Patent ID: 7806740

Claim:
A marine propulsion device, comprising: an engine; a water jacket disposed in thermal communication with at least one heat producing portion of said engine; a water pump; a water inlet conduit of said water jacket connected in fluid communication with said water pump; a water outlet conduit connected in fluid communication with said water jacket; a temperature responsive valve connected in fluid communication with said water outlet conduit and configured to permit cooling water within said water jacket to flow out of said water outlet conduit when the temperature of said cooling water exceeds a predefined magnitude; an oil sump configured to contain a quantity of oil for recirculation between said oil sump and lubricated surfaces of said engine; and a coolant conduit connected to said water outlet conduit and disposed in thermal communication with said oil sump, whereby said cooling water is directed to flow in thermal communication with said quantity of oil after it passes through said water jacket and reaches a temperature which exceeds said predefined magnitude.