Hi,
I know that this must have been covered before but all the searches I
do seem to concentrate on wintering marine diesels in climates with a
harsh, sub-zero winter. I really should know the answer after cruising
for a while but this is only the second time the boat has been left.
We have lived aboard permanently for 14 years now.

I was about to check the water level in my 7 year old diesel engine
when the cap and the metal surrounding it just lifted off in my hand -
no effort required as the whole thing was just sitting there. The
short vertical tube that holds the cap had neatly parted with the base

It is mounted on top of my aluminium heat exchanger and must have
corroded away nicely whilst I was absent for 10 months. Fortunately I
do not have to remove the entire heat exchanger which is also a water
jacket covering the exhaust manifold, just a 4 inch square held on by
4 bolts.

Before I left, I ensured that the water had been topped up and assumed
that the coolant additive I had added 5 months before was still there.

Could someone please advise as to how one should leave an engine
sitting there in a warm climate. I had thought that draining the
engine of coolant water would allow corrosion to set in and that the
coolant itself was a rust inhibitant.

I was asked for advice the other day by another cruiser who is about
to leave his boat here in Trinidad.

Thanks and cheers
Peter Hendra