Salt on Engine block

[NOLA_sailing]

While moving my boat yesterday I discovered that the raw water exhaust hose was leaking from its connection to the anti-siphon valve causing a fair amount of brackish water to spray/drip on my engine and surrounding components. My question is whether I should attempt to rinse the brackish water off to avoid corrosion or would I just be doing more harm than good? Thanks!

[redsky49]

409 followed by some Corrosion Block. Don't think I would try to rinse with fresh water.

[Tayana42]

Pay particular attention to any electrical connections or components that may be within the drip or spray area. Even a little salt water can cause problems there.


S/V B'Shert

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by redsky49

... Don't think I would try to rinse with fresh water.

Why not water (excepting alternator/starter)?

[Cheechako]

I would rinse with fresh water before anything. Obviously don't flood the alternator or starter.

[NOLA_sailing]

Thank you everybody for the input.

Originally Posted by Tayana42

Pay particular attention to any electrical connections or components that may be within the drip or spray area. Even a little salt water can cause problems there.


S/V B'Shert

There is a bundle of wires that runs right below the galley cabinet where water was dripping down. Tried my best to keep it clear but I'm sure it was hit by a good bit of water before I discovered the leak. I'm thinking I could just give these a good "sponge" bath and let dry thoroughly?

[NOLA_sailing]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Why not water (excepting alternator/starter)?

Originally Posted by Cheechako

I would rinse with fresh water before anything. Obviously don't flood the alternator or starter.

Luckily, most of the exposure was in the aft part of the engine compartment and mostly got on the exhaust mixing box, drive shaft, heat exchanger, etc. front of engine seemed to only receive a light spray at best.

[exMaggieDrum]

Consider using Salt-away to rinse everything. It is designed to get rid of the salt much better than just fresh water. You should rinse everything in any case and then dry as best you can. Any wiring that has been exposed to saltwater will forever be somewhat suspect so you should inspect it regularly, especially at the terminals.

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by exMaggieDrum

Consider using Salt-away to rinse everything. It is designed to get rid of the salt much better than just fresh water. ...

Interesting product - no odor, no chemicals, blue dye, 70-90% water and some non-Hazardous coupling and surface active agents?

I would mix 30% vinegar to water to neutralize the salt and pour on the engine, as mentioned above being careful to avoid the electrical components. Then lightly spray WD 40 or similar.

[gonesail]

get the salt off the metal. if you don't it will be rust soon. the electrical components will corrode and fail as well.

[NOLA_sailing]

Thank you, everyone. My first instinct was to get to cleaning but wanted to make sure I do it in a way that doesn't do more harm.

I'm also glad that it was my Dad who discovered the leaking hose under the galley sink and not my wife!

[MarkSF]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

Interesting product - no odor, no chemicals, blue dye, 70-90% water and some non-Hazardous coupling and surface active agents?

I would mix 30% vinegar to water to neutralize the salt and pour on the engine, as mentioned above being careful to avoid the electrical components. Then lightly spray WD 40 or similar.

Sorry, last time I checked, water was a chemical. So it's chemical-free apart from the 90% water? The blue dye, the coupling (whatever that is), and the surfactants, are also chemicals......so apart from the water, the dye, the coupling (sic), and the surfactants, it's chemical-free. Good to know.

[Michael Barnett]

I would use Vinegar, then rinse with tap water. The vinegar is acidic and will totally dissolve the salt accumulated. 50/50 solution with tap water will work just fine, then straight tap water and dry.

[Glenn.Brooks]

I've washed my engine down many times over the years with fresh water from a hose at the dock. Doesn't hurt anything . Of course I put a plastic bag over the air intake and don't hose off the alternator.

Once you clean off the block, start the engine and run for a while - to bring the engine up to operating temperature- the heat dries off the surfaces and evaporates any stray pockets of fresh water that might lurk around.


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[Dave852]

Originally Posted by Glenn.Brooks

I've washed my engine down many times over the years with fresh water from a hose at the dock. Doesn't hurt anything . Of course I put a plastic bag over the air intake and don't hose off the alternator.

Once you clean off the block, start the engine and run for a while - to bring the engine up to operating temperature- the heat dries off the surfaces and evaporates any stray pockets of fresh water that might lurk around.


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I rinse mine with fresh water and then use a leaf blower to give it a blow dry.


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