Neutra-Salt

[bruceb58]

I went to the boat show this weekend and talked to the Volvo Penta reps about freshwater cooling. They were very persuasive regarding the Neutra-Salt system and after seeing the system on almost all of the larger boats at the show, I am thinking about installing it.

The claims made indicate that it really helps with the manifold and riser life which would not be protected by a half FWC system.

I found the kit at Boatfix for $164 which seems pretty reasonable.

Any thoughts by people that have used it for awhile?

 

[Don S]

Re: Neutra-Salt

I put one on my AQ260 about 3 years ago when I installed new manifolds and risers. I actully use the Salt-a-Way product in mine. No info on real life long term use though.
What engine and drive do you have?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Neutra-Salt

Volvo 7.4L Duo-Prop "LK". Have around 180 hours on the engine so far of which around 90 or so are salt use.

Put new risers on last year. Will be putting on new manifolds this year. Manifolds for this engine were back ordered most of last year so couldn't get them on at the same time.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Neutra-Salt

I use Saltaway after EVERY use, and I created my own flush system. Yes, do it! Like Don said thougfh, don't know on long term. Put new mans on last year, so I'll have a peek in a year or so.

 

[crawdadric]

Re: Neutra-Salt

Scaaty,
Can you provide details on your flushing system. I looked into the Volvo Penta system and I read somewhere that you need a sea water pick-up pump mounted to the engine. I have a 5.7 Mercruiser Alpha 1 with just the pick-up pump in the outdrive.
Thank you,
Crawdadric

 

[Don S]

Re: Neutra-Salt

It will not work with an Alpha or an OMC drive that has the raw water pump in the outdrive.
The way the system works, is the reservoir with the Neutra Salt in it, is attached to a solenoid and into a Tee in the SUCTION line of the raw water pump mounted on the engine. The the solenoid is energized, the valve opens and the Neutra Salt is sucked into the raw water pump along with the water.
Now, if you try that with an Alpha or OMC there is no suction hose in the engine compartment. The only thing you could do is hook it to a pressure hose. Then when you actuate the valve, the pressure fills up the reservoir with sea water................... Not, how the system was supposed to work. Plus, it does nothing on getting the NeutraSalt to the engine.

 

[VetteLT193]

Re: Neutra-Salt

It's really not any harder to use the salt-away system to flush, and flush like you normally would because it is in-line on the hose. It also allows you to clean the whole boat with it (and not just the engine).

The only reason to spend the extra money on the built in Neutra-salt system is if you live in an area that is difficult to flush because of noise.

If you have no noise constraints, it always seems better, IMO, to flush using clean water to not only get the salt out, but the other stuff that is in the water too...

 

[njlarry]

Re: Neutra-Salt

Has anyone seen any data to support Neurta salt performance? Wouls it be as effective as a fresh water flush?

 

[bijou22]

Re: Neutra-Salt

I have considered the Neutra salt but I work for a company deaing with heat exchange sytems for the automotive trade and I recently spoke to some of the lab guys who have told me that a fresh water flush would be just as good to get rid of salt, and he should now, we constantly perform this action when testing.
I have opted for the Perko flushing kit which is just as affective.

 

[Don S]

Re: Neutra-Salt

Fresh water flushing is fine IF you have fresh water available at your dock, and IF you actually use it each time you park the boat.

With the Neutra salt, you just push the button for about 45 seconds and shut the engine off. You're done.
With the flush systems, you get the hose out, get into the engine compartment, hook up the hose, out of the engine compartment turn the water on, start the engine, run for 10 minutes, shut the engine off, turn the water off back in the hole, disconnect the hose, close the valves and cap everything. Coil the hose back up close the engine up and now you can leave the boat.
Which do you think is going to get used more often?

 

[njlarry]

Re: Neutra-Salt

True there is more effort to fresh water flush, but the hose is out anyway to wash the boat. I quess my question is more about has anyone proven that Neutra flush or any chemicals actually work?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Neutra-Salt

Scaaty,
Can you provide details on your flushing system. I looked into the Volvo Penta system and I read somewhere that you need a sea water pick-up pump mounted to the engine. I have a 5.7 Mercruiser Alpha 1 with just the pick-up pump in the outdrive.
Thank you,
Crawdadric

When I had the Mans off, (Have a 350 VP with motor pump-suction), I pulled the brass intake pipe and sliced and Tee'd, ran a pipe up along the mans with a cap, and when I shut down, hook up a hose and saltway and run it a bit.

 

[johndoe]

Re: Neutra-Salt

any alternatives to the $199.99 kit from these guys???

Http://marineengineparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page463.html

I could make my own kit my self with the same or similar
parts, but by the time you go to several stores and make several trips to them, it may be beneficial to order this kit delivered to my doorstep...

does anyone know of similar kits like this from other sources for comparison???

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Neutra-Salt

any alternatives to the $199.99 kit from these guys???

Http://marineengineparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page463.html

Yes...$164 for the exact same kit at Boatfix.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Neutra-Salt

http://www.marinepowerservice.com/B...tter/Q/CATID/10935/layout/grid/display/12.cfm

$153

 

[Don S]

Re: Neutra-Salt

If you click the

button above the text box, and put your link in it, the link wouldn't be so wide you have to scroll to read the other posts.
You can also edit it

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Neutra-Salt

180shabah,

That is a strange site. Some items are outrageously expensive and others are major bargains. I entered another Volvo number for the neutra-salt and got this:

http://www.marinepowerservice.com/BoatingStore/browse_detail1.cfm/profileID/122238.cfm

$149.99

 

[johndoe]

Re: Neutra-Salt

I discovered that the item I purchased, was 152.90 + 15.99 shipping... 168.99

and the item at the link you sent, (same item, according to description and pic) was 149.95 + 17.50 shipping...
167.00

Very interesting.... two different item numbers, yet the same part... for 2.00 cheaper...

maybe not the best place to buy somethings...