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https://www.valvolineglobal.com/en-eur/marine-coolants/
MARINE COOLANTS: BOAT MAINTENANCE AND GETTING READY FOR THE SUMMER SEASON
Much like the case with car and truck engines with internal combustion, marine engines also need to be kept cool. Using marine coolant is among the basic aspects of proper engine maintenance and it needs to be approached with adequate consistency, know-how, and competence. Boat engines that are properly and regularly maintained in terms of the use of marine coolant last longer due to the mitigation of overheating scenarios.
Aside from the entire engine being kept at optimal working temperatures, regular use of the right boat coolant optimizes the workflow of the cooling systems as well, allowing them to also extend their lifespan.
HOW OFTEN TO REPLACE MARINE COOLANT IN MY ENGINE?
We suggest following the engine manufacturer's recommendation, but - typically - the required interval is 5 years (or 1,000 to 10,000 working hours). Also, bear in mind that marine coolant is not replaced in the winter.
HOW DO BOAT ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS WORK?
Now, unlike a car or a truck motor, boat engines have the privilege to be in the immediate proximity of water, which means that boat engines can utilize the water from below the vessel to keep themselves cool and working at optimal temperatures. Depending on the geolocation of a boat owner, the water beneath the vessel is either saltwater or freshwater. The cooling system injects the water that is then run through the boat engine to act as boat coolant while the engine is running.
Depending on the type of the boat engine cooling system, the water that is being sucked up from beneath the vessel is then working together with marine coolant for improved performance of the cooling system.
TWO MAIN TYPES OF BOAT ENGINE COOLING SYSTEMS
Boat engine manufacturers have two basic ways to engineer the cooling system of a marine vessel. These 2 systems include:
Raw Water Cooling Systems
Closed-Loop Cooling Systems
RAW WATER COOLING SYSTEMS
This model injects the water out of the lake, river, or ocean into the engine through a strainer (or filter). The water then cycles through the boat’s engine block. When the water completes its cooling task, it is ejected through the exhaust systems out the back (if the motor is an outboard one), or through the exhaust below the boat (if the engine is inboard).
CLOSED-LOOP COOLING SYSTEMS
Although there are various different ways this cooling system can be set up, the two main models of closed-loop cooling systems include:
closed-loop half
closed-loop full
Typically, closed-loop cooling systems inject the water into the engine and run it through a series of heat exchangers. One side of the heat exchanger deals with the injected water, while the other side uses marine coolant that goes through the engine block as well.
THE ADVANTAGES OF CLOSED-LOOP COOLING SYSTEMS
Generally, enclosed marine engine cooling systems are deemed superior to their counterparts - raw water systems. There are numerous advantages that are best leveraged if you run your boat on saltwater. When the system uses saltwater, a corrosive scale builds up when the boat motor operates at temperatures over 140°.
The case with the raw water systems is that the corrosion tends to build up inside the engine’s water jacket and ports. This leads to corrosion scales accreting to an extent that the water can no longer flow through the engine, which then results in overheating. If this is the case with your engine, we strongly suggest you seek professional servicing assistance, while it can also mean - depending on the level of corrosion - that it might even be time for a new boat engine.
Enclosed cooling systems use the raw water that goes through the engine’s water jacket and ports, but they also deploy marine coolant products. However, the raw water flows only through the heat exchanger. Granted, the same type of corrosion scaling tends to happen here as well, but in enclosed systems, once the water flow gets jammed and the motor starts to overheat, there’s an option to acid boil the corrosion scale and remove it from the heat exchanger. This will enable you to continue to use the engine.
The worst-case scenario with closed-loop cooling systems in this context is that you would probably have to replace the heat exchanger, which is still a much more cost-effective option than having to replace the entire engine.
Other key components of both types of marine engine cooling systems include:
Seacock
Sea strainer
Hoses
Clamps
Belts
Water pump impeller
CORROSION AND ITS PREVENTION
As we already mentioned, there are certain downsides to having an unlimited supply of cool water, and that is corrosion. As the heat exchangers in these systems operate at high temperatures, certain metal parts of the engine are constantly fluctuating in size. This expanding and shrinking dynamic causes these surfaces to deteriorate, which means that the seals and o-rings require regular replacement.
In order to prevent their marine engine from being ruined by corrosion, boat owners need to first change their mindset toward this task. Far too often has the following mantra been heard within the boat owner community - I do not use my boat as regularly as my car, so do not need to strictly follow routine maintenance best practices. Or something to that effect. This type of thinking can be quite dangerous, especially within saltwater boating environments.
For example, if your engine’s o-ring starts leaking, that almost always means that the saltwater has been introduced to the exterior of your motor. In time, this will lead to corrosion that is likely to destroy numerous components of your engine, while it can also cause serious damage to the cooling component sealing surfaces.
It is also important to mention anodes. Marine engines that are not being serviced regularly will use the same anodes for prolonged periods of time. As the main task of the anode is to collect the corrosion in a sacrificial manner so other, more expensive components of the engine would last longer, it is crucial to change them at regular intervals.
ENGINE HORSEPOWER AS THE FACTOR
The simple rule of thumb in terms of engine horsepower is - the more horsepower an engine has, the higher the temperatures it operates at. This results in stronger marine engines requiring bigger and more efficient cooling systems. These systems may need more maintenance on the owner’s part, so we recommend that you consult your engine owner’s manual for optimal maintenance tips in terms of marine coolant use, as well as anode replacement and other small tasks this process involves.
THE MAINTENANCE OF MANIFOLDS, RISERS & EXHAUST ELBOWS (IN PETROL ENGINES)
Exhaust manifolds and risers account for the exhaust components cooled by the water. The manifolds are bolted onto the engine, while the risers are mounted on top to lengthen the distance between the exhaust exit and the water level. The water level shouldn’t be above the exhaust level, otherwise, the water might get inside your engine.
The lifespan of risers and exhaust manifolds is between 3 and 7 years, depending on whether it is marine coolant or salt-water that runs through them. If these components get blocked, it means that the rust and corrosion caused irreversible damage to their interior. Here, simply cleaning them won’t do the trick. This means that it is time to replace them.
Also, there are 2 types of manifolds: wet-joint manifolds and dry-joint manifolds. Wet-joint manifolds and risers require checkups every 3 years (but can last up to 5 years in saltwater). Dry-joint manifolds and risers can go up to 8 years, and provide a lower risk of water entering the engine. Should you see that these components are leaking externally, it is recommended that you remove and inspect manifolds and risers immediately.
THE MAINTENANCE OF EXHAUST ELBOWS (IN DIESEL ENGINES)
Diesel motors often feature exhaust elbows. These elbows have the cooling water introduced before it exits overboard to cool the exhaust, which means it is also susceptible to blockage. It is strongly recommended that you check the health of exhaust elbows regularly.
THE MAINTENANCE OF AFTER-COOLERS (IN DIESEL ENGINES)
After-coolers with alloy housing are often found in newer marine engines that are capable of generating a higher horsepower from a small engine block. These after-coolers are deployed to cool down the air and make it denser before it enters the intake. This allows the engine to combust more air and fuel in fewer engine cycles.
However, this system requires regular servicing so o-ring and housing failures are mitigated. The typical interval for cleaning, greasing and refitting the coolers is every 3 years. This will keep them operating with optimal performance. If left unchanged, after-coolers can leak and give away to corrosion.
HOW TO AVOID COOLING SYSTEM ISSUES
FOR PETROL MARINE ENGINES
Always make sure you use the recommendations made by the engine manufacturer to remove, inspect and change the parts of the cooling system. Here are some general rules to keep in mind:
Exhaust manifolds and risers are replaced every 3 to 7 years
Heat exchangers should be inspected every 3 to 5 years
Make sure you keep a consistent log of when the exhaust manifolds and risers, as well as heat exchangers and oil coolers, were serviced
Be sure not to forget about anode replacement
Keep the log of when the marine coolant is replaced
FOR DIESEL MARINE ENGINES
Always make sure you use the recommendations made by the engine manufacturer to remove, inspect and change the parts of the cooling system. Here are some general rules to consider:
Exhaust elbows and heat exchangers should be replaced every 3 to 7 years
After-coolers and oil coolers should be inspected every 3 to 5 years
Be sure to keep a log of your last salt-water service (3 to 5 years most typically)
Be sure to keep a log of your last exhaust elbow inspection
Do not forget about anode replacement (typically on a yearly basis)
Keep the log of when the marine coolant is replaced
It is a good idea to flush and clean your marine engine with fresh water after it has been operated on saltwater
BUYING A USED MARINE ENGINE? HERE’S WHAT TO CONSIDER
Those planning to buy a used engine should be aware of several tell-tale signs that the engine is not in optimal condition. For example, you can find an engine that is more than 5 years old but its previous owner(s) didn’t keep a maintenance log. If this is the case, and there’s no service history of the cooling system, the safest approach is to assume that servicing hasn’t been done recently and you should - despite the cost - perform regular maintenance and replace all the necessary parts.
When test-running the marine engine, be sure to run it at full throttle for a prolonged period of time. This test will show if the running temperatures are too high - above 92 degrees Celsius or more. If this is the case, the cooling system is likely experiencing a blockage.
CHOOSE VALVOLINE™ PRODUCTS
Open waters, as well as other similar environments, can be unforgiving on your marine equipment. This is especially true for the engine in the long run, and you need to make sure that your vessel’s powerhouse gets only the top-tier oil, marine coolant, antifreeze, etc. Only then will you be able to set sail with adequate confidence. The confidence that your engine is running at optimal performance and is properly protected against deposits and corrosion.
This is where we come in.
Valvoline’s main mission is to provide vehicle owners with the best possible products available on the market. Our marine solutions are developed alongside Cummins and other manufacturers to deliver on a wide variety of marine conditions and technical requirements. Backed by the support of a dedicated technical team, you can trust that our marine products stand up to your vessel’s design and conditions, delivering value and allowing you to maximize every engine hour.
Our offer includes top-tier marine coolant and oil-based products that help your engine achieve peak performance and have a longer lifespan. With more than 150 years of experience, our clients know that all Valvoline products are meticulously developed and tested.
Our premium-quality oils, coolants, and lubricants are a result of enormous dedication, tangible experience and innovation, and the use of high-end technology. All Valvoline fluids are carefully selected and field-tested by our expert research teams. The testing is conducted within our state-of-the-art facilities so we know they always deliver maximum performance, minimum downtime, and optimized costs.
Here at Valvoline™, we care about your priorities and share the same goals of keeping your machinery, vehicles, and equipment functioning in rough territories in the toughest of conditions. |
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楼主: zhi007
狗仔卡
发表于 2023-11-19 08:12:28
显身卡
