Salt water in engine :((

[wastoute]

It isn't like I know nothing of boats, this must be my 5th one. Last year the wife, SWMBO, decided it was time for a new ride and this one needed to be the last. Having seriously tired of boats that live in slips from the Luhrs T-290 we had years ago I vowed never again to do that but she loves the amenities of a cabin so we found a great deal on a new 2007 Albemarle 28 footer and I had it put on a trailer so I could clean up in the driveway and buy gas at the gas station and not at the dock.

The most recent adventure in boating started when after launching the starboard engine wouldn't start. The mechanics tell me there is salt water in all the cylinders. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? The engines have less than 50 hours on them and I baby this boat like my own children never got. The mechanics tell me that there are not many ways this can happen but one way is that when the boat was launched seawater could have run back up the exhaust and through the headers.

I am mystified and Volvo has already apparently started backinig down on the warranty. Are there any other twin inboard owners out there that also keep their boat on a trailer who have heard of this?

 

[Don S]

Re: Salt water in engine (

The mechanics tell me that there are not many ways this can happen but one way is that when the boat was launched seawater could have run back up the exhaust and through the headers

That happens quite often, especially on steep ramps.
One way around this, is to back the boat down the ramp just far enough to get to the waterline on the boat, then put the drives down and start the engines. Then continue launching. The exhaust from the running engines will keep the water out.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Salt water in engine (

And saltwater sitting in the water passages of the exhaust manifolds for 2 years could definately cause them to fail internally. So if it was never flushed in its life, that's a possibility too.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Salt water in engine (

I seem to remember that Volvo has also decided that their stern drive engines do not need exhaust flappers or "seals" as Mercruiser calls them (and maybe they wouldn't help anyway)...

The problem here is that if you back a boat into the water (a little to quickly) you *could* produce enough "movement" to get the water running "uphill" as it were.....

Higher risers would help (I have 3 inch extensions on mine) and "flappers" might help too...Although I don't think you can get them or install them now as there's no place to put them..............


Ultimately, you should back into the water VERY SLOWLY........and you may have to start your engines after the water pickup is covered.....It's not a problem when you're backing under power since the engines are already running....


Regards,


Rick

 

[wastoute]

Re: Salt water in engine (

Thanks for your responses. The headers failing occurred to me. As you stated I doubted the engines had ever been flushed but I have religiously flushed with salt away. The possibility of headers on both sides failing at the same time seems pretty unlikely.