cracked block's already

[outboardtech]

GUY'S some advice . When I came to Service and Winterise a boat a week ago I discovered after running up the engine the BLOCK had cracked already . Customer couldn't believe it that he left it too long for a WINTERISE . YESTERDAY SAME THING HAPPENED . GUYS get your block's and manifold's drained down if you haven't already done so . THIS is more for the Inboard people . chow

[Carl]

drained,flushed,and 2 greenhouse heaters in the engine bay,to keep all those electrics dry,oh and covered in wd40

[outboardtech]

U got is carl buddy

[IBWET]

Originally Posted by outboardtech

GUY'S some advice . When I came to Service and Winterise a boat a week ago I discovered after running up the engine the BLOCK had cracked already . Customer couldn't believe it that he left it too long for a WINTERISE . YESTERDAY SAME THING HAPPENED . GUYS get your block's and manifold's drained down if you haven't already done so . THIS is more for the Inboard people . chow

Did they not have anti freeze in the system?...why does it happen to boats and not cars?.

[outboardtech]

a car is a closed cooling system and uses a radiator as we know and antifreeze . most inboard engine's out in the field today are a open system . sea water come's in from lower unit or thru valve in bottom of boat . Im sure if you used water in your radiator instead of antifreeze this would also happen ? I don't take any chances when it comes to this and run the engine's thru an antifreeze mix . I have a kit I made up with a 20 litre container , a valve , hose and ear muff's . Antifreeze into container , valve on and run her up . As you see antifreeze coming out of exhaust , you know this system is treated .

[alystra]

Originally Posted by outboardtech

a car is a closed cooling system and uses a radiator as we know and antifreeze . most inboard engine's out in the field today are a open system . sea water come's in from lower unit or thru valve in bottom of boat . Im sure if you used water in your radiator instead of antifreeze this would also happen ? I don't take any chances when it comes to this and run the engine's thru an antifreeze mix . I have a kit I made up with a 20 litre container , a valve , hose and ear muff's . Antifreeze into container , valve on and run her up . As you see antifreeze coming out of exhaust , you know this system is treated .

You mean to say that most modern inboard engines haven't been 'marinised' with a heat exchanger to separate 'raw' water from the engine cooling fluid? That seems absolutely incredible. What sort of idiots install engines like that?

[jwalker]

Some are, some aren't but even with those that are there is always water left in the heat exchanger system so something must be done to prevent that freezing. I always leave the raw water side full of antifreeze to prevent corrosion winter or summer. It holds about 4.5lts. Not easy if your boat lives on the water tho.
Argos and other stores sell an 800watt oil filled electric heater which has a low level frost stat setting so can be made to use electricity only when the temp is very low.

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by alystra

What sort of idiots install engines like that?

Why thank you, most kind.

As it happens, some of the Mercruiser/Volvo range of petrol motors come as standard as a closed cooling system, but more for protection of the ally cylinder heads from sea water.

All Mercruisers can be purchased with an "add on" closed cooling system for an additional 1500 quid or so, needless to say the majority of people buying them decline the offer, even though us "idiots" recommend it.

[alystra]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

Why thank you, most kind.

As it happens, some of the Mercruiser/Volvo range of petrol motors come as standard as a closed cooling system, but more for protection of the ally cylinder heads from sea water.

All Mercruisers can be purchased with an "add on" closed cooling system for an additional 1500 quid or so, needless to say the majority of people buying them decline the offer, even though us "idiots" recommend it.

Dirk, if you've recommended a closed circuit cooling system, even though it costs quite a lot more, it's not you that's the idiot, it's the customer who ignores your expert advice.

It was outboardtech's comment 'most inboard engine's out in the field today are a open system ' that I find incredulous. I thought running raw seawater through an engine block originally designed for freshwater and antifreeze in a vehicle was a no no and caused all sorts of problems with blocked cooling galleries and corrosion. Perhaps things have changed over the years since I installed the Perkins 4 108 into my ketch.

[alystra]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Some are, some aren't but even with those that are there is always water left in the heat exchanger system so something must be done to prevent that freezing. I always leave the raw water side full of antifreeze to prevent corrosion winter or summer. It holds about 4.5lts. Not easy if your boat lives on the water tho.
Argos and other stores sell an 800watt oil filled electric heater which has a low level frost stat setting so can be made to use electricity only when the temp is very low.

Yes. I was thinking of boats with engines below the waterline, left afloat over winter. They keep much warmer than those ashore. I never had a problem with freezing in my ketch. I can see it's a problem with boats ashore.