Hashtag Salvideo
Troubles, Grease, and Longing: A Tense Day on Balanço | #SAIL #374
July 20, 2025 · 31 min · 29K views · Aratu Iate Clube
What this video covers
Adriano Plotzky performs maintenance on the Volvo engine of his sailboat, *Balanço*, while docked at Aratu Yacht Club in Salvador.▶ 0:22 The engine had been running 5 degrees Celsius hotter than normal and failing to reach maximum RPM, with excessive soot appearing in the exhaust.▶ 4:46 Plotzky and a mechanic clean the heat exchanger, discovering significant internal fouling on one side, likely caused by gravity-fed sediment accumulation.▶ 6:18 They also perform a valve adjustment, using a feeler gauge to set clearances while rotating the crankshaft to the top dead center (TDC) position for each cylinder.▶ 8:03 After reassembly, the engine starts, but the boat continues to struggle with power loss, failing to exceed 1500 RPM.▶ 23:59 Diagnostic tests, including checking the air filter and fuel delivery, suggest a potential exhaust blockage or restricted fuel flow.▶ 24:27 The maintenance session also includes replacing a seven-year-old starter battery that failed after sitting uncharged in the yard.▶ 5:49 Following manufacturer maintenance intervals for heat exchanger cleaning and valve adjustments is essential for preventing performance degradation and overheating.
More from Hashtag Sal
From Hashtag Sal — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.
The Sailing Directory Newsletter
One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.