adding on fresh water cooling system

[wjjwb2]

Hope I can get a long thread on this subject, I am considering having a fresh water cooling system installed, I still have sea trials to do in APR. it is a 2000 SR 240 Sundancer, with a 5.0 L standered engine, Merc. of course with BII, was going to do with just a MST Power Flush but was reading up on new aftermarket cooling systems....the boat will be in salt water for the entire season would like to install as much corrosin control as I can, such as a G.I. as well. how good are these cooling systems, and does the boat need to be hauled out again to install it. Does it affect any warrentys. Thank u

 

[Trent]

Re: adding on fresh water cooling system

Which aftermarket are you looking at?? Depends on the kit you get and your setup if you have to haul it out again or not.<br /><br />Does the boat have the Mercathode system?

 

[DJ]

Re: adding on fresh water cooling system

You will need the Mercathode system. You'll also have to haul the boat, freshwater cooling on a Mercruiser requires a through hull intake for cooling water for the heat exchanger.<br /><br />The drive cannot provide enough water for the fresh water system especially if you are cooling the manifolds also-which I would suggest if you're going to do it at all.

 

[wjjwb2]

Re: adding on fresh water cooling system

Thank U both for a reply, The 240 DA does have the Merccathode Sys. standered by Merc them selves, why would this make a differance??Over installing the MST Flush Sys. ?? Thanks Trent and djohns19

 

[DJ]

Re: adding on fresh water cooling system

The Mercathode system protects the drive components against stray "house" current leakage in a salt water environment. It may not be your boat that is "leaking" current into the environment.<br /><br /> It's just a good idea to have it in salt water. Your drive system is a mixture of dis-similar metals. Salt water plays havoc with that.<br /><br />There is nothing wrong with the flush system. It's just not as convenient as having a "closed" system. Also the closed system will allow you to run the engine warmer and more efficiently.

 

[DP]

Re: adding on fresh water cooling system

Over the past 30+ years I have installed hundreds of closed cooling systems on Mercruisers and have never installed a thru hull water pump. The standard outdrive water pump has been satisfactory for both Mercruiser and San Juan systems.

 

[hondon]

Re: adding on fresh water cooling system

Thank you BW, for backing up my thoughts . I too have installed dozens of fresh water cooling systems and never broken out a hole saw.The sterndrive waterpump output,on an Alpha,or the seawater pump on a Bravo are quite adequate to cool that heat exchanger.You gentlemen may know something I don't about operating in your area .Ready to share?

 

[wjjwb2]

Re: adding on fresh water cooling system

Well as of now I am considering having the Monitor fresh water cooling kit...claims to be an "in water" installation, will not attempt it myself so would like to hear from people as in how much would it cost me?? From reading this thread, seem like every one is leaning towards a cooling kit vice the MST Flush, also are their other brands of fresh water cooling kits ??? Tks All..

 

[hondon]

Re: adding on fresh water cooling system

You should check out San Juan Engineering .They will almost certainly make a closed cooling system for this engine unless your doghouse is exceedingly tight.Mercruiser itself will have systems ,though probably made by San Juan.Lemme do some surfing and research at work and I'll scare up some links.

 

[wjjwb2]

Re: adding on fresh water cooling system

I do appreciate it, ya gotta love this site<br />Thanks