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I run my boat in the saltwater and hear that salt kills the exhaust manifolds and risers over time. What are the signs of a manifold or riser failure? I have a 98 5.7GSi. I always do a freshwater flush after each outing but this only buys me time.

Thanks
Matt

The life of these in saltwater tends to be around 4-5 years. I don't know of any signs to look for other than pulling and inspecting to gauge how much life you have left.

Failure of these could resolve in hydro lock which could cost thousands to repair.

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

I run my boat in salt water also. I now have six years on it and have the original exhaust manifolds and risers. I flush with fresh water on muffs at the house each time.

I would expect to get a couple more years out of my exhaust manifolds and risers.
(volvo 5.7L Gi DP)

I think the typical symptoms of exhausts and risers going are engine overheating --- typically the passsages corrode and restrict flow causing the engine to overheat. As flow is reduced in the risers the temperature of the risers also rises.

This can be detected with a heat gun. I have an inexpensive model that I just used this past weekend to start establishing a base line on my manifold temps. I just used it on the muffs, but want to use it when underway which should give me a better idea of the exhaust temps.

Yes -- internally leaking manifolds can lead to water in a cylinder and big issues. That is the main reason that some people replace manifolds and risers which are used in salt water after about 5-6 years just as preventative maintenance.

Living in Florida my boat is used year round. I intend to just monitor the condition through engine and exhaust temps. I did this successfully with my past boat which I had for over twenty years and went through exhaust manifolds and risers three or so times before I sold the boat.

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop

Dale,

I guess it is all about how you care for them after use. My 03 needed new risers and manifolds after only 4 years . I did have water leak into a cylinder and was lucky in that I was using the boat every day so I found the problem and avoided hydrolocking the engine. Do you inspect yours or just experience in getting that type of lifetime out of them?

Good to see another FL east coast boater on this board. Where do you launch out of?

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Walter

2003 248 Vista - VP 5.0 GXi
2009 Toyota Tundra SR5 5.7L 4x4

We are very diligent about flushing every time we boat. I trailer and have been a serious trailerboater for 25 years. I have towed thousands of miles and been to lots of lakes in Texas -- Oklahoma -- New York -- Connecticut -- Florida. I have taken the boat to Canada and out in to the Gulf of Mexico several times. I have never kept a boat in the water and have little desire to do that.

I keep the boat at my house in Palm Beach Gardens. I specifically moved a bit farther North than needed, so I could boat more in the Stewart area. I also boat in Jupiter -- Palm Beach -- Peanut Island -- and several other places. We sometimes tow to John Pennekamp in the keys. Two weeks ago I was on Biscayne Bay for the first time putting in at Black Point. (not a good day as I had a raw water pump issue and had to get firendly with the local Sea-Tow person)
Even though I really didn't get totally out of the inlet before I knew the problem was serious.

Do you get up into the Palm Beach Area much?

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop