I've been digging around the forum to what info there is regarding how long manifolds last in non-fresh water environments.
I've got a 2005 Chap 256SSi with the MX 6.2 MPI s/n 0W061713, Bravo 3. I've owned the boat going on 6 years and bought it with 160 some hrs on it. It was a fresh water boat and I mainly boat in brackish water. It's trailered and I haven't been consistent on flushing it after every use. Based on what I've read, I think I'm pushing the limit to where I need to start thinking (and saving $$) about replacing the manifolds and such. I have not had any cooling issues up to this point.
I've also read that I could start off with popping the elbows off to inspect the water passages. I'm assuming if I pop off the elbows, I will need to replace the gaskets. Can I re-use the bolts? I've read things where these bolts could become elongated if torqued down too many times. I've seen pictures of what the rust build up would look like, but I just learned that those pics were of wet joint elbows/manifolds. I have dry joint with 3in risers, so would I expect to see similar rust build up?
Any advice/suggestions? Probably more questions to follow.
I've got a 2005 Chap 256SSi with the MX 6.2 MPI s/n 0W061713, Bravo 3. I've owned the boat going on 6 years and bought it with 160 some hrs on it. It was a fresh water boat and I mainly boat in brackish water. It's trailered and I haven't been consistent on flushing it after every use. Based on what I've read, I think I'm pushing the limit to where I need to start thinking (and saving $$) about replacing the manifolds and such. I have not had any cooling issues up to this point.
I've also read that I could start off with popping the elbows off to inspect the water passages. I'm assuming if I pop off the elbows, I will need to replace the gaskets. Can I re-use the bolts? I've read things where these bolts could become elongated if torqued down too many times. I've seen pictures of what the rust build up would look like, but I just learned that those pics were of wet joint elbows/manifolds. I have dry joint with 3in risers, so would I expect to see similar rust build up?
Any advice/suggestions? Probably more questions to follow.