Johnson A45 overheats

[bob-d]

Hi all, I have a Johnson A45 that overheats. Traced down the problem to one of the aluminum water lines in the lower unit under the head, that brings the cool water up from the prop wash is flattened. This must of happen when the previous owners banged it with the drive shaft when they took the lower unit on and off.
Has anyone ever replaced one of this lines? If so any tips would be appreciated. I am thinking about some sort of flexible braided line, as there are some tricky curves right under the powerhead.
Thanks,
Bob D

[lotec]

The only place you’ll find the original aluminum tubing is a really good A/C supply house. Most people just use standard copper tubing and compression fittings available at Home Depot, your hardware store, etc… Having a set of tubing bending springs or tubing bending pliers can help, though the hard right angle can be tricky. It can also help to fill the tubing with sand before you bend it, to help prevent kinking the tubing. You’ll probably need to make a few practice lines before you get it right – fortunately the copper tubing is pretty cheep!

Tubing benders are available at Sears and most good tool supply places.

[joecb]

Before you embark on making a new tube, have you tried removing the dent? If the tube doesn’t have to look pretty maybe you can squeeze the tube back open in a vice or by using "vice grip" plyers. I good source for usable aluminum tubing is in discarded refrigeration equipment. especially old de-humidifiers and freezer coils. be aware that most of the de-humidifier coils have a plastic coating on the outside surface that must be scraped off.
Also, that cooling system relies greatly on the syphon effect, any air leaks from loose joints or fittings will adversely affect the water flow.
Joe B

[Author]

Posts