As noted in previous posts, our oil pressure gauge has been erratic since the start of this trip. At first it wouldn’t work until the engine was warm, then it wouldn’t work past 1900 rpms, then it would work but only after 20 minutes of running time. This needed to be fixed and with the help of our Rhode Island brain trust (Thank you Fred & Giff!) we narrowed the problem down to a sensor (a small electromechanical device attached to the engine). We then found a Cummins Diesel repair facility in Dania Florida, next to Harbour Towne Marina, a short distance from the ICW. Calling ahead, the part would be ready for us when we arrived.
I am fully prepared to accept a ration of derogatory and uncharitable comments from my fellow boat owners for opting to have a mechanic install this relatively simple part…However, during the installation, while looking under the engine (an observation that requires a Kama Sutra physical contortion around the underside of the engine (no photos please) Juan Carlos from Sun Power Marine discovered a very sad raw water pump (sad because it was weeping rusty water into the bilge). The options were; remove and rebuild or replace with new. Damn it, we’re on vacation. Put a new in and lets get going! He was back that afternoon with a new pump and a belt that he said was also at the end of its life. For the non boaters reading this, there is an old joke…BOAT is an acronym for ”Bring Out Another Thousand” oh so true…
And so, we spent 2 days at Harbour Towne Marina in Dania Florida, tied up to a fixed dock, looking at the back of a dry stack storage.
After the day of repairs…cleaning…planning next routes….reading…we walked a mile to dinner in Dania and decided it might be safest to uber back to the marina. We left Dania with the oil pressure & engine temperature in perfect harmony. We are also moving faster now that we are not encumbered by all those extra dollars.
never hurts to have new eyes in the engine room
Particularly eyes that know what they are looking at.