I'm the 2nd owner of #68, the Jolly Swagman. On my Westerbeke40 there is a 45 degree elbow with a nipple brazed into it that injects the water into the dry exhaust leaving the engine. It was wrapped with fiberglass cloth and a stainless sleeve that made for a factory looking instalation. While removing the head, in the process of looking into a smoking problem, I found this piece to be installed backwards. Squirting water directly into the exhaust manifold whenever the engine was running. From little specks of water making it past the exhaust valve while the engine ran, I found metal severly eroded in the combustion area of the head. Worst in the 4th cylinder and getting better as you move forward, with no damage in number 1. This is like sticking a garden hose in the exhaust manifold whenever the engine was running. This screw-up looked very factory and I can't help but wonder if anyone else has come across this situation? My smoking problem was from low compression due to metal missing from the head. After a complete warm-up the engine would smooth out and the smoke stop as the extra heat would help combustion. I actually had put the engine back together with new valves, guides, springs, seats, etc. Leaving the eroded metal, well, gone. It was after no smoking improvment, I found the reversed elbow. Until then, I couldn't figure out what made the damage. She still smokes like a Peterbuilt when cold, but I know she'll stop and all the water is now going the right way. When it reaches the top of the list, I'm going to try welding and reworking the head, before thinking about a new one. As all cylinders held lite oil in them and the walls and pistons looked fine, I'm thinking that ought to do it. Had all the injectors rebuilt. Again, curious if this has come up before with anyone else.......
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