Engine Flushing

boristhebold · 24 June 2010, 08:02

Im just interested in how many people actual flush their engine after each use as advised ? I never seem to see anyone doing it in the marina. What's your best advice on how often you should flush the cooling system with fresh water. I have a flushing attachement on my Yamaha 200Hp two stroke.

willfinch36 · 24 June 2010, 08:22

I flush it everytime after use, using "muffs"

zookeeper · 24 June 2010, 10:12

i flush mine through after every trip too, good practice. Not sure if boats moored in marinas do the same, cant say i have ever witnessed it either

Erin · 24 June 2010, 12:16

I would if I could, but a my beach mooring is a little out of reach of the nearest tap and hose.

bazza · 24 June 2010, 13:42

I flush mine every time but how long should it run for?

DJL · 24 June 2010, 13:42

I used to flush the engine on my last RIB after each trip.

Now I keep the RIB on a drystack I only do it a couple of times a year - although it does get used more regularly

jyasaki · 24 June 2010, 14:29

Personally, after each weekend of use. The motor gets about 3 or 4 minutes on the hose (through the flushing port) while I re-unite with the dog (and make sure she's in the house instead of escaping through the gate.)

jky

captnjack · 24 June 2010, 16:50

every time
if I'm using the flushing port I got for 10minutes minimum
if I'm dropping it in the lake (I just leave it on the trailer) I can actually run it up to temp and then might not go so long.

sarahscottiedog · 24 June 2010, 17:27

Every time it gets used get 4-6 mins on a set of muff. Keep tasting the water till warm & not salty !

Bam Bam · 24 June 2010, 17:36

Every time, either at the slip if there is a tap or the very next day once back home. When salt water is left in the cooling system it forms crystals when it evaporates (boat out of water) leaving hard salt residue in the system that can lead to eventual blockage or impellor failure. If you only flush once in a while its better than not at all. Look after your engine and it will look after you.

Ribtecer · 24 June 2010, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahscottiedog

Every time it gets used get 4-6 mins on a set of muff. Keep tasting the water till warm & not salty !

I do the taste test, I leave the engine running while I wash the boat with soapy water, I use that wax stuff for cars, then when I need the hose pipe I stop the engine and rinse off. Normally about 10 mins.

My brother stacks his rib but still uses earphones to run the engine with it still in the water - better than nothing, I have heard of people running their engine in sail bags full of freshwater whilst still in the drink, although obviously not in gear!!!

Mollers · 24 June 2010, 18:21

Flushing is good, but do not fear guys, If you should forget to flush one day, your O/B wont dissolve overnight.

O/Bs and outdrives live on moorings and in marinas for months with little adverse effect when regularly used.

bradosh · 24 June 2010, 20:53

i always flush the engine with muffs after every use. for about 4mins
its a good habbit to have onboard.

ajg74 · 25 June 2010, 12:26

Apart from last week when she was moored all week in the Tamar while in Cornwall for the week, we always flush the engine for 10 mins with the muffs, either at the slip if there is a tap or as soon as we get home.

jas1500 · 25 June 2010, 12:31

I didn't flush mine at all last season but it sounded ok on the muffs when I started it last week.

TUFTY · 25 June 2010, 13:39

I flush mine after every use with muffs

I run for about 5 mins then disconnect the fuel and allow to
run out of fuel and stop. is this OK?

Cheers

Paul

Nos4r2 · 25 June 2010, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by TUFTY

I flush mine after every use with muffs

I run for about 5 mins then disconnect the fuel and allow to
run out of fuel and stop. is this OK?

Cheers

Paul

Yeah, same as I do. It usually takes mine 5 minutes to run out of fuel (I disconnect it at the tank end) plus 5 mins flushing

neilda · 25 June 2010, 14:22

Is starving an engine of fuel a good thing?

I really don't know with marine engines, but with some of the cars I've owned, it's not a good thing. I would add that I'm not a technical soul!

jyasaki · 25 June 2010, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilda

Is starving an engine of fuel a good thing?

I really don't know with marine engines, but with some of the cars I've owned, it's not a good thing. I would add that I'm not a technical soul!

Not on some injected cars and trucks (some diesels are especially bad for this): running the fuel system dry means repriming the system, which as I recall, is not that easy to do.

I haven't heard of this on boats, though, and I know that my injected F115 will refire quickly after being run out of gas (but don't ask how or where...)

jky

longjohn · 25 June 2010, 22:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Every time, either at the slip if there is a tap or the very next day once back home. When salt water is left in the cooling system it forms crystals when it evaporates (boat out of water) leaving hard salt residue in the system that can lead to eventual blockage or impellor failure. If you only flush once in a while its better than not at all. Look after your engine and it will look after you.

As you say its when the crystals form that there can be problems - I've been told by those that are supposed to know, that its only necessary if the motor is not to be used within a week of last use. If its used regularly only really necessary at the end of the season.

I do however rinse mine thro' the flushing port after almost every use - sometimes I don't if I'm know I'm using the motor the next day.