Intercooler accessibility. MS 350/390

[sunchaser]

[/QUOTE] The danger with the cooler is the dissimilar metals. You have corrosion in-between the cooler and the housing. That's why you cannot get them apart. The problem is the corrosion at the seal between the air and the seawater side. If you do not take them apart and re seal you will get water on the air side and destroy your engine.[/QUOTE]

Correct.

Virtually all aftercoolers are built with dissimilar metals. The design and build specs for these marine specific units include a use criteria that assumes a periodic tear down and servicing. The reason chemical cleaning in place isn't necessarily the best choice is that the chemicals used often exacerbate the corrosion issues, do nothing for the air side and ignores the need to change the seals..

As Greg points out, Tony Athens has many articles covering the reasons for removing the ACs for periodic cleaning and pressure checks.

[Greg QS]

Originally Posted by Comodave

I just had my mechanic put in new raw water pumps on my 6CTAs. The port one is really tough. Formula put a small access hatch from the aft cabin but it was tiny. I cut the bulkhead open for a much larger hatch and the mechanic was able to get to the pump and change it. I went with a new Seaboard Marine SMX pump to replace the OEM Sherwood crappy pump.

I did the same upgrade on my previous boat. Never had to touch the pump again. 7 years, except for the impellers of course.

I have sold that boat last spring. I have some extra impellers around if any one is interested.