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I had a leak in one
of my portlights. I removed the frames and have everything ready to put
back together. What kind of sealant should I use? O.G., via e-mail
Before applying
any sealant, dry-fit the port to make sure all the fastenings fit properly.
If the frames are aluminum, use a silicone/acrylic
sealant. With other metal frames or those made of plastic, you can use
either polysulfide or silicone/acrylic sealant. I would avoid using 5200
or a similar strong adhesive because you will encounter difficulty if
you ever need to remove the frame.
Do you have a tip
for securing a nut to the end of a bolt when working in tight spaces?
E.L., via e-mail
Wrap some
tape around one finger, sticky side out. Use the tape to pick up the nut
and hold it in place on the bolt. This will make it easy to get a turn
or two started to tighten down on the bolt.
While I take the
usual precautions when changing my oil filters, I often wind up getting
things pretty messy. Any suggestions? H.S., via e-mail
Once you’ve
got the filter canister loose, slip a large, heavy-gauge plastic bag over
it. You can now remove the filter and let it slip into the bag without
fear of dropping it into the bilge. In addition, the bag will catch any
errant oil that may still be in the housing top.
Once you’re done,
you can seal the bag and dispose of the used filter in the appropriate
manner with your marina manager or dockmaster.
As semi-liveaboards,
we rely on our dryer. Lately it takes a much longer time to dry our normal
loads. What could be wrong? D.M., via e-mail
Most of the
time a faulty cycle timer or thermostat causes this type of problem, especially
if the unit is used a lot. If your machine has multiple heating elements
and one fails, this can affect drying time.
Consult your owner’s
manual for the correct troubleshooting procedure for your particular model.
Also make sure you keep the lint filter clean and that the vent duct is
not obstructed.
Need help with a
maintenance problem? Write to Maintenance Q & A, Power & Motoryacht,
260 Madison Ave., 8th Fl., New York, NY 10016. Fax: (917) 256-2282. e-mail:
ken.kreisler@primedia.com.
No phone calls, please.
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