Need For Bilge Blowers?

[davidh]

Hi

Had my Prestige 32 out for around 3 hours yesterday and generally cruised at say 8 knots. Engines are Kamd43P.
Water temperatiure on the dashboard seems OK. Boat is performing fine.
The temperature in the engine room reached a high of 41 Degrees Centagrade. I have a temperature probe in this area for keeping an eye on low temperatures in the wintertime. The temperature in this area remained quite high for several hours after stopping the engines.
I boat in Ireland and our temperatures are very moderate.
Is this level of engine room temperature normal? Do I need to consider bilge blowers?
I have always noticed that the sealed water system on both engines tends to expel some coolant if the level is filled to the upper mark. At the lower mark this level is retained constantly. A marine engineer told me that all engines tend to find their own level for coolant? My impellers are quite new and as previously indicated the temperature on the dash board for both engines is circa 85-90 degrees which I understand is fine.
One other comment worth mentioning is that the raw water exhaust from both engines at the stern is not constant i.e. the water is forced out at regular intervals and then there is a short delay and then another release of water. This pattern is exactly the same on both engines and is constant and predictable. I noticed from another boat of a different make has a constant flow of water from the exhaust.
I would appreciate any valuable comments/opinions.

Many Thanks

David H

[napoleon]

Engine room temperatures around 40 are quite normal. Bear in mind that the engines are running at say 90 and the radiated heat has to find it's own way
out through the side vents.

Bilge blowers are normally best used for petrol engines to clear the bilges of fumes before starting the engines. Normally no need for diesels.

The coolant level will nearly always expel a small surplus and settle at the lower end of the header tank mark. This is normal and enables the liquid level to be maintained at that which is suitable for the particular engine. When the marks are calibrated at the time of engine design the coolant capacity is based on theoretical considerations and will settle when in use. The engines are designed to run in ambient temperatures ranging from sub zero to tropical so there is always some variation.

Your running temperatures are fine.

Your intermittant water discharge is due to the type of silencer fitted. If it is a water-trap type such as the Vetus then the internal chambers will fill with raw water and then be blown out by exhaust gas pressure as it builds up. This is perfectly normal for this type of silencer. (Mine are the same).

Regards,

Napoleon

[davidh]

Napolean

Many thanks for your prompt reply and expert advice.
I am now reassured that all is well and normal.

We are heading away next month for a few weeks and I just wanted to feel comfortable with the situation.

I appreciate your help.

Many Thanks

David H