Freshwater rinse system for seawater exhaust

[freespirit]

After spending a small fortune at the boatyard to replace my exhaust elbow and other associated engine issues that had either gone unnoticed or were caused by the broken elbow and water incursion, have now installed a freshwater rinse system to flush the exhaust. Thought others might benefit from my experience.
2013-09-15_09-45-01_224.jpg
freshwater rinse system.jpg

[mimoza]

An excellent idea.
I heard of someone else who did this and connected the fresh water input directly and permanently to the pressurized water system, with a valve as shown. I would do this before going to full time salt water, but at present am moored in a river estuary. The top several feet of the water column is fresh, so this project is a little ways down on the list.

[freespirit]

We thought about plumbing into the aft water tank, but then thought that might cause other issues. Like if you forgot to change the valve over, you could drain your whole water tank. Seemed simpler just to plumb in before the strainer. Also flushes the strainer out that way, probably not a bad thing. Could then also use the hose to winterize the engine, if in a climate where that was needed.

[mimoza]

Strainer flush and winterization are both excellent features.
Thanks.

[jonneely]

Doing this...