Patent ID: 11352937

Abstract:
A marine drive is for propelling a vessel in body of water. The marine drive has a powerhead, a crankcase on the powerhead, and a cooling system that pumps a first flow of cooling water from the body of water through a powerhead cooling conduit for cooling the powerhead and in parallel pumps a second flow of cooling water from the body of water through a crankcase cooler for cooling the crankcase and lubricant in the crankcase. A valve controls the second flow of the cooling water to the crankcase cooler. The valve is normally positioned in a closed position, which inhibits the second flow of cooling water to the crankcase cooler and thereby reduces condensation of water from the lubricant in the crankcase. The valve is moved into an open position upon operation of the powerhead at or above a threshold speed, which permits the second flow of cooling water to the crankcase cooler and thereby cools the lubricant in the crankcase. Corresponding methods of operating the marine drive and cooling system are provided.