flushing the motor
Submitted by dakka on Tue, 2011-12-27 21:54
howdy all
just wondering what most people do, if u went fishing tonight and were going to go out again tomorrow in your boat, do you flush the outboard when you get home at night or do leave it to you get back tomoz.
cheers
darryl
____________________________________________________________________________
"If we all fish for the future now there will be fish in the future"
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Nope. I wouldn't worry about
Nope. I wouldn't worry about it.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
grantarctic1
Posts: 2546
Date Joined: 03/03/11
+1
Yeah mate , don't worry untill you get home. Then a good flush and wash.
People take boats on long trips all the time and cant flush the motor , untill they can . ( but still flush every chance you get )
aalfred
Posts: 669
Date Joined: 13/06/09
For me there is no question i
For me there is no question i would always flush. I think its just not worth the risk.
strike_zone
Posts: 403
Date Joined: 09/09/10
you dont need to
you could go away for a month and not need to flush your motor if your using it every other day i really cant believe how paraniod some people get over it your motor will be fine
smash
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 01/12/10
Ditto
Its not as though something "may break" if not done once unless it was on its last legs anyhow.
grayzeee
Posts: 2283
Date Joined: 09/07/09
same as aalfredit won't be
same as aalfred
it won't be the end of the world if you don't , but if you can , why not.
at service time , I always get the comments how clean the waterways are in my engine.
If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
How about in the north where
How about in the north where the calcium is worse than the salt?
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
aalfred
Posts: 669
Date Joined: 13/06/09
That is a good question. I am
That is a good question. I am gonna take my boat to exxy in feb is the calcium bad there as well?
Billcollector
Posts: 2080
Date Joined: 16/05/09
I thought Broomes water with
I thought Broomes water with it's high silica content was bad but after going to Exmouth and seeing the stains it left on my boat after Gamex the water there is crap.
Swan River Fisher
Posts: 877
Date Joined: 03/05/11
try the swan river new boat
try the swan river new boat was in there for 2 days went in white came out yellow. and even worse i had to swim 100m to and from shore to get on and off it!
i'd flush the motor every time after use but a few days without fresh water won't hurt
fishy fingers
Posts: 1719
Date Joined: 28/04/07
so long as it stays wet
if it stays wet inside then it's fine. I remember peter webster in an article in f&B regarding this and he said some times their motors dont get flushed for weeks on end even if they get pulled out every day, when they start to dry out is when the damage occurs, so over night wont hurt it.
Josh
Posts: 283
Date Joined: 14/09/10
I got a hose connector for
I got a hose connector for my etec, so we just plug the hose into where the water comes out when its running, and the water goes backwards through the system, real easy, dont need to run the outboard, real easy and only takes 5 min, how much is it worth if it gets all clogged up?
Id prefer to spend 5 min than to put it at risk, just my opinion, but im lucky as I have it easy.
strike_zone
Posts: 403
Date Joined: 09/09/10
sorry to be the bearer of bad news
but that is how the americans flush there motors after running on fresh water lakes it doesnt flush your whole system you actually need to flush your motor on muffs with your engine running so your thermostat opens and allows your whole motor to be flushed out i would never use that system here in our salt water enviroment
Billcollector
Posts: 2080
Date Joined: 16/05/09
Have always flushed my motor
Have always flushed my motor (250 yami ) using the hose connection and not via muffs. The factory trained technician I use has no problem with it and after 1000hrs and regular services the motor is like new. Back on topic I see no problem leaving a motor overnight without flushing.
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
nice to see i'm not the only
nice to see i'm not the only one who does this, tried the muffs on my 200 yamaha and all i got was a overtemp alarm after 3 mins, and yes i had them on correctly and water was flowing etc etc, i'm back to the hose connection now.
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
CCC
Posts: 539
Date Joined: 29/03/10
Agree, not enough water
Agree, not enough water pressure in hedland to use muffs on my 150 yamaha
smiley
Posts: 118
Date Joined: 23/11/10
flushing yamahas
how do you go about flushing yamahas with the two intakes strike zone
strike_zone
Posts: 403
Date Joined: 09/09/10
with the right type of flushers
ive only worked in the marine industry for the last 8 yrs so i probably dont know as much as some of the experts on here seems to be a lot of them
Billcollector
Posts: 2080
Date Joined: 16/05/09
So your evidently the only
So your evidently the only person too listen too..... Sorry mate but I 've used the same person that set up the motor on my boat and has serviced it for the last three and a half years with absolutely no problems. I know who I will listen to. YOU'D BE A SALESMAN HEY?
Lastchance
Posts: 1273
Date Joined: 02/02/09
I think he definaely needs a
I think he definaely needs a hug.
Billcollector
Posts: 2080
Date Joined: 16/05/09
Might have to slip some muffs
Might have to slip some muffs over his ears first
strike_zone
Posts: 403
Date Joined: 09/09/10
smartarse
why dont you ask your so called expert mechanic to tell you the real story with how a motor cooling system works i really dont give a flying fuck how you do yours in the end iwas just giving some very accurate advise but there are so many tossers like you on here that seem to think they know better sorry mate but you are very WRONG
Billcollector
Posts: 2080
Date Joined: 16/05/09
You gave advice as did others
You gave advice as did others from their experience. If you have a problem with that don,t have a go at others so called expert opinions. your words.... READ MY POSTS AGAIN AND DO WHAT YOU WANT WITH YOUR OPINION. I REALLY DON'T GIVE A F@#K. Go and get a BIG hug mate you sound like you need one
Lastchance
Posts: 1273
Date Joined: 02/02/09
It would appear that it has
It would appear that it has progressed into a 'Huggle'. (Cross between a hug and a cuddle).
Anyways, Billcollector and I have the same motor (250 4st Yammy) and I was initially sceptical in regards to the flushing connection point instead of running the motor. However, after removing the head anodes, I ran some water through the connection point in question and there was a good flow of water there.
Im not a marine mechanic, but when the factory service manual instructs that the correct method of flushing a motor after salt water use is either via dual feeder muffs or the connection point on the starboard side of the engine, I would think that this would not adversly affect the life of the engine.
Ive done over 1100 hours in 3 years on the old girl (mostly at trolling speed going in circles as Ive passed out at the wheel from drinking too many Bush Chooks) and so far its had no corrosion issues.
Now Ive said that, it'll probably shit itself the next time I use it.
Go the Eagles!
Billcollector
Posts: 2080
Date Joined: 16/05/09
Funny that you pass out at
Funny that you pass out at the wheel while trolling exactly like we do. Thank god for the autopilot. Mine won't shit itself for the next twelve months as its up on blocks while I travel... Now did I do the right thing as far as storing the boat go. Any opinions???
Oh I forgot to mention that I gave it a BIG HUG as I wrapped it up
smash
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 01/12/10
strike zone even if the
strike zone even if the thermostat was in the way Im sure you are aware that they have a feeder hole to let some water through, otherwise the cooling passages would be dry until it got to temp. But I was under the impression that the flushing connection bypasses thermo on the yam?
troy fuller
Posts: 411
Date Joined: 30/08/10
We have a etec and it never
We have a etec and it never gets flushed with the engine running, as bill said; been told it's not needed.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
I flush every time I possibly
I flush every time I possibly can and run the motor for ast least 10 min on the muffs.
You pay $7+ for using the ramps and water facilities!
I run the engine and after a time "taste the water" for being NOT salty.
yourkidding
Posts: 26
Date Joined: 19/12/10
lol you 'taste the water'???
lol you 'taste the water'??? mate that is dedication!! i love it hahaha
fishy fingers
Posts: 1719
Date Joined: 28/04/07
I taste it too
but you dont drink it!
Lamby
Posts: 3145
Date Joined: 04/08/09
+ 3
+ 3
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
When you flush your motor you
When you flush your motor you also run dry the fuel bowl if you are not planning on using it for a while.
The oil and fuel "Gum up" /blocking the injectors/carburation metering devices, making it to run very badly when you use it again.
Like others say you "Check it for salt content" after that it gets cleaned and doused in INOX!
Do not use any other spray as inox does not attack rubber and plastics of wirring.
My main boat engine is from 1978 and still going strong.
the 2007 tohatsu and 3 other mercuty outboards get the same "treatment".
snappermiles
Posts: 2100
Date Joined: 05/11/10
who told you to run the fuel out glastro
as i was told it is a bad thing to do as your seals will dry out and crack??
ALL FISHERMEN ARE LIARS EXCEPT YOU AND ME! AND IM NOT SO SURE ABOUT YOU!
smash
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 01/12/10
depends
on a carby motor the fuel bowl can evaporate but itd be a foolish move to run your efi outboard dry everytime you use it. Your EFI outboard is far better left fuel of fuel in running condition.
Also though-your seals, are only exposed to fuel on one side. If snappermiles theory was correct theyd be f-ed from the outside in regardless.
dodgy
Posts: 4578
Date Joined: 01/02/10
What's the best for the
What's the best for the motor? Regular use beats flushing every time. Have a look at all the pro crabber and water taxi boats with 5000+ hours and think how often they get flushed....
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
sandbar
Posts: 704
Date Joined: 25/10/09
Yeah overnight or couple of
Yeah overnight or couple of days fine. You only flush the salt out to stop errosion.
If you were in fresh water/lake there is no need to flush.
Andy_b
Posts: 633
Date Joined: 19/10/11
i was in exmouth in jan and
i was in exmouth in jan and did not flush the motor for to 2 weeks, still works a treat did not harm it at all. but i give it a 20 min flush when i got home after the trip
stevebw23
Posts: 155
Date Joined: 12/11/11
i dont think i'd stress
i dont think i'd stress about flushing if it was just a day or two between runs.
as an etec owner i was also told by my mechanic i only need to flush using the water spout thingo out the back of the motor (without the motor running). i'm still sceptical though because at the end of the day, if your motor shits itself from not being flushed properly, it's more $$$ in the mechanics pocket. Iv'e had trouble getting earmuffs to work properly. iv'e tried about 3 different sets and none of them seem to seal that well. so I'm thinking next time i'll just fill up a garbage bin with fresh water and trim the motor down into that and run it. does anyone know if this would be a good way to flush?
Symes Plumbing & Gas. No job too small, servicing all northern suburbs
smash
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 01/12/10
thats probably the best way.
thats probably the best way.
But dont use a garbage bin, you can get a collapsable bin thats like a crabnet but with canvas instead of mesh.
Swan River Fisher
Posts: 877
Date Joined: 03/05/11
yep a mates got a 250 and it
yep a mates got a 250 and it doesn't run on muffs so he fills up a 44 drum and runs it in that
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15644
Date Joined: 29/11/05
never
Never flushed my motor since being in Exmouth, the calcium is so bad it blocks up everything. (told this from several local mechanics) Never had an engine drama (in my boats) (touch wood)
As for some of the dribble above, sigh, cmon fellas....
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Billcollector
Posts: 2080
Date Joined: 16/05/09
C'MON Adam you fish every day
C'MON Adam you fish every day so no need to flush the motor. Totally agree with your water quality in exxie it sucks
davidbland50
Posts: 392
Date Joined: 24/07/11
Flushing is best
I agree with Strikezone. Running the engine with muffs afterwards and running it until the thermostat opens, is obviously the best way to make sure you get rid of all salt from the cooling system. I have been a mechanic for thirty years and trained as a marine technician in our illustrious Navy. If you want to leave salt in a metal chamber, for any length of time, you always run the risk of corrosion setting in. Once it is there, every time you leave it longer than you have to, it will corrode further. your so called service mechanic is not worried if your cooling system corrodes, he will be happy to fix it for you. At a Price!
Wherever you go, there you are
strike_zone
Posts: 403
Date Joined: 09/09/10
i rest my case
thanks mate im glad someone can see the point i was trying to make
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
wash when home
first answer to the question , was that when iam away i dont bother flushing the motor as i go out most days and dont think its necessary to flush out , next day the motor wiill get a good run and any salt build up will flush out, aso in the north area most caravan sites dont have large lakes of spare water so thats another point to keep in mind, as for the hose etc , i use twin sided muffs ( hose to each side cup ) which ensures plenty of water getting to the ater intake , might be worth a look Brucesta
as for the pipe flush , both of the techs i have used have said the pipe connection is good enough but they rasie the concern that you ony push water through the top of the motor and flow water through the inlet tubes , where as the muffs put wter through to the water pump and cleans the housing and forces water through the rest of the motor as its designed to work and operate , especially when it gets up to temp, most manuals also indicate when using muffs the motor should only be run at idle to flush
IMO from what i have heard
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
I've got a set of those kick
I've got a set of those kick arse muffs with the twin outlets Mike, i was given them by my mechanic after he asked me how i did my yammy and informed him but he needed to run it. i'll be having another go, i had a good seal and a good flow of water. I have googled it and it seems either way will do and with 1100hrs on lastchance's slow rig (get a 300hp you girls blouse, you know you want to) and that thing still kicks over first go i've got a long way to go i feel to see any issues (only 140hrs so far)
the only thing i got from my research is don't start it on the starboard flush point, and like you Mike i have heard just run it in idle if you do. Anyone else have intreresting methods, suzuki owners, honda owners? my old Etec was via a flush point too with no running. experiment coming up tomorrow.
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
smash
Posts: 434
Date Joined: 01/12/10
If aluminium was so prone to
If aluminium was so prone to rotting away in saltwater thered be no ally crayboats left.
The number one killer of aluminium and its alloys in salt water is from current leakage, if its left in salt water.
glastronomic
Posts: 892
Date Joined: 16/02/11
Sadly there is another
Sadly there is another "Corrosion killer" build in your aluminium engine.
Dissimilar metals have a different resistance to current flow and act like a sacrificial anode, corroding away.
Stainless Steel and aluminium are very dissimilar and "Hate" each other.
Salt water is in reality an acid just like in your battery.
So all elements are there to start and keep the corrosion cycle happening.
Another action to prolong your engine is to completely disconnect your batteries giving them no pathway to your engine positive and neutral leads off.
For that there are some nifty Swedish made OJOP battery clamp connections available that simply clip on and off in an instant.
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
I dont use the muffs, just
I dont use the muffs, just stick the hose in the "flushing port" on my 200 suzi. This is done at the wash bay at the ramp and the engine is still hot. After about 15 seconds you notice an increase in water flow at the telltale as the thermostat closes (I think)
Anyone heard about clearing calcium build up by flushing a bit of vinegar through the muffs??