Neutra-Salt Flush Kit

[MTNesters]

I'm thinking about installing this kit from volvopentastore.com on the new Cutwater 30 that gets delivered next week. Anybody tried it? It seems like a reasonable price, considering.
Neutra-Salt Engine Flushing Kit - Volvo Penta
Sale Price: $288.00
Part # 21733731

 

[knotflying]

I don't know, for my money I would close the seacock, open the strainer, have someone start the engine and pour salt-away in and then shut her down. Your only expense will be the salt away.

 

[MTNesters]

If I do install the kit as designed, I would likely locate the remote switch inside the aft helm box so I could observe the process with the engine hatch raised, while avoiding long wire runs and drilling visible new holes. Your idea of just pouring the neutralizer is a great alternative until the mod gets accomplished, and very well may be a forever substitute. Thanks!

 

[aroos]

I take delivery of my Cutwater 30 this coming weekend. I intended to flush by closing the seacock, opening the strainer, inserting a fresh water hose hosing and running the engine for a few minutes. Is there a proven advantage to using Salt Away? If so, do you buy it in a concentrated or ready to use liquid form? I'll keep the boat in a dry land storage marina. Whether I use plain water or Salt way, should I flush after every use? Thanks for the advise.

 

[pugtug613]

I asked this question before, but never got an answer. Why flush out the engine in the first place? The only salt water left is in the muffler system, all other areas should be empty thru gravity. Down at the marina, only a few people flush out after each use. Am I missing something? How much are you doing, if your muffler is a fiberglass box with salt water half way up? The elbow should be empty and anything at the top of the engine should be empty. Up to the pump is rubber hoses.
Chester
Pugs Tug
Long Island

 

[knotflying]

Here are my thoughts. Even when salt water washes away there is a salt residue. Would flushing the system with fresh water hurt? I don't think so, so if it is convenient to flush with fresh water, why not. I carry salt away in an insect sprayer and if there is no water available to wash my trailer wheels and brakes I use it. It seems to wash the salt away. So does white vinegar mixed with fresh water. I run my boat in salt water all the time. I rarely have the opportunity to do a fresh water flush. After three years I removed the exhaust elbow and there was some buildup. I cleaned that and I also did a Rydlyme flush of the system. My point is if you can flush your system with fresh water, why not. Is it necessary, probably not. A regular cleaning of your system should be done and how often depends on your boating environment and how often you use your boat. I think using it more is better.

Mike Rizzo

 

[aroos]

Thanks, Mike. As you trailer your boat, why don't you flush it out with fresh water from a hose in your driveway. I used to do that when I trailered a boat powered by outboards. A hose at full pressure should provide a sufficient flow of water for the few minutes one runs the engine to flush it.

Do you think pouring salt away in the strainer is more effective than a fresh water flush? I gather from your earlier comment that when you use salt away you pour it into the strainer and run the engine for only a few seconds, with the sea cock closed and no external water supply, so as to circulate the salt away throughout the exhaust system.

I appreciate your advice.

Albert

 

[knotflying]

Albert,
Although I trailer the boat it is in the water most of the time, so I do not get an opportunity to do a fresh water flush much. On the salt away, I do as you describe, closed seacock and then pour it in as the engine is running.

 

[pugtug613]

Thanks for the reply. I can't argue with that reasoning. It can't hurt to flush out the engine.

 

[Tardis]

I installed this Neutra-Salt Engine Flushing Kit on a previous boat. Easy install, not very expensive, and easy to use (if you remember to push the button for a few seconds before shutting off the engine. Switch from Volvo to "Salt Away" when original bottle was empty as the Volvo stuff is not as available. I figured it was cheep insurance for that boat, but I did not see the need to do it on the Cutwater (yet).