After following Gene's saga of the clogged mixing elbow it got me thinking that mine is probably due for replacement. I use a Yanmar elbow because it fits the space better than the Westerbeke/Universal part for my engine. After recovering from sticker shock for the OEM part I found an aftermarket supplier, ordered it and received it last Friday. Over the weekend I was with a friend who is a mechanic at a local boatyard. I asked him about his recommended replacement schedule. He thinks every 4 years is about right and much longer than that was a good way to ruin an engine. I checked my maintenance records but couldn't find a notation for when that part was last replaced so I'm sure it's long overdue. It will be interesting to see the condition the current mixing elbow when I get it off the engine.

A funny side note. The first place that I called wasn't taking any orders but the guy who answered the phone referred me to the importer and he said he had just recently received several calls for that part. I wonder if Gene has started a run on those things.