Broken piece .. what is it? and where did it come from?

[b00tstrap]

I found this metal piece up against the shift shaft in my bell housing of my merc alpha 1. This part of the housing is exposed to the exhaust bellow/tube. Any ideas what it is or where it came from? The other piece is not around.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Broken piece .. what is it? and where did it come from?

It appears to be a part of an Exhaust Flapper........

It was mounted Up-stream in the Exhaust pipe..........

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: Broken piece .. what is it? and where did it come from?

It appears to be a part of an Exhaust Flapper........

It was mounted Up-stream in the Exhaust pipe..........

... and should i be worried that it broke?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Broken piece .. what is it? and where did it come from?

It keeps lake water from rushing back Up the pipe Into the cylinders..............

Do you Never,......... Stop Quickly,..??...
Back Into a Wave,..??....

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Broken piece .. what is it? and where did it come from?

I would recommend replacing it, they are designed to keep water from backwashing into the engine.

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: Broken piece .. what is it? and where did it come from?

It keeps lake water from rushing back Up the pipe Into the cylinders..............

Do you Never,......... Stop Quickly,..??...
Back Into a Wave,..??....

Oh boy, I see where you are going with this. I can prevent the stop quickly, but if I am anchored, and some wake hit the stern would that be an issue? Does it help that the drive is tilted all the way down?

Anyone had to replace this ever? I would like to get a feel for what is involved!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Broken piece .. what is it? and where did it come from?

At the Top of the Downpipe on an inline motor,....
Or, In the Same location of a Y-pipe on a V motor,.......
Is Where the Flappers live,.....
It's accessed by pulling the Riser that's Just Above it.........
Along with the short Rubber Hose that connects them.........

 

[b00tstrap]

Re: Broken piece .. what is it? and where did it come from?

I found a reference in my merc manual that says the engine does NOT need to be removed to replace the "exhaust shutters". Whew! What a relief. Its hard to tell from the pictures, so when it stops raining I'm going to take a closer look.

 

[Don S]

Re: Broken piece .. what is it? and where did it come from?

At the Top of the Downpipe on an inline motor,....
Or, In the Same location of a Y-pipe on a V motor,.......
Is Where the Flappers live,.....
It's accessed by pulling the Riser that's Just Above it.........
Along with the short Rubber Hose that connects them.........

Most of the newer ones are where bondo mentions. What year and type engine do you have?