cold water in raw water engine

[cat1168]

Can 30 degree water cause any problems in a raw water engine?
Running 10W-40 oil to help with the cold.
The need to ski is to great to wait for warm water!

[Hollywood]

Re: cold water in raw water engine

Running 10W-40 oil to help with the cold.

If you're running 10W-40 for cold weather, what are you running in the summer?

[M3Fan]

You know, I wondered about this myself. I've run boats in 40 degree water, and the boats seem to be fine. However, just think of the temp differences- one one side of the Tstat you have 40 degree water- on the other side, in the same housing, you have 160 degree water. Or the exhausts- burning hot exaust gases inside, surrounded by near freezing water outside. Now, cast iron I understand can take quite a bit of temp difference, but I still wonder... Also, think of the gel and fiberglass- in your engine compartment the fiberglass of the hull is warm and toasty, but just a half inch down it is 40 degrees. Stress cracks, delamination, etc, come to mind but I have never heard of anything happening.

[Daryl]

i want to start of by saying I'm not expert............but...........

my understanding of the cooling system is that the raw water pump creates a positive pressure and when the thermostat opens, water comes out of the engine and then mixes with the cold to go out the exhaust.

since ALL the cold water is going out the exhaust while the engine warms via the bypass, there isn't really any drastic temperature gradient as described above. (cold water doesn't rush though the thermostat and into the engine)

my 2 (canadian) pennies

as for the OIL, I'm not touching that one.

M3Fan has some interesting points though...

[Onthewater]

the water is quite warm coming out of the exhaust, i've never had cold water coming out of the exhaust, the cooling system wouldn't be doing its job if that was the case.

maybe he uses 20w-50 in the summer

[Rick]

I think this would be a good question for the folks at SKIDIM. I'd like to help but here in San Diego the water gets down to a frigid 53 degrees in the winter. As for the oil I would also ask SKIDIM.

[skijones]

Should not be a problem with the engine. Just make sure it is warmed up properly before heading out. I am hoping to get out this weekend in OH, water temp is probably in the upper 30's, low 40's and never had a problem before. If you are worried about the oil viscosity, put a block heater on it for about an hour before you start. Can't answer about the hull, but would think as long as no ice is formed, should be ok.

[M3Fan]

I've seen dealers send out promo boats for this kind of weather that were brand new, with no hesitation, so it can't be bad. Heck, the Rockford Freeze for Life in 04 they had a brand new 210 IIRC.

[Onthewater]

as long as you let the oil warm up before putting stress on the engine you will be fine.

[97sport]

below 32 degrees use 20w50 32-50 degrees use30w30, above 50 degrees use 40w40 at least thats what my owner manual states. As for cold water and fiberglass my friend used to ski after breaking up a fine layer of ice. Maybe be crazy but he did it. No adverse affects on his hull.

[cat1168]

Cold water

Thanks for all the info.
The water temp is 32 degrees in CT. I let the engine get to temp before going any where, Thats cold water going into a hot engine, I was just wondering.
Thanks again