www.iFourWinns.com

What's up guys?! It's been freakin' hot as Africa here in NJ the past week or so. I'm getting a funky smell coming from my AC unit. I've posted before that the AC unit doesn't pump much water while running. I still have that issue where it trickles at times. I've seen other boats that have water really pumping out for their AC's but mine still seems to be an issue and now with this funky smell coming from it.... it's worrying me to say the least.

Any of you had this problem in the past?

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2005 Four Winns 268 Vista

If its only trickling out...clean out your strainer. Its either clogged, your pump is going out, or your thru-hull intake is clogged.

As to the smell, have you cleaned out the vent filter? Its located right behind the intake grate in the aft cabin which is held on by four philips head screws.

The only issue I have is its not cooling as much as I'd like. It was only down to 81 over the weekend, but we were in and out of the cabin all day and it was 95 out so I can't complain to much. I might add a vent further towards the bow in the cabin.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

You might want to check the pump impeller as well. I believe mine has a rubber one. Bear in mind, with as hot as the lake temps have gotten around here that will impact how cool it will get. Our lake temp is near 90 but I was still able to keep a meat locker like 68 degrees all weekend.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

Thanks for all the tips guys. I'm sorry to say that I'm not very mechanically inclined to do some of these things. How do I unclog the Thru Hull intake and where is it located? I've never worked on an engine in my life guys. Also, does anyone have like a pre-launch checklist that they use before they depart? That would be helpful to us new to boating

This forum is great. So much information from you guys. Thanks for all the help.

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2005 Four Winns 268 Vista

I put a capful of bleach in the drain pan every now and then to eliminate odor causing bacteria. Also, put some in the shower drain.

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Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

How many BTU's is your unit? I know my 268 has a 5k BTU, and SR puts 12k's in 320s.

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2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

You will have to pull the boat to clean it properly. It's located on the bottom of the hull. No engine work needed here, so you should be fine.

Our A/C works great, no problem maintaining 68 to 70 degrees in 90 degree heat. Just keep up with routine maintenance as suggested by others, and yours should work fine.

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Fairly certain it's 10,000 btu's.

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Former owner of:
1996 Four Winns Horizon 200 5.8L VP
2006 Four Winns Horizon 260 8.1L VP
2007 Sea Ray 290 Sundancer

Current boat
2004 Sea Ray 290 Sun Sport Twin 350 Mags

You could also have a pluged up water regulating valve. I do not have AC on my boat but this valve will control the head pressure of the system. If it is plugged it will restrict water flow through the condenser.

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2001 328 Vista "Nauta Dream 2"
AB Inflatable 10AL "Little Dreamer"
2000 248 Vista
1997 225 Sundowner


Mike

Funky smell like moldy or like electrical burning?

When the water's very warm it tends to cause a lot of marine growth. Check your strainers and clean them thoroughly. Just close the seacock first, open the strainer, remove the bucket and give it all a thorough cleaning.

It's also possible for the lines to the condenser to have gotten gunked up. Some folks have had luck running a bit of water in reverse back into the through-hull outlet. The idea being to back flush the line. But to do this you'd have to disconnect the line ahead of the AC pump. Likewise a bit of a diluted bleach solution put into the lines and left to sit for a bit (never more than a day) can help kill and gunk growing in there.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Thanks guys. Cleaned out the strainer and sure enough the smell was definitely coming from there. Sucked up a jellyfish at some point and man did it smell. AC is still acting up though. Seems like there is a clog somewhere else because with the strainer clean, at times the AC unit will shut down showing Hi Pressure or just shut down and blowing hot air. I can't figure it out. I think I will have to call a mechanic to check it out.

-Tom

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2005 Four Winns 268 Vista

Well, you're free to get gouged by mechanics all you like. But since the strainer was clogged you do well to try my idea of backflushing. All it takes it holding a hose with a flow rate less than the regular outflow up to the AC through hull. That and leaving either the hose off the pump or leaving the strainer open. Do not just run a hose into it full tilt. You don't want to be blowing any hoses off. Removing the pump from the connection just makes sure you don't push an excessive amount of pressure back against it or it's impeller. It's not fragile, but better to err on the side of caution. The upside is the bilge pump right near it will handle getting the water out, but you could just as well use a bucket to catch the water and any debris.

As you've discovered, this is why checking the strainers is a regular maintenance item.

That jellyfish is also a good reason for having a small wetvac available. Or at least some other sort of small bilge scupper and a pair of gloves.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I think that is a good idea. Give Irwin Marine a call and have them put one of their tech's
on the problem, they will figure it out. It should not be that expensive to have it diagnosed
and fixed properly.

linky

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

I was checking my AC system today after following this thread but have perhaps a silly question....how do you remove the AC strainer to clean? I tried to reach it earlier today on my 278 and eventually got twisted around enough to at least touch the thing but didn't want to damage it. Does it twist off?

Thanks

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Kevin
'06 V278
8.1 L Volvo
"Heart's Content II"

Yeah, there is a valve prior to the strainer that you must close first. Once it's closed, then you just twist it off. Be careful not to loose the seal that is in there once you start cleaning it out.

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2005 Four Winns 268 Vista