Rolling over Detroit's

[madhatter1]

My boat has been sitting unused since January 2nd. The worse wear on pleasure craft engines is non use. We generally use our boat every week or 2 so I believe this keeps internal corrosion wear to a minimum.

Due to work and weather we have had bigger gaps this winter. Ran it at the dock high idle till they warmed up back in December after it sat for a while. Going to run it this week.

Question is rather than run them if I feel they sat too long is it OK to hold down the shutdown button while bumping the starter to roll them over so different cylinders have open exhaust valves? Number one enemy is salt air corrosion to cylinder walls. This way boat is either used once a week or bumped for a quick roll over. Thoughts? What do you guys up north do during the down months?

 

[dar636]

I'll try to get out as much as the admiral will let me, in lieu of that will run at the dock to get all the temps up and happy. I'll also leave the block heaters on, block off the engine room vents and keep cold moist air out of the engine rooms. Rust never sleeps.

 

[Guy Walters]

I just installed these this weekend. I made them out of some packing blankets I had lying around. They do not insulate the vent opening prefect but they do keep the cold air from just falling into the engine room. They were also cheap!
Guy

 

[madhatter1]

My engines stay fairly warm. in FL. Only asking about when the boat sits unused for a while.

 

[Briankinley2004]

I am no mechanic but I think in theory that would work as long as you do it long enough for oil pressure to build up. I know mine take a couple seconds to register on the gauge once the engine cranks.It is probably hard on the starter to keep it engaged for a long period. I have heard, and put to practice, that you should do just what you say after changing oil to make sure it is at the cylinders again. Why not just crank them and let them idle? That reminds me it has been 3 weeks since I cranked mine which is beyond my 2 week standard. These 40 degree days are making me forget about things outside the house.

 

[edward]

Iam sure someone makes a pre-oiler for Detroits.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Iam sure someone makes a pre-oiler for Detroits.

I have seen pre-oilers on a 58 Bertram with 12v71TA's. I like that idea. You always have oil pressure before you crank.

 

[SEVEN]

I’ve done that for the last 6 years but only when it’s been more than 3 weeks between starts. It helps move the oil up and lube everything. I would do it for 3 seconds only. Then release the shut down button and the motors started with no issues.

 

[Bob Quinn]

For us "northerners" I don't know anyone that does anything with most boats other than park until spring. But I could be wrong when it comes to bigger boats. We also don't have the salt issue.

 

[whoover]

I don't have DD's but this is what I do every spring before launching in Lake Ontario. I turn the engine over two complete revolutions with a breaker bar and socket. My Cummins have a stub on the fuel pump for this purpose and setting the timing. I then disconnect the fuel solenoid and crank the engine until I have full oil pressure. Then reconnect everything, hook up the water hose, I'm on the hard, then start them. I let them idle for about 5 minutes while checking for leaks. Works for me but others will have a different approach. I feel that by turning it by hand I will feel it where a starter will power through and could break something.

Walt Hoover