PDQ OWNERS FORUM

Hello to all,
A word of caution to all 75hp and 100hp owners.
As engines age there is one component at is due to fail...the exhaust elbow...

The exhaust elbow on all engines will fail at some point due to corrosion. A visual inspection on a regular basis will indicate a failure that will progress rapidly if not addressed. New Stainless steel replacements are available on Ebay for $270. (12/10/2014). Water and exhaust fume damage to the engine can be extensive if not caught early.

Hi all, I've been through engine exhaust elbow failure also. I got the latest generation from a Yanmar dealer. I think they were close to $400.00 range each. They had extra supports welded on where mine failed. While you are inspecting, check ALL exhaust clamps, the factory ones are not a good grade stainless. They only fail in Gulf Stream.
Roger on Teamwork

Does anyone have any history with the e-bay replacement Exhaust Elbows? I just had my second one fail on the same engine - probably about 500 hrs on it since it was replaced with a new Yanmar part. Seems like trying the e-bay substitute (now $285 including freight) is a no brainer. Just checked the Yanmar replacement which is now priced at $705. Seems to me that this is a Yanmar design failure - I've never replaced an exhaust elbow on any of my many boats over the past 50 years and now this is the second time in four years.

Jerry Shinn
PDQ 34 - 45

The failure isn't limited to the large Yanmars. I replace several on our Yanmar 18 hp engine on our 36 sailboat. The iron used just doesn't hold up well in salt water. I don't know about their life in freshwater, but I suspect it's no better. I wish that I had available a stainless alternative at the time.

Jerry,

I replaced both of mine in December with the ebay elbows. Seem to be a good quality piece, much more substantial than the yanmar parts. The ebay seller was very good to work with, solving a shipping issue quickly. When changing elbows I had to replace all the studs. They all came out easily, you might have replacements on hand just in case.

Rafe

Thanks for the replies guys - I'm going to weld my leaking one as a spare and try one of the e-bay ones. I had the first one that cracked welded as a spare and it got me home to Marathon from Bimini the other day after the second one started leaking.

Jerry

Hull # 29 has the the HDI Marine 129473-13550/1 "L3" elbows. The base had cracked on the port engine, and it had been treated with what looks like JB Cold Weld. I ordered a replacement direct from HDIMarine.net.

Mike, how much did you pay at HDI Marine?

hi all,

i bought a replacement elbow for a 370hp yanmar on another boat. they are top quality, cast ss, and the company is easy to deal with.

I looked at the elbow on the starboard engine and it a dull silver color with no rust. I assume it is cast stainless steel I doubt it would be cast aluminum because of the high temperature. Since I bought the boat with 2200 hours on the engines I assume it must be a replacement. Does anyone know what the original elbows look like?

Dennis and Cindy
Hull 95, 100hp engines.

Just looked on HDI website and they have SS ones for $224.00. Click Yanmar on their home page and then go to the bottom of the 3rd page.
Dennis and Cindy

hi,

originals are dull grayish/silver, and a smooth matte surface. i think hdi are cast ss and will be a rougher shiny surface. we replaced the exhaust elbow on a yanmar 370 with hdi.

i'm thinking we'll replace ours with hdi for next season. we have 3600 hrs on originals.

Hi Mac - sorry I missed your earlier question - I bought 2 from HDI, for a total of $626.71 ... maybe I need to brush up on my purchasing skills !

hi mike,

are they an exact replacement?

Hi John -

They were an exact replacement for what was on the boat when I bought her last year - HDI Marine 129473-13550/1 "L3" elbows. Pics below.

I did pick up a Yanmar exhaust elbow at Mastry - it was a big hunk of metal, maybe cast aluminum - and on the port engine, the corner of the elbow was a little too close to the side of the hull, and I was concerned that the hull flexing in rough weather might bang up against the elbow.,,,, and there was also the cost - about $1200 if I remember right.

The new HDI went right in with no modifications, using the existing adaptor ring.