Freshwater rinse fitting for Volvo diesel salt users:

[annie]

Hi All,

Its been a while since I posted... Been busy working on and enjoying the new boat.
This is so simple and cheap I thought I would share.
It is basically a 1 1/4" ' T ' fitting reduced down to take a shut-off valve and a domestic 'click on' hose fitting.
If you go down to your plumbing store (plastic Hansen fittings for the NZ guys) with a photo I'm sure they will be able to make it up for you.
The bonus is you don't need to run your engine and there are no sea-cocks to add or forget to turn on!
About 1/4 of the fresh water from the hose at full snot back-flushes the raw water pump and leg while the rest flushes your heat exchanger, intercooler and exhaust elbow. It then falls down the exhaust and pushes fresh water all the way out the exhaust.
Turn off the tap, disconnect and your done.
I fitted this about 5 weekends ago and have well and truly tested it. The exhaust tube is 4" and easily handles the water coming out the elbow.
I rinse my engines for a couple of minutes after most outings and especially when locking up (I'm in a marina but those who are moored could adapt the transom shower hose), it works well and will ensure the raw water system stays trouble free for a long time and the exhaust elbows will last longer.

Before:

View attachment 24703

After:

View attachment 24702View attachment 24701

 

[melida]

Annie,
Just find this thread while searching as I want to do the same to my KAD300, how I missed this thread.
I can winterize my freshwater system, airconditioner and drains while the boat is on the water but can't the engine because it's stern drive.
This setup will enable me to run the engine with fresh water and then with antifreeze when below 0C/snowy days in the winter.
Thanks for the photos.
Have you encountered any leaks or cooling issues or air lock while on plane or fast cruise/90%wot ?
This possibility fears me.
Could you give some details about the modifications.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Lord Farringdon]

Hi Guys,

Hey, you posted this almost a month ago and neither me or Sayat saw this? Great idea Mike. My only concern (because I'm a clumsy clot) is that I would step on the damn thing at sea one day while rolling about and bust it off. Because that is below the waterline (in my case anyway) there is not a lot of ways back from there except plugging up the holes with wooden stoppers and taking a cruise of shame with those freindly Coast Guard types. Perhaps a metal fitting rather than plastic might be an improvement on a good idea? Its certainly got my attention though. Anyway, hows the Genesis going. Did you get all the electrolysis issues sorted? I bet you've knocked the boat in to shape by now eh?


Terry

 

[melida]

I'm thinking to put a T fitting before the impeller, or mainly before the power steering cooler. So salt water will stay at just a short part of the intake hose and stern drive water pick up.

Mike, I see that you put the fitting after the impeller, so you could use the sytem when the engine is not running ?

I read that fresh water rinses both sides, is it simultaneously or when you hook the garden hose does the water goes through the aftercooler, heat exhanger, oil cooler and exhaust elbow side or goes through the sea water filter, power steering cooler and then exits via stern drive?

I would like to run the engine firstly with fresh water then with neutrasalt and antifreeze sucking from a bucket for long stay during coldest days of winter when not in use.

And of course as Terry mentioned the most significant part of this plumbing is safety, while protecting my engine from salt water I don't want to fill my entire boat with salt water.:smt021