Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

[enginesilo]

So I am new to Inboard/Outboards, but not to Jet Ski's and Outboard Engine's. Do you flush an I/O the same way? I am using the hose flap motor muffs.

1.) Turn on Engine
2.) Immediately turn on water/hose
3.) Let engine run for 10+ minutes, or till the thermostat opens
4.) Turn off Water
5.) Immediately turn off Engine

Is this the best way to go about it? I know that people say that if you run an I/O without water the impeller will burn up super fast. Should I be turning the water off and then the engine immediately afterwards? Can the engine actually flood if the hose was left on without the engine running, or does the water not filter through the engine like that? I know that with a jet ski the hose can't be on without the engine running to be safe. Want to make sure I am doing this right so any tips will be appreciated.

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

Turn on water
Start engine
Run, at high idle, till thermostat opening and choke off.
Throttle down to idle
Shut off engine
Shut off water.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

So, in theory, could you keep the hose on and the water won't go into the engine and cooling unless the engine is started and the impeller is spinning?

About how high of an idle do you keep it at? Any way to tell when the thermostat is open, or just by the temperature?

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

No need to run it at "high idle". The t-stat will open at normal idle when it needs to. You don't run it at high idle at the dock, do you? Before u start it just make sure u have a pee stream from the lower unit. That's why u turn the water on before starting it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

It doesn't hurt a thing to run them at high idle (1000-1200 rpm) during warm up. Matter of fact, it help on carbed engines. When you first start them and the choke is on and you leave it at normal idle speed, the engine lopes and runs rough, loads up and dies because it's so rich. Cars had a hi idle cam to give them some throttle, boats you have to move the lever up a little till the choke opens completely.

 

[enginesilo]

Re: Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

Thanks for the tips guys. When I flushed for the first time last friday I left it at idle and it seemed to run ok, so I guess I will either keep it at idle, or maybe give it a little gas based on how it sounds. The boat seems to have a smooth idle at flush time so that might do the trick.

Sea Wolf, so if I turn on the hose without the engine running it should start pissing out the correct holes? Is the **** stream on an I/O on the left and right hand side of the upper I/O bracket at the transon? I think that is where the water and maybe exhaust come out? Please confirm if this is where the water should start pissing from.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

It doesn't hurt a thing to run them at high idle (1000-1200 rpm) during warm up. Matter of fact, it help on carbed engines. When you first start them and the choke is on and you leave it at normal idle speed, the engine lopes and runs rough, loads up and dies because it's so rich. Cars had a hi idle cam to give them some throttle, boats you have to move the lever up a little till the choke opens completely.

Well, mine doesn't lope, run rough, & load up & die at normal idle. But, I'll defer to the "expert".

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

Thanks for the tips guys. When I flushed for the first time last friday I left it at idle and it seemed to run ok, so I guess I will either keep it at idle, or maybe give it a little gas based on how it sounds. The boat seems to have a smooth idle at flush time so that might do the trick.

Sea Wolf, so if I turn on the hose without the engine running it should start pissing out the correct holes? Is the **** stream on an I/O on the left and right hand side of the upper I/O bracket at the transon? I think that is where the water and maybe exhaust come out? Please confirm if this is where the water should start pissing from.

I have an omc & the water comes out from the right side of the l.u. Two streams & also exits from the exhaust bellows. I'm not sure on Mercs. Ask the "expert".