Cooling System Service & Why It’s Important
The cooling system of your yachts equipment contains some of the most critical components that allow your yacht to perform as it should. Its job is to literally cool down the heat created by the engine, transmission, or generator, so that they can run at the proper temperature. Without a properly working cooling system engines, transmissions, and generators can quickly overheat, leading to costly and sometimes catastrophic damage. The big question is, how do we avoid the bad things that can occur from a cooling system failure? The simple answer to this question is to Stay on top of cooling system service!!!
What Cooling System Service Entails
Servicing or replacing heat exchangers, gear coolers, oil coolers, aftercoolers, fuel coolers, raw water pumps, and strainers.
Flushing old coolant and replacing it with fresh fluid.
Inspecting and replacing worn hoses, clamps, and seals.
Removing scale, corrosion, and other buildup that restricts water flow.
These are photos of two different heat exchangers (Coolers that cool the coolant down). Both you can see have significant corrosion and build up. This is a perfect example of coolers that should be serviced as soon as possible. The heat exchanger with the broken off impeller blades in it, is from a Lugger generator. The other heat exchanger is from a Mercruiser L29.
These photos are of a Kohler generator that has a heat exchanger that has failed. We know this because it is evident that saltwater is mixed with the coolant. On the coolant cap we have clear signs of calcium. The coolant has also lost it’s color. And when we start the generator the cooling system foams up immediately and starts to overflow, indicating that the sea water pump is pumping water into the fresh water cooling system.
These are two raw water pumps off of two different generators, but they are both the same model generators. That green corrosion in the center of each pump is an indication that the pump is not only leaking, but is on it’s way out. The hole that water is leaking out of on each pump is what is known as the “weep hole”. In one of the photos you can see that impeller blades had broken off and completely clogged the outlet port of the pump completely cutting off water flow.
Why Cooling System Service Matters
Prevents Overheating and Erosion
Proper service ensures the system can not only reduce heat effectively, but it also protects against saltwater continuously eating away at the cooling system components. Overheating can cause major and even catastrophic damage to engines, transmissions, and generators. Saltwater erosion will cause damage just as badly by the means of saltwater intrusion. Whether that be saltwater getting into the oil via the oil cooler, or by getting into the air intake via the aftercooler just to name some examples. Bottom line is regular cooling system service will extend the life and reliability of your yacht.Reduces Corrosion and Blockages
Saltwater, rust, and mineral deposits can clog cooling passages. When these passages get clogged it can restrict sea water flow to the point things just aren’t being cooled enough.Saves Money Long-Term
Routine service is far less expensive than repairing or replacing components damaged by overheating or corrosion.Peace of Mind on the Water
A properly maintained cooling system provides confidence that your vessel’s engine, transmission, and generator are staying as cool as you.