I'm not sure oil or oil and dispersant would be a problem, but I heard a report of tar balls on a beach. Tar sounds like something suitable for plugging a strainer or passages in you heat exchanger.
As far as a fire hazard goes it probably a bigger risk in the open air before it gets sucked up with water. The boats tying to burn the stuff off the surface had limited success. Phil Agur <http://www.catalina27.org/public_pages/profile270.htm> s/v Wing Tip C270 LE #184 MMSI 366901790 From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Planton,Christian Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 1:05 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [IC27A] Oil being sucked into the water intake by a boat in the gulf- What would it do to the engine? As I was watching someone covering the gulf oil spill I thought crossed my mind. The reporter was in a center consul motor boat of some kind but this would apply to all boats- If they are water cooled engines- what is the oil doing to the insides of their cooling systems? Could this create build up? A fire hazard? Effect the ability of the water to cool the engine with so much oil in it? Just a thought! Christian
