20 HP 4 Stroke Cowl fell off

[willk]

Originally Posted by smallribber

As things get older it is quite surprising what can fall off.

Tell me about it. My quick check leaving the house of a morning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqXZ9YoRD50

[Fenlander]

Truth be told that's a sound checklist.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Truth be told that's a sound checklist.

They say "a dead bird never fell from the nest" but in today's nervous society, it's best stow everything appropriately...

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by willk

but in today's nervous society, it's best stow everything appropriately...

or put it in the boot.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by smallribber

It is very possible to over analyse things isn't it

Of course. Its also possible to massively over estimate things.

Originally Posted by smallribber

Mind you towing without it on meant about 2 KG less weight on the Transom

[smallribber]

Went out in the T40 again today and towed with a material cover on the engine Cowl in the boot. I think I have sussed out why it fell off but I still am keeping that firmly in the boot. No worries while at sea though

[Fenlander]

>>>I think I have sussed out why it fell off but I still am keeping that firmly in the boot.

Is that written in code and sealed in an envelope then?

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by smallribber

Went out in the T40 again today and towed with a material cover on the engine Cowl in the boot. I think I have sussed out why it fell off but I still am keeping that firmly in the boot. No worries while at sea though

I refer the honourable gentleman to #7 & #32

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Steve509926

Sorry Dennis but if that's the case, why bother? The forum only works when members help one another. It's your thread but if you can't "find the time and effort" to finish it, then I don't see the point in why you posted the thread in the first place.

To warn others of a potential issue to look out for and to see if others might also have had the issue and know what the solution might be

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

>>>I think I have sussed out why it fell off but I still am keeping that firmly in the boot.

Is that written in code and sealed in an envelope then?

As you mentioned back in the thread the front hook needs to be carefully located and slightly pushed back. You then need to giggle it at the rear a bit and make sure all is 100% located and then clip up the over centre clip. It is rather easy to get this slightly wrong and not notice.

I am not 100% sure this was my issue but 95% sure. I will still tow with the cowl in the boot however 👍

[smallribber]

That’s my towing system. Not much flapping and need to buy more bungee

[smallribber]

Further investigation carried out. 100 % certain now. The front of the cowl at the front clip is just too flexible and allows about 8 mm movement which would allow this to ping off.

The clip is pop riveted on so I may take this off and put a strip of thin galvanised strap along the front and pop rivet it back on. Might also stick the galv strip on with some CT1

[Fenlander]

Interesting. I agree when the cowls are off the lower edge all round can be quite flexy but in all those I've owned once clipped on the flex is taken out so the front clip would never move 8mm forward and lose engagement. But if that is your issue yes a strip of steel using the rivets and sealer-adhesive should work.

[User name]

Originally Posted by smallribber

Further investigation carried out. 100 % certain now. The front of the cowl at the front clip is just too flexible and allows about 8 mm movement which would allow this to ping off.

The clip is pop riveted on so I may take this off and put a strip of thin galvanised strap along the front and pop rivet it back on. Might also stick the galv strip on with some CT1

That's the useful info.

Would bending the hook cure it? if the plastic itself is flexing, a stick-on fibreglass patch on the inside could be used to stiffen it.

[smallribber]

Here is a little video I just made that hopefully shows the flex in the cowl. I am pressing quite hard but I do feel this flex caused the issue. A big bump in the road is quite a jar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY7xwDMqon0

[Fenlander]

Both my outboards here at the moment pull the cowl front catches quite hard onto the OB lower "pan", almost stretching the cowl on so there is zero movement once the rear closing catch is engaged.

I can see that you seem to be losing about 50% of the full engagement as the middle of the cowl is sprung forward in its resting state. So whatever you do about reinforcing it needs to pull the middle of the cowl back in its resting state. The alternative is to fabricate a new piece of steel to replicate the cowl clip and have it come about 10mm further backwards to ensure engagement.

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Both my outboards here at the moment pull the cowl front catches quite hard onto the OB lower "pan", almost stretching the cowl on so there is zero movement once the rear closing catch is engaged.

I can see that you seem to be losing about 50% of the full engagement as the middle of the cowl is sprung forward in its resting state. So whatever you do about reinforcing it needs to pull the middle of the cowl back in its resting state. The alternative is to fabricate a new piece of steel to replicate the cowl clip and have it come about 10mm further backwards to ensure engagement.

I was thinking the same with regards to a longer front clip which I think is the best option. I will have a parts search to see if a replacement might actually be longer. I have inspected the cowl and it does not look damaged or stretched in any way.

The issue I have is that even if I fix this I am not sure my 'head' will allow me to tow with it on

[smallribber]

Another slightly annoying thing is that the rivets holding the clip have the start instructions sticker over them. To remove them would entail cutting a chunk out of these start instructions. Not a real biggie but would be a pity.

I also checked the rear over centre catch and to be honest it is in very good nick but not that strong in my view

[User name]

Originally Posted by smallribber

Here is a little video I just made that hopefully shows the flex in the cowl. I am pressing quite hard but I do feel this flex caused the issue. A big bump in the road is quite a jar

Might the cowl be cracked under the seal there? That does look to be flexing more than you'd expect.

[willk]

Originally Posted by User name

Might the cowl be cracked under the seal there? That does look to be flexing more than you'd expect.

Probably happened when it fell off that time...