Zebra Mussels in cooling system

[Bucks1]

2.6 l V-6 overheats at high speed. New impeller, and still overheating. While checking t-stats, notice clogged with zebra mussels. Engine still is overheating, so I can I clear out these devils from the entire cooling system?

[rolmops]

So you are on Iboats too.

Here comes again.

Zebra mussels love to attach themselves to the intakes on your lower unit.they will grow so thick that they will actually cover the intakes on the outside and the inside.

they do not usually go up to the engine block because most of the time(when you don't run the engine) there is no water there.

Just take a piece of wire and clean out the intakes and the tubing going up to the engine.

It is important to raise your lower unit out of the water when you don't use the boat.The best way to prevent and also kill the zebra mussels is by letting them dry out.

[Bucks1]

Thanks for the reply. The boat sits in Oak Orchard creek with the lower unit submerged for weeks between trips. Now I know why many have their outboards lifted out of the water.

[daker1979]

Thanks for the reply. The boat sits in Oak Orchard creek with the lower unit submerged for weeks between trips. Now I know why many have their outboards lifted out of the water.

You need to run your motor to operating temperature about once per week...this should keep your water system free of zebra's

[bbolger]

Very interesting! we have had no zebras since we moved the boat to the Oak. Had lots when in I-Bay.

[rolmops]

Very interesting! we have had no zebras since we moved the boat to the Oak. Had lots when in I-Bay.

They come in 3 year cycles.

But it is also possible that you have something going on there that stops them.

Maybe you should inform someone at the DEC about your experience at the Oak.They may be very interested.