saltwater flush systems or closed cooling

Missused · Post by **Missused** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:21 am

Thinking of bringing my 1985 F32 from lake Erie to the gulf of Mexico and I have concerns about the salt water on the engines and a/c unit. Currently the engines (270 crusaders) and the a/c unit are cooled with raw water intake. Any ideas?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:17 am

The A/c systems will be fine ,just make shure you have a straner to catch jelly fish . putting a fresh water cooling system on is not a bad idea , but many boats use raw water cooling in salt water and still get years out of them . flushing of course will help

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:41 am

Welcome to the forum.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 7:09 am

a ball valve and garden hose quick disconnect (WITH A SAFETY CAP) will allow you to flush your AC unit, genset and engines after each use.

My engines are fresh water cooled, but I still flush the heat exchangers and AC after each use.

It takes just a few minutes.

I don't like the idea of saltwater bathing those components 24/7 while the boat is sitting.

RWS

Missused · Post by **Missused** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 10:40 am

Hey, thanks guys! Great website and forum

gettaway · Post by **gettaway** » Thu Jul 29, 2010 1:53 pm

I am in salt water 100% in southern California, I would switch to a closed system if you can or you will not only be replacing risers every 4 or 5 years, you'll also be replacing manifolds as well, one round of replacments you would have paid for a closed cooling system.

You will also have a shortened life on all components that are normally cooled by coolant, such, thermostat & housing (aluminum) engine block, water pump and its seals etc.
The warm baja water also increases marine growth and galvanic corrosion, as the warm salt water and the numerous dissimilar metals on your boat create the perfect electrolyte.
good bottom paint and proper zincs for salt water are a must. I have friends that have had their boat in Baja, and apparetly dry rot is an issue because of rain and the humidity , so keep an eye out for that as well.

hope this helps

DaddysGirls · Post by **DaddysGirls** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:31 am

I'd love to see a pic of this set up or hear more details on how to make it. It sounds like a great idea but I can't picture it.

RWS wrote:a ball valve and garden hose quick disconnect (WITH A SAFETY CAP) will allow you to flush your AC unit, genset and engines after each use.

My engines are fresh water cooled, but I still flush the heat exchangers and AC after each use.

It takes just a few minutes.

I don't like the idea of saltwater bathing those components 24/7 while the boat is sitting.

RWS

g36 · Post by **g36** » Wed Aug 04, 2010 10:25 am

here is a safety seacock conversion, keeping you from changing the whole thing out.you would use the service adaptor and fit for a garden hose . otherwise you'll have to pull the boat and install the safety seacock itself.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... ?pid=14693

DaddysGirls · Post by **DaddysGirls** » Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:57 pm

Thank you... I'm going to give this a shot.

g36 wrote:here is a safety seacock conversion, keeping you from changing the whole thing out.you would use the service adaptor and fit for a garden hose . otherwise you'll have to pull the boat and install the safety seacock itself.

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... ?pid=14693