Inboard Stern Drive Cooling Systems And How They Work

Inboard Stern Drive Cooling Systems And How They Work Fresh seawater is normally drawn by a belt driven pump from a thru hull fitting in hull of boat on inboards, or by water pump in stern drive through the lower unit water passages on an inboard outboard, and then exits the boat through the exhaust. ^click to enlarge^ figure 2 shows the typical "enclosed" cooling system. this configuration. Today almost all new marine engines use the closed cooling system design. these systems are pressurized, just like your car or truck. by increasing the pressure inside the closed part of the system, the boiling point of the coolant is enhanced. for every pound of pressure added, approximately 3° f can be added to your engine’s operating.

Inboard Stern Drive Cooling Systems And How They Work The cooling system in a mercruiser engine consists of several components, including the water pump, thermostat, heat exchanger, and circulating pump. understanding how these components work together to ensure proper coolant flow is crucial for troubleshooting and diagnosing potential problems. the flow of coolant begins with the water pump. The cooling system in your mercruiser engine plays a critical role in its operation. it prevents the engine from overheating, which can cause severe damage and reduce engine life. by maintaining an optimal temperature, the cooling system ensures your engine runs efficiently. this leads to better fuel economy, improved performance, and less wear. It makes no difference whether it is salt or fresh, both are used to cool the engine. the process starts by drawing water into the engine through a seacock fitting and pumping it through the engine’s water jacket and ports by way of a mechanical water pump. in a raw water system the water is drawn up through the seacock by the water pump. Drain and flush the raw water cooling circuit. the majority of stern drive equipped boats use a raw water cooling system to cool the engine and stern drive unit. when used in saltwater conditions, this system is particularly susceptible to corrosion. the cooling circuit should be flushed with fresh, clean water to remove salts from the passages.