Salt Water

[Rxjoe]

I am looking at a 2010 Sea Ray 310DA. It has fresh water cooled engines. It does have bottom paint. It has been stored in salt water to date. Should this be of concern or does the fresh water cooling eliminate a lot of the salt water damage?

 

[LG111]

Hi, need more info. When you say FW cooling. Do you mean raw water cooled or heat exchanger cooled. Raw water and years could be problematic with the block, head and exhaust system. If heat exchanger then just the risers and manifolds would be of concern but normal. How many years in saltwater?

 

[Rxjoe]

heat exchanger. 6 years salt water i believe. what is the cost to replace risers and manifolds?

 

[LG111]

Depends on engine? What do you have and what set up is your current manifolds and risers. 6years is about it for saltwater. I'd negotiate new ones before you sign paperwork. A good price per engine is around 1500. Big blocks more, small blocks less.

 

[LG111]

Have the exchangers pressure tested. Usually they last ten plus years. Engine exchanger, oil cooler, trany cooler if vdrive. Fuel cooler if the package has that version.

Always get a compression test and oil analysis to be sure everything is healthy inside engine and trany.

 

[scoflaw]

Fresh water cooling will eliminate most engine damage. If these are small blocks the only part that is subject to salt water are the elbows. Manifolds and risers are cooled with AF.

 

[Brite Idea]

FWC cooled protects the engine but not the drive or transom assembly, you need to have a good look at those items. That being said I keep my boat in saltwater and it's FWC no issues and still going strong after 16 seasons.
Rob

 

[katricol]

Salt water gets a bad rap in some circles. Most Everywhere I go has salt ! Love it.