closed cooling system

[ericcarr2000]

Re: closed cooling system

I realize air doesn't freeze. As I had stated before, I have never had to do a typical winterization on a marine engine due to my current motor having a closed cooling system. All I was looking to do was to pick peoples brains on how to do it. I don't understand why people on here have to get short.....

 

[thumpar]

Re: closed cooling system

I realize air doesn't freeze. As I had stated before, I have never had to do a typical winterization on a marine engine due to my current motor having a closed cooling system. All I was looking to do was to pick peoples brains on how to do it. I don't understand why people on here have to get short.....

It is just that this is a no nonsense, no emotion forum. There are many that have worked in the industry for years and bless us with their knowledge. Don't take it personal. Just keep asking the questions and you will get the right answers.

 

[ericcarr2000]

Re: closed cooling system

Well I guess Ill just have to order that new 7.4 motor and install that cooling system on her then..:joyous:
I need a new winter project anyways....

 

[thumpar]

Re: closed cooling system

Go for it but I would suggest your signature as better advice.

 

[ericcarr2000]

Re: closed cooling system

My signature?

 

[thumpar]

Re: closed cooling system

Look at the bottom of your posts.

 

[ericcarr2000]

Re: closed cooling system

Lol, ok you got me on that one, but, I wasn't trying to fix anything. Just trying to improve it is all...:joyous:

 

[tazrig]

Re: closed cooling system

It won't work. Well it will but the issue you will have is the years worth of crud in the block will plug things up in the closed cooling system and cause constant overheat issues. The motor has to be pretty new to add closed cooling. Unless it was replaced very recently you are going to spend a tonne of money on something that will be a constant headache.

+1^^^ Don't even consider a closed cooling system for the reason mentioned above. The prevailing wisdom is no more than 20 hours on the engine if you are going to convert and it's much preferable to do before engine is even used for the first time.

 

[Lou C]

Re: closed cooling system

I agree with not adding closed cooling to an old engine but can understand the desire to make winterizing easier, having crawled around in the bilge for 11 winterizations worth on my current boat. If I do wind up re-powering it I will for sure add at least a half system but I am in salt water where it really makes sense. Still having said that, my current engine has been run in salt for at least 15 years and has not rusted through yet. Even some mechanics here say to stick with raw water cooling.
What you might consider is to look at your engine access to make it easier. What I did when I re-built the interior of the boat, was to cut the big bulkhead behind the bench seat in half vertically and put a take apart hinge in the middle. When I replaced the rear bench seat I got a pair of pontoon boat seats that together were the same size as the OE seat. So I can remove one side and one half of the bulkhead and get in there without taking the whole back of the boat apart. I would get rid of the Merc plastic drain plugs and use metal ones like OMC and Volvo did if you can. They will not break like the stupid plastic ones (not one of Merc's better ideas). I put OMC gasket sealer on them they come right out, even in salt water. I will keep this engine going as long as I can but no way would I run salt water through a nice new engine.

 

[agallant80]

Re: closed cooling system

Hey some people have to drain their blocks after every use to prevent the critters from getting from one lake to the other. Its not that big of a deal. I can pull the plugs on my block in less than a min. Do it a few times and it won't be that bad. I like the concept of closed cooling but when I really think of it I don't want more things to go wrong on the boat not to mention the additional cost of replacing those parts on the closed cooling system when they go. With that said the reason I was thinking about it was because I did not want to worry about the manifolds developing a leak and destroying everything. If that is the case then I will use it as an excuse to upgrade to a 5.7