisioning?
2) When I do the R&R, should I also R&R the riser(s) and/or the manifold(s) to be on the safe side (would probably double the cost) or just stick w/doing the elbow(s)?
3) Should I R&R both sides on one engine even though the other elbow show no sign of a problem or wait?
4) Should I do all sides on both engines now (even though the starboard engine doesn't exhibit any symptoms)?
5) Is it difficult to R&R these things (I used to work on F-4 and F-16 fighters in the late 70's)-will I be able to do the work myself?
6) Can the work be done in the water if it needs to be done now?
7) If I do all the elbows, risers, and manifolds, would it be a wise investment to install the Monitor full FWC systems (available from Boatfix) at the same time (provided a lot of junk doesn't come pouring out when I do the R&Rs)?
8) Have forgotten to ask any questions that I didn't know I needed to ask?
Sorry for the length of the post and the many questions, but I need to know that I'm not throwing away cash on things that don't need to be done. Thanks in advance.
On my port engine, one exhaust elbow is definitely hotter than the other and hotter than the 2 on my starboard engine. I don't exactly how much hotter (don't have an IR or laser thermometer). I can still put my hand on it, but wouldn't want to leave it there as long as on the other three elbows. From what I've learned on this board and others, this condition is probably an indication that there is some blockage going on (even though the engine is only 3 years old with about 100 hours on it) and will likely lead to more serious trouble sometime down the road.
Your opinions, recommendations, and advice on the following questions are most welcome:
1) Should I be worrying about R&R'ing the elbow now or can it wait until the Fall lay-up or Spring commisioning?
2) When I do the R&R, should I also R&R the riser(s) and/or the manifold(s) to be on the safe side (would probably double the cost) or just stick w/doing the elbow(s)?
3) Should I R&R both sides on one engine even though the other elbow show no sign of a problem or wait?
4) Should I do all sides on both engines now (even though the starboard engine doesn't exhibit any symptoms)?
5) Is it difficult to R&R these things (I used to work on F-4 and F-16 fighters in the late 70's)-will I be able to do the work myself?
6) Can the work be done in the water if it needs to be done now?
7) If I do all the elbows, risers, and manifolds, would it be a wise investment to install the Monitor full FWC systems (available from Boatfix) at the same time (provided a lot of junk doesn't come pouring out when I do the R&Rs)?
8) Have forgotten to ask any questions that I didn't know I needed to ask?
Sorry for the length of the post and the many questions, but I need to know that I'm not throwing away cash on things that don't need to be done. Thanks in advance.