Flushing an outboard in a plastic container

[Andy JC]

The last 2 slipways I've used didn't have a tap and unfortunately I don't have running water where my boat is stored. I'm trying so come up with a solution to flushing my engine without running water. I don't have room for a full sized barrel so wondered what the minimum size I would be able to get away with would be. I've considered using one of those plastic storage containers available in hardware stores but am not sure if the amount of water churned up by the exhaust is going to empty the container before the engine's had time to flush (I realise the water level would have to be over the water intake)

Filling the container using buckets wouldn't be too much of a problem as there's a water supply near by, just not near enough to use a hose.

Has anyone tried flushing in a container like this or even one of those flexible buckets?

The engine's a 50hp Mariner 2 stroke

[Locozodiac]

Your engine has a flushing port somewhere, this method cleans internal water passages better than with muffs, or cleaning barrel. Personal what dislike of the barrel method is all that oily poluted water going inside the engine, besides having hot water cooling not good for the engine specially if you like to clean engine for long periods. Keep in mind that thermostat will take it's time to open, so short flushing would not be advised. If flushed using a plastic barrel, engine must be on, never put forward, otherwise forget about all contained water in barrel. Get a big barrel so leg/propeller will fit nicely fill to 3/4. Add more water as level goes a bit down.

When started sibbing, used a big plastic barrel, a faucett was attached at the bottom, a hose was placed on to release and dispose oily water properly to a drainage. The empty container remained awfully oiled, so this method has it's pro's and con's too. To have an idea :

http://www.pbase.com/locozodiac/image/15570019

Happy Boating

[ian parkes]

If the container is big enough to submerge the the motor up to the cav plate then it will do fine . I run my 50 Tohatsu in a small dustbin about 2/3 full and very little water is lost .

The water doesn't get that dirty unless you use the same water a few times and I reckon a tiny amount of oil residue going round the system has to be a plus point .


Oh and you have to put it gear and give the throttle a blip , its impossible to resist and the best way to empty the dustbin before you switch off

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

If the container is big enough to submerge the the motor up to the cav plate then it will do fine . I run my 50 Tohatsu in a small dustbin about 2/3 full and very little water is lost .

The water doesn't get that dirty unless you use the same water a few times and I reckon a tiny amount of oil residue going round the system has to be a plus point .


Oh and you have to put it gear and give the throttle a blip , its impossible to resist and the best way to empty the dustbin before you switch off

Wants to be a bit deeper than that-about 6" above the plate. The impeller is about 3" above the plate on the Mariner 50.

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

The water doesn't get that dirty unless you use the same water a few times and I reckon a tiny amount of oil residue going round the system has to be a plus point .

Oh and you have to put it gear and give the throttle a blip , its impossible to resist and the best way to empty the dustbin before you switch off

Hola Ian

I usually flush a minimum of 10 minutes, but use muffs + flushing adapter combo on a street downhill.

Don't think you are employing that emptying barrel method at home/garage, are you ?

By the way did you managed to get yout beast working perfectly as expected ? Would like to hear about how much trouble was tunning 3 thirsty throats.

Happy Boating.

[Andy JC]

Thanks guys, sounds like it's a possibility then.

Bit of experimenting is needed me thinks...

[ian parkes]

Originally Posted by Locozodiac

Hola Ian

I usually flush a minimum of 10 minutes, but use muffs + flushing adapter combo on a street downhill.

Don't think you are employing that emptying barrel method at home/garage, are you ?

By the way did you managed to get yout beast working perfectly as expected ? Would like to hear about how much trouble was tunning 3 thirsty throats.

Happy Boating.

Yes it washes the garage floor a treat Mate .

I have now got a PDF manual so i can check it out.

Mat are you saying the merc 50 takes water in above the cav plate , never really seen one but i thought they were same as tohatsu .
Surely when its running on the plane the water level is not that high anyway ??

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by ian parkes

Mat are you saying the merc 50 takes water in above the cav plate , never really seen one but i thought they were same as tohatsu .
Surely when its running on the plane the water level is not that high anyway ??

No, but the impeller isn't self priming so you need to have the water high enough to cover the impeller itself. Most engines are like it.

BEsides, it's a good idea to get fresh water right up the inside of the leg to the same point the salt water gets to when the boat is stationary.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Andy JC

Has anyone tried flushing in a container like this or even one of those flexible buckets?

Try a bucket or water carrier with a length of hose going to the flushing port, so long as you get the container at a good height it will flush through nicely.

We had to come up with various ways to flush engines before the hose ban was lifted and for engines with ports this is a good one.

[Mercury]

Originally Posted by Andy JC

The last 2 slipways I've used didn't have a tap and unfortunately I don't have running water where my boat is stored. I'm trying so come up with a solution to flushing my engine without running water. I don't have room for a full sized barrel so wondered what the minimum size I would be able to get away with would be. I've considered using one of those plastic storage containers available in hardware stores but am not sure if the amount of water churned up by the exhaust is going to empty the container before the engine's had time to flush (I realise the water level would have to be over the water intake)

Filling the container using buckets wouldn't be too much of a problem as there's a water supply near by, just not near enough to use a hose.

Has anyone tried flushing in a container like this or even one of those flexible buckets?

The engine's a 50hp Mariner 2 stroke

If you take the prop off it wont empty the container when you put it in gear.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Mercury

If you take the prop off it wont empty the container when you put it in gear.

And the prop will come off when you want it to...

Don't know how many people have had problems removing a prop after a few years ("I didn't know you were supposed to grease it up every so often...")

jky

[Andy JC]

Originally Posted by Mercury

If you take the prop off it wont empty the container when you put it in gear.

Although it sound like geat fun I had no intentions of putting it in gear, especially as the sides of the container will be within inches

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

And the prop will come off when you want it to...

Don't know how many people have had problems removing a prop after a few years ("I didn't know you were supposed to grease it up every so often...")

jky

You should grease the prop shaft every time your prop is down, if not down so often, at least once each six months, use propper water grease to avoid siezing up on shaft.

That I know you have 3 flushing methods: Muffs, Barrel, Adapter, but there is a new interesting fourth method that leaves far away previous 3 methods....check

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb3tj...eature=related

I call that, extreme creativity (cowl flushing)

Happy Boating

[Mercury]

Originally Posted by Andy JC

Although it sound like geat fun I had no intentions of putting it in gear, especially as the sides of the container will be within inches

But if the prop is off. the sides of the container will be well out of the way.

[Andy JC]

Originally Posted by Mercury

But if the prop is off. the sides of the container will be well out of the way.

Agreed, but what have you got to gain by putting it in gear, it's only to flush it through?

[Mercury]

Originally Posted by Andy JC

Agreed, but what have you got to gain by putting it in gear, it's only to flush it through?

There is nothing to gain, and nothing to lose, you are only flushing the engine. Its just so you dont get soaked if you want to put it in gear. And besides you need to take the prop off every once in a while. Other wise it could seize on the shaft.

[Doug Stormforce]

Originally Posted by Andy JC

Filling the container using buckets wouldn't be too much of a problem as there's a water supply near by, just not near enough to use a hose.

Andy

I bet you will be able to source a longer hose quicker than a barrel that’s the right shape and size, plus who want to be carrying loads of buckets of water back and fourth when they have just come of the water.

[Nos4r2]

I have to say given the price of launching at some slips I think it's utterly appalling that there isn't a flushing point provided. Poole charges 8 quid at Baiter and provide 2 taps in a dedicated flushing area...

[JSP]

I think that's fair to say about newer built slips but with the older ones, getting a water connection to them would be at a high cost.

[Andy JC]

Originally Posted by Doug Stormforce

Andy

I bet you will be able to source a longer hose quicker than a barrel that’s the right shape and size, plus who want to be carrying loads of buckets of water back and fourth when they have just come of the water.

Carrying buckets of water is not ideal I agree but the problem is not just the length of hose required, it's the fact that I'd have to trail it across 4 gardens. Don't think the owners would be too impressed if my hose squashed their cherished flower displays

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I have to say given the price of launching at some slips I think it's utterly appalling that there isn't a flushing point provided. Poole charges 8 quid at Baiter and provide 2 taps in a dedicated flushing area...

I was quite surprised to find there wasn't a tap at Camber. Graeme C said their used to be one there but not any longer. Why on earth would they want to take a facility like that away