Cockpit heater details with a Merc 496

[Titaniumboy]

Does anyone have a cockpit heater installed with the 496 Mag MPI engine that has closed cooling?

I am looking for pictures of where Cobalt tied the heater hoses into the closed cooling system. Does the heater use just the existing water pressure from the closed cooling system to circulate hot coolant, or is there a water pump to move the hot coolant to the heater core?

Where is the heater core located on a 240 or similar model? How hard would it be to install the heater core in the same place that the factory used? Pictures would be great if you have them.

[AsLan7]

Does the heater use just the existing water pressure from the closed cooling system to circulate hot coolant, or is there a water pump to move the hot coolant to the heater core?

Yes to existing water pressure.
....And a circulating fan controlled by a switch at the helm to circulate the air.

Ours is located under the aft starboard bench seat.


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Inkedheater hoses.jpg

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heater core.JPG

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[Titaniumboy]

Thanks AsLan7 for the pictures.

Does your 496 HO have closed cooling? I’m really interested in seeing where the two heater core hoses connect into the engine.

[AsLan7]

Thanks AsLan7 for the pictures.

Does your 496 HO have closed cooling? I’m really interested in seeing where the two heater core hoses connect into the engine.

It does.
It’s also why you don’t have to winterize the cockpit heater.

[Titaniumboy]

What is this “winterize” you speak of? My boat has never been winterized even one time in 15 years. We have even had the boat out on the water in December and January before.

Our boat did not come with the cockpit heating from the factory. I have bought a Heater Craft kit and am working on the installation details. I am good on the electrical side, but the Heater Craft instructions are too vague for me to be comfortable on the plumbing to the engine closed cooling system.

[AsLan7]

What is this “winterize” you speak of? My boat has never been winterized even one time in 15 years. We have even had the boat out on the water in December and January before.

Our boat did not come with the cockpit heating from the factory. I have bought a Heater Craft kit and am working on the installation details. I am good on the electrical side, but the Heater Craft instructions are too vague for me to be comfortable on the plumbing to the engine closed cooling system.

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I'm jealous of the no winterizing once in the last 15 years.

Sorry I don't have a pic of the hose entering the engine block. I'll try to take one in the near future.

[Titaniumboy]

Thanks AsLan for the help. That would be great if you could take some pics for me.

Does your heater put out much heat at idle speeds or does it require the engine to be running faster?

[AsLan7]

Thanks AsLan for the help. That would be great if you could take some pics for me.

Does your heater put out much heat at idle speeds or does it require the engine to be running faster?

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If the engine is warmed up you can use it while the engine is off and it still puts out heat. Honestly though we mostly use it while underway on colder days in the Fall to warm our feet or the cabin.

[AsLan7]

Thanks AsLan for the help. That would be great if you could take some pics for me.

Does your heater put out much heat at idle speeds or does it require the engine to be running faster?

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Hope these help TB…
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[Titaniumboy]

Those pictures are perfect! Thank you very much.