Raw Water Cooled Conversion Prep

[Sir Rondo Normal]

Now that my boat is at its permanent mooring, the engine won't need to be started until probably late May, giving me 3 to 4 months to do the planned conversion to a fresh water cooled system on my Volvo MD17C.
I was thinking that it would be a good idea to leave the engine sit until then with something other than sea water in the cooling system.
What would be best? Just a diesel engine antifreeze/coolant, straight vinegar or some other mild acidic solution that won't destroy my impeller or other non-metal parts?

Tks,

Ron

[The Vortex]

My md-11 has been soaking in a strong solution of the product "Salt-Away" at the machine shop and the parts look like new. How complicated is the conversion? I am reviving my badly salted up Volvo and I am adding a freshwater flusher plumbed to my domestic water system.

[Sir Rondo Normal]

Hi Vortex. I'll have to look into Salt-Away. I've never heard of it before. I asked a mechanic at Pender Harbour Diesel what he thought I should use and he just recommended a diesel anti-freeze, so that's what is in there now. I think something that would actually break down and dissolve the salt deposits and corrosion would be better than just anti-freeze.
I haven't done a conversion, my self... yet but I will one day. It isn't very complicated but is expensive. Still, less expensive that replacing a plugged up block and manifold, or entire engine. Basically, you run sea water into a heat exchanger, which has hot coolant circulating through it from the engine and returns it to the engine. So you need a second pump and a heat exchanger along with various fitting, clamps, mounting brackets and hoses.
I like the idea of the fresh water flusher. Definitely easier and cheaper than a complete conversion.

[delmarrey]

I would flush out the system and soak it with Salt-Away, changing it every couple of weeks.

Here's a flush kit I've built which takes only a few minutes to set up. >>> http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...tml#post887644

[The Vortex]

Thanks yet again, delmarrey. Your link connected me to the hydrolocking risk. The bucket method will suffice.