Hello All,
I am in the process of spring commissioning and trying to figure out how the water system in an E38 is laid out. In my 1983 E38 there are two water tanks, one in the bow, 40 gallons? and one starboard under the salon berth also 40gallons? I filled both tanks to capacity with a shock treatment of bleach then ran all the plumbing fixtures until the antifreeze was purged. I left the system overnight pressurized. This morning I ran each fixture for a long period of time, many minutes alternately to purge the system and dump the bleach. Here are the things I don't understand about the system:
1. There appears to be a vent line that connects both water tanks together. Since the bow tank is higher than the starboard tank, the bow tank bleeds off into the starboard tank even if the bow tank is shutoff. Any reason for this?
2. The waterpump, Shurflo (Shurfail?) brand I think, is mounted in the engine "room" on the starboard side just behind the fuel filter. Is there any reason why it would be there? Seems like a fairly hot location and well above the water tanks so it has to suck water uphill. Does this make sense? I would think it better to have it mounted down next to the starboard tank where the two tanks "Y" together?
3. The waterpump seems to cavitate from time to time. The water will flow well, nice and strong and then after a while it will spit and foam a bit with much reduced flow. If I shut it off and wait a while and then turn it back on the flow is normal again. Any ideas?
4. Is there a practical way to simply dump the water tank contents without running the water out with the waterpump?
5. Recommend a publication with good information on how to properly plumb and service water systems on boats?
The system also has a water heater, shore power/engine heat type and an expansion tank under the sink. All ideas, recommendations and help appreciated. Thanks, RT
I am in the process of spring commissioning and trying to figure out how the water system in an E38 is laid out. In my 1983 E38 there are two water tanks, one in the bow, 40 gallons? and one starboard under the salon berth also 40gallons? I filled both tanks to capacity with a shock treatment of bleach then ran all the plumbing fixtures until the antifreeze was purged. I left the system overnight pressurized. This morning I ran each fixture for a long period of time, many minutes alternately to purge the system and dump the bleach. Here are the things I don't understand about the system:
1. There appears to be a vent line that connects both water tanks together. Since the bow tank is higher than the starboard tank, the bow tank bleeds off into the starboard tank even if the bow tank is shutoff. Any reason for this?
2. The waterpump, Shurflo (Shurfail?) brand I think, is mounted in the engine "room" on the starboard side just behind the fuel filter. Is there any reason why it would be there? Seems like a fairly hot location and well above the water tanks so it has to suck water uphill. Does this make sense? I would think it better to have it mounted down next to the starboard tank where the two tanks "Y" together?
3. The waterpump seems to cavitate from time to time. The water will flow well, nice and strong and then after a while it will spit and foam a bit with much reduced flow. If I shut it off and wait a while and then turn it back on the flow is normal again. Any ideas?
4. Is there a practical way to simply dump the water tank contents without running the water out with the waterpump?
5. Recommend a publication with good information on how to properly plumb and service water systems on boats?
The system also has a water heater, shore power/engine heat type and an expansion tank under the sink. All ideas, recommendations and help appreciated. Thanks, RT
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