Salt Water Cooled

[Shaun78]

I went to my local marina and asked what they suggested on a way to flush the salt water while the boat is docked. He said why bother. Salt bakes into the entire engine so even if you flush out the salt water that baked salt mixes with the fresh water and now its salt water again so it wouldn't extend the life of anything. Any Thoughts?

 

[kwoolard]

Re: Salt Water Cooled

I wouldn't trust that guy at the local marina....

I definitely would flush with fresh water after a salt water run or another flushing agent mixed in. I have used Salt-Away over the past few years and I like the results....the riser and manifolds don't corrode as fast.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Salt Water Cooled

Sounds to me like your local marina guy is looking for some work to eventually do on your motor.Take his advice and you will be handing him many dollars soon.Flush your motor as often as you can.After each use would be ideal.Make sure you run the motor long enough for the tstat to open while flushing to get it all.Charlie

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Salt Water Cooled

Shaun, I was advised by a Marine Mechanic that he had scavanged some good thermostat covers off an Alpha, and stored them in his attic until he needed them. He reported that even though he washed them with freshwater before he stored them, the salt continued to corrode them even in a dry location, and they were unusable.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Salt Water Cooled

Are you asking about flushing the engine while in a slip or on a trailer?

 

[Shaun78]

Re: Salt Water Cooled

flushing a raw water cooled engine in general (in water or on trailer) Mine stays in the water so I wanted to flush it out but a local marina said basically why bother...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Salt Water Cooled

but a local marina said basically why bother...

Ayuh,........
While there's No arguement that you guys who play in the Salt pond are having your motors Rotting away,.......

That doesn't mean that you can't Prolong the inevitable.......

 

[achris]

Re: Salt Water Cooled

In order for corrosion to occur requires a few things.. firstly iron, your block, heads, manifolds, etc... and oxygen. If you keep the engine full of water you will reduce the amount of oxygen available. I don't know what area you're in, but you may be one of these unfortunates who has to drain the engine for something called 'winterizing'. Never done it myself.. I hear it's a hassle.

All that said.... I would definitely be running fresh water though at the end of the day.

Chris..................................

 

[Lou C]

Re: Salt Water Cooled

Yep salt water does add to the issues, but all salt is not the same. Here in LI Sound, we are salty but not as bad a Fla or the Gulf Coast. I replaced one set of manifolds and one thermo housing in the 6 years I have had this boat. This one sits on a mooring 6 months of the year...never flushed until winterized...20 year old motor, but originally from Indiana...so the most of the use was in fresh before coming here. Other than that, thermostats have to be changed about every season because they start to stick open. The oxygen present for corrosion issue is one reason why, I fill my engine and manifolds with the good stuff, PG -100 with corrosion inhibitors....And don't worry Bondo....I drain it out before running the boat in the spring...
BTW, since doing this, the thermo housing I replaced in 2003, still looks pretty good....when I pull it off to change thermostats. Next motor will be closed cooled for sure.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Salt Water Cooled

I hooked a flusher on my raw water cooled that sits in the salt pond 8-12 weeks.
2 years ago, did all new Man's, raw and circ pump. Thats the stuff salt eats the quickest. Run Saltaway after every use. I know I will double the life of them. Mans look real good through the plugs after 2 years, not half gone, and all crudded up if never flushed with anything. Helps to start out with new parts though. Saltaway does little for something that is half gone from salt. Tossed an old OB 2 Cyl head in a bucket halfway, and it did nothing. S/W neutralizes the salt effect of corrosion, not damage done. Take 2 jars, steel bolt in each, saltwater in both, one with S/W, one nothing. Wait a bit...