Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > General Discussion > General Boating Discussion
Closed (fresh water) cooling- Why don't all engines have it? >

Closed (fresh water) cooling- Why don't all engines have it?

Notices

Closed (fresh water) cooling- Why don't all engines have it?

Old 07-01-2015, 06:20 AM
  #1  
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thread Starter
 
rak rua's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Thailand
Posts: 3,511
Received 1,118 Likes on 469 Posts
Default Closed (fresh water) cooling- Why don't all engines have it?

Sorry if this is a stoopid question but as a guy who plays in salt water, I just don't know why all boats don't have it?
(If you don't laugh me off the forum, I've got a couple more stoopid questions I might post)

There's no argument that salt water boats require a bit more attention to keep them perfect and fresh water cooling is an advantage with preventative maintenance but aside from the initial cost, I just don't get it.

Does FWC suck horsepower?
Does it use extra fuel?
Does it take up too much space?
Does it require additional maintenance?
Does it not work on high performance engines?

I would think "Not really" to all of the above so what is the reason it's not standard right across the range?

RR
rak rua is offline  
Old 07-01-2015, 06:46 AM
  #2  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Frankfort IL
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I too would like to know. Even in fresh water boats FWC has serious advantages. With the amount of money spent on engines it would seem like a no brainer.
murfman is offline  
Old 07-01-2015, 07:31 AM
  #3  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Conway, AR
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

I would think for the same reason not all motors use forged cranks and pistons. MONEY!!!! Mfrs will go to great lengths to save a penny anywhere they can.
CrownHawg is offline  
Old 07-01-2015, 07:04 PM
  #4  
Charter Member #394
Charter Member
iTrader: (1)
 
SFOcean's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: CA
Posts: 532
Received 32 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Not a stupid question. Cost, weight, complexity and packaging are reasons not to offer it. Big power would take a really big heat exchanger. I have used it before and liked it.
SFOcean is offline  
Old 07-01-2015, 10:18 PM
  #5  
Registered
 
TYPHOON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Edison NJ USA
Posts: 5,089
Received 190 Likes on 76 Posts
Default

FWC is the best insurance you have along with guardian mode. They have saved my motor and headers countless times !!!!!!!!
TYPHOON is offline  
Old 07-01-2015, 10:58 PM
  #6  
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thread Starter
 
rak rua's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Thailand
Posts: 3,511
Received 1,118 Likes on 469 Posts
Default

I've just had a good read through mercuryracing.com and it seems the blue motors now have closed cooling which means it must be a good thing!

Even the 1650 reads "Engine and turbocharger center sections are closed cooled............." This answers my initial question for the bigger engines but the average boater with his small block V-8 or a V-6 would really benefit from the little extra option.

I suppose as CrownHawg said, it's just penny pinching by the manufacturer.
I hope all the raw water cooled engines corrode and blow up and Mercury can spend a whole lot more rebuilding them under warranty!

RR
rak rua is offline  
Old 07-02-2015, 06:17 AM
  #7  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: OK CIty, OK
Posts: 1,449
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Some of the most expensive items on the engine package would be negatively impacted- the exhaust and intercooler. The intercooler wants the coolest water possible and water that's been through the heat exchanger (hx) will never be as cool as the raw water stream feeding it. The exhaust just wants all the water it can get, it's a rather large hx to fill, and thus would require an much larger primary hx to cool the stream before reentry to the block. This could of course be made to work, at the expense of space.

No system additions come without penalty, and one can fairly easily mitigate the corrosion issues on a pleasure boat so why add the complexity?
Cole2534 is offline  
Old 07-02-2015, 09:43 AM
  #8  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Whalesvagina, CA
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by CrownHawg
I would think for the same reason not all motors use forged cranks and pistons. MONEY!!!! Mfrs will go to great lengths to save a penny anywhere they can.
I think it is the Customer who goes through great lengths to save a penny anywhere they can, If it was THAT important to have it than any motor with out it by this time will have become obsolete.
nofastboat is offline  
Old 07-02-2015, 01:44 PM
  #9  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Frankfort IL
Posts: 583
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I look at it this way. I consider exhaust to be a wear item on a marine engine so I am installing 1/2 systems on my motors. This way my engine is protected by antifreeze, the heat exchangers are a manageable size, and plumbing is simple. fresh water pickup>sea strainer> raw water pump>heat exchanger>Manifolds>risers. The engine with its circulating pump just connects to the heat exchanger. Easy to winterize, expensive engine protected all year round by antifreeze.
murfman is offline  
Old 07-02-2015, 02:02 PM
  #10  
Registered
 
TYPHOON's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Edison NJ USA
Posts: 5,089
Received 190 Likes on 76 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by murfman
I look at it this way. I consider exhaust to be a wear item on a marine engine so I am installing 1/2 systems on my motors. This way my engine is protected by antifreeze, the heat exchangers are a manageable size, and plumbing is simple. fresh water pickup>sea strainer> raw water pump>heat exchanger>Manifolds>risers. The engine with its circulating pump just connects to the heat exchanger. Easy to winterize, expensive engine protected all year round by antifreeze.
Sounds like a merc or Illmore LOL
TYPHOON is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.