Ingestion

[ClassicGuy]

This is my first post but not a very happy one. I have a 25 CC and my 8.1 is currently in the shop due to salt water ingestion. I've heard about this problem before but I thought the problem was solved. The engine only has 380hrs on it and I'm debating if I should rebuild or buy a new crusader which I heard is free of problems? I purchased this boat last yr. and the previous owner had to replace a 7.4 due to the same problem. These are such nice boats but they are developing a lousy reputation with this never ending problem.


Larry D.

[jm1159]

Ingestion

I would go with a crusader, at least you know the problem will be eliminated. Have Mac do the installation. Better yet, I would sell it with the crusader and if you can, buy one with a volvo 300 diesel, great package!

[Guest]

Water Ingestion 8.1

Larry,
I have a 2000 25 CC with a 8.1 with 465 hours on it, To this point I have no saltwater ingestion, how did you know you had the saltwater ingestion and is Volvo or Mac standing behind the problem? What was Mac's response to the problem? Also when I received my 8.1 they (volvo) revised the exhaust system twice. Do you have the current exhaust system on your 8.1?


Wayne

[Guest]

Larry I forgot my username

Wayne

[Reel Business]

user name

Larry my username is Reel Business
Wayne

[Tunacious Tom]

Repower W/ Crusader

I can not speak for the 25', but...With Mac's help and guidance I put two Crusader 6.0 engines in my 28' last year. I did the work myself with a lot of help from my friends. The boat moves!!!! I have mercruiser Duo-props but at 3200 RPM the boat exceeds 30+ Kts. I also changed my exhaust system. Mac is one Knowledgable man and provided all of the technical information in easy to understand terms.

The biggest thing that I learned is that Mac and Crusader stand behind their products and they are now an Awsome team!

I recommend that you take the time to talk to Mac. There are a lot of options depending on a lot of variables, money, time, mechanical ability, Etc.

Tom A.

[ClassicGuy]

Ingestion

Salt was found leading into the valves. Compression was low on two cylinders. In any case, when the boat gets fixed it will be up for sale and I will look for something else.

[Split Decision]

I would really like to know what crusader is doing different than all the others. I know they have fresh water cooled manifolds but that should not make any difference. I assume they all start with the same GM motors and then marinize them so what are they doing that the others are not.

They all have salt water running through the heat exchangers and exiting out the back of the risers. Do they change the cam for less valve overlap or are the risers longer so the raw water dumps in the exhaust farther down stream and the exhaust pulse does not suck it back in?

This is not just with Carolina Classic. I have seen posts refering to at least 6 other manufacturers.

I know that they changed exhaust setups on the 28 Albemarle to combat this issue also. This is with the 5.7 mpi.

[jm1159]

Ingestion

As far as I understand, crusader uses a closed cooling system, the manifolds are fully fresh water cooled. With volvo and merc. the manifolds are saltwater cooled. In a volvo or merc, exhaust gases exit the engine into channels of the manifold eventually mixing with saltwater aft of the riser. The valve overlap causes a vacuum effect resulting in droplets of saltwater traveling back into the channels of the manifold where only exhaust gases are suppose to be. The salt water eventually reaches the valves. The water evaporates leaving salt deposits on the valves causing them to stick open or closed which increases the chance of more saltwater ingestion.

Engine damage occurrs when salt works its way into the cylinders. At this point, the crystallized salt can scratch the walls of the cylinders resulting in loss of compression. Simple condensation is common with all engines and is harmless. Condensation does not contain salt and this is why boat used in fresh water environments usually have no reported problems.

This is how in some shape or form I understand it, maybe others can provide more info.

[Guest]

Ingestion

I forgot to add.

The exhaust gases in a crusader have to exit somehow. I'm not to sure about the design but it must be in such a way that this vacuum effect can't happen, or if it is happening, the droplets of saltwater never see the internals.

[Tunacious Tom]

Crusader engines

I am sure that I will not do this subject justice, but here goes...
I think that JM1159 is partially correct. Just the exhaust tips of the risers are salt water cooled on the Crusaders. The design of the risers (down angle) coupled with the modified exhaust system cause the cooling saltwater to fall away or drain much quicker.

Condensation will cause problems with any engine. Mac mentioned a shutdown procedure to me which I have adopted. I run the engines up to 2000 RPM for a period of time (couple of minutes) prior to shutdown. As I understand it, this procedure heats up the engine and blows out the exhaust system. Condensation is caused by temp differential, the temp differential on the crusader engine is at the exhaust tip of the riser and the down angle of the riser prevents the condensation from entering the engine.

Again, I would talk to Mac and get his more knowledgable explanation.

I am a Believer.

Tom A.