Sand

[knuuttila]

Last weekend I was using my boat in very shallow water and my prop hit the sand bed many times. I then noticed that there was no water coming out of the water outlet and that the exhaust was getting very smokey. Clearly the engine was caked up with sand.<br /><br />I stopped the engine(Johnson 120) and got back on my spare. I then started it up and it seemed to be working ok again, but is there a way I can flush all the sand out? I,m sure theres lots still in it? I,m also a bit concerned because the overheat horn did not sound.<br /><br />Cheers<br /><br /><br />Brian

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Sand

The horn should beep momentarily when you turn the key on. If not, find out why. Check the heat warning horn lead to the sensor as follows:<br /><br />Engine not running but with the key in the on position. ground out the TAN wire leading from the heat sensor in the cylinder head to the block. The horn should sound off.<br /><br />It would be a good idea to drop the lower unit to inspect the water pump assy.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Sand

You can back flush the engine with the lower unit off by removing the thermostat cover and securing a hose to the water pickup tube. If it is real bad you may have to remove the heads & backflush - easy to do but get new gaskets for any surface you open up.

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Sand

Been there myself. I dropped the lower unit as it was time for a new water pump. The leg was packed with sand. I pulled off the cooling hoses and flushed everything in both directions with a hose many times. I had a little piece of crud that kept plugging my indicator all summer. This procedure got it out.