Engine Freshwater flush idea

[SCO]

ref 73 johnson 135 hp v4. <br />For my neighbors sakes, I hate starting this motor up on peaceful Sunday afternoons after boating in salt water, smelling up the place at high decibels, running till the thermostats open to flush the heads. I have noticed 2 rubber hoses accessible with the cover off that go to the heads from and above the thermostat assy. I am thinking I can get an automobile radiator flush kit and insert the plastic yellow tee into one or both of these hoses to flush the heads without starting the engine. Installing the muffs may clean out the lower unit. <br /><br />Is this a good idea, will it work, especially for the portions just below the thermostat?<br /><br />Does anybody do this already, and is there a better way or maybe an aftermarket tee for just this purpose?

 

[ob]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

I don't know if that method would afford a good flush of the engine.have you considered one of those "flush mufflers"?

 

[epresutti]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

SCO,<br /><br />The shop manual on my J140 82 V4 shows those tubes on the hot side of the water circulation (after the heads), I think if you put water pressure in those tubes you would be working against the pump and the thermostats would not open.<br /><br />I am not a mechanic, but that is how I read the water flow diagram.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />emp.

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

I don't believe this would work. These hoses take the water from the cylinder head to the thermostats [if one of your thermos ever fails offshore, you can disconnect the hose and let the water drain out the motor housing and get home, BTW]. You have one hose for each cylinder bank. I don't believe you'd get enough water backflowing to clean the heads, etc. and the thermos would stay closed from the cold water.

 

[thosch]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

The noise problem can be solved by buying the flush muffler available at Overtons website. Works great and provide the backpressure, as though your boat was in the water.

 

[SCO]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

pretty good OB,th, might go that route but still would rather not start the motor. Here is a link of a flush muffler I found for any interested readers.<br /> http://www.overtons.com/cgi-bin/overtons/order/pdetail.cgi?37646++2C2C <br /><br />I think I see what you mean Ed/ Jack. I probably can't get get water past the waterpump without the engine turning, and If I try to fill from the two hoses, it might drain away without filling the heads or lower unit tubes. I will do a simple test though, now that I know better how it works, and hook up the muffs, disconnect a hose by the thermostat and see if I can hand turn the crankshaft in a way that allows water to make the circuit to exit out the hose. BTW also, that is great info to store away for that overheat situation to get home. Thanks

 

[93bronco]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

the flush muffler from overtons is great. really make a difference

 

[Bob in Calif.]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

I have had many engines over the years. The best way I found to flush your engine when using the "earmuffs", is to connect your hose to a line off your hot water heater. You can connect from the drain on the bottom of your water heater or somewhere such as the hotwater line off your washing machine in your garage, such as I do.<br />I found this to best way remove salt from the entire cooling system, without having to run your engine for 20 or 30 minutes or a six-pack which goes first.<br />I fish the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Cortez and San Francisco Bay, so a good hot flushing has worked very well for salt removal. ...Bob in Calif...

 

[SCO]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

Good ideas. Has anyone tried immersing the lu in a garbage can full of water to Keep the sound down? I wonder if that is doable with the quantity of thru prop exhaust on a 135 hp motor?

 

[Forktail]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

"I hate starting this motor up on peaceful Sunday afternoons"<br /><br />That's what Sunday's are for! Take your neighbor fishing, and have him help you flush your outboards when you get home. It won't bother him a bit!

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

SCO<br /><br />Yes, a barrel works very well. I cut up a plastic 40 or 55 gal drum. Keeps the noise down, idles better. You can get fancy and put a drain plug in it. I had a funnel attached to the side of mine to catch the water coming out of the pee-hole. Kind of made it self-contained.

 

[Neil]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

I regularly (almost always) run my Evin 140 in a tank. Back pressure makes it idle better and the noise is reduced.<br /><br />No rivers of water everywhere either.

 

[SCO]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

I see why you use tanks, I couldn't get the outdrive to fit in the big garbage can. Of the 2 hoses from the thermostat to the blocks, I unhooked them and connected a water hose to one. The water flowed out the 2nd hose. I reattached hose one and put water to the thermostat through the top of the 2nd hose. The water circulated through both v blocks(came out where hose 2 normally goes), and also went down to the lower unit internally. Conclusion, it works well to put water in there to flush the heads that don't normally get fresh h2o until the thermostats open.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

A small livestock watering tank works well. 18" x 36" x 24" high, 75 gallons. Allows you to tilt motor up, back over the tank, and lower it in. They can be had for about $55. They work well as a mini spray painting booth too. Park it under a rain gutter and it will always be full.

 

[Hawaiian]

Re: Engine Freshwater flush idea

I have heard of people putting white vinegar into the water tank to help remove salt deposits in the motor when flushing. Has anyone tried this?