Flushing on muffs in the water

[Cricket Too]

Hey guys, I have a '97 Johnson 115, it doesn't have the backflusher on it, I think that came 2 or 3 years later.

Anyway, the boat is in the water, saltwater, and everytime I get home I put muffs on it and run it for 10 minutes in the water with the muffs on, to flush it out.

I have tried multiple different types of muff setups to try and get the most fresh water through it that I can, and am currently using a setup that has water coming out of both sides of the muffs, rather than just one side, this seems to work the best so far.

But no matter what I use, and I've probably spent $50 trying to find the right thing, I still get some saltwater being pulled in when it's idiling.

So I am assuming that there are other places that cooling water gets pulled into the L/U other than just the water pump vents, is that correct?

I usually taste the tell-tale and that's how I know it's not fully fresh water coming through the engine, it is close and definitely nowhere near as salty as the canal it sits in, probably close to brackish, maybe even a little fresher than brackish.

But just wondering if anybody else flushes like this and has found anyway to get all fresh water through the engine, and if not will this "almost" fresh or brackish that I'm getting through it flush it out good enough?

Thanks.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Flushing on muffs in the water

Ever try tilting the engine up so it's out of the water?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Flushing on muffs in the water

most do not like to run tilted that high, as the carbs are out of level. you are doing about the best that can be done in the water.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Flushing on muffs in the water

Yeah I don't think too many engines are gonna run well inverted, carbs generally don't like ot be upside down. Even if it would, not to mention common curtousy for the neighbors. Most people aren't gonna like hearing this thing blaring for 10 minutes while they are trying to enjoy themselves....2 strokes are loud.

tashasdaddy.....I take it there are just other orifices around the L/U that water gets pulled into, other than the main vents, huh? Would you think that having a 90% fresh solution going through it is still doing some good, or am I wasting my time? People look at me like I'm nuts, but they are probably the ones always having issues with cooling, and doing T-stats all the time.

Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Flushing on muffs in the water

it's doing some good, how much you never know. those are the only water inlets. the main thing salt water, impeller, and tstat changed every 2 years, at least.

my volvo I/O is trailered, but exclusively salt water, we change the tstat, and impeller every year. they are easy to get to.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Flushing on muffs in the water

So I guess maybe the muffs just don't seal that great and saltwater gets pulled in around them, huh? Well guess they weren't made to work under water so whatever. The hose pressure isn't the greatest so there may not be enough fresh water to make up for the slatwater leaking in.

Anyway, I usually change the water pump every two years, haven't done the stats since I bought it 2 years ago, will probably do they this winter. Not looking forward to doing them on a bubble back though.

Just more concerned with saltwater sitting in the head all week, so I guess the brackish is better than nothing.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Flushing on muffs in the water

if you leave the motor in run position, the water drains from the power head, to water level of the river. or if you let the boat sit for a few minutes, the water will drain, and then tilt it up.

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: Flushing on muffs in the water

Oh yeah I always let it sit in run position and drain for a few minutes, but I meant letting salt sit in the powerhead from not flushing it out with freshwater.

Sorry should have been more specific.