Engine Flushing

[Bruce]

Why not flush the raw water cooling systems of diesels? A book showed a flush system through the galley sink with a Y valve tee'd into the raw water intake. You closed the seacock, filled the sink,opened the Y valve, started the engine and pumped fresh water through to reduce corrosion.On our Catalina 36MKII it is ugly to get from the galley drain to the engine intake. This could be done from a fresh water tank line but what kind of valving is needed? Want to avoid contamination of the water tank and would like to keep the installation simple since the valves are located under berths etc. Any ideas? Many Thanks.

 

[hp]

engine flush

there are several way to flush a raw water cooling system most of witch are custom made to the boat by the owners. One system I like is the hose connection to the strainer. Just be sure not to force to much water into the engine with the hose water presure.Ii think it is a good idea to flush the raw water side out and will only help to keep your cooling system clean and trouble free

 

[Rich Stidger]

Check out the Photo Forum

Bruce,Search the Photo Forum for "Improved Winter". I posted a technique for flushing the entire raw water loop very easily. You can probably adapt the same technique to your boat with little effort.Rich

 

[Randy]

Raw water flush

If you're only going to flush the raw water circuit occassionaly, perhaps disconnecting the intake hose (with a closed seacock)and placing it in a bucket of fresh water is the simplest route. Then start the engine to draw the fresh water through the system. Be sure not to run the impeller dry. (Adding a garden hose to the bucket will provide you with indefinite run time).If you are looking to flush the engine regularly, perhaps teeing in a garden hose fitting (with valve) to the intake hose would be an easier approach.Randy