Flushing the Motor

[MartyJ16]

What is the best way to flush the motor after a trip? Should I flush it with the hose through the inline hose attachment, or run the engine using the "ear-muff" type of attachment. The manual shows how to do both, but does not give a preference. I have a friend with a big Yamaha 200 and he flushes through the hose attachment as instructed by the Grady White dealer. The previous owner of my 25 said he preferred to run it with the muffs. Outboards have changed a lot since I last owned one. Any advice appreciated.

[mlukich]

My personal rule-of-thumb is...

Flush with muffs after a river/bay run. This gets the crud out of the entire system, including the impeller and associated waterways.

Run off the inline hose hookup if I'm running the motor for adjustments, etc.

Just my $0.02 worth...

Mark

[MartyJ16]

Mark,

I was told not to run the motor while on the hose hookup, just flush and if I wanted to run it to use the muffs. Are you sure it is OK to run that motor with the inline hookup? Also, what parts get flushed with each method. I put in in salt and brackish so I want to keep it clean. Thanks for your input.

[Fayetteguy]

I have always used the ear muffs, a fmaily member did that as well and had a motor for 20yrs running purely salt, so i figure dont mess with something that works. i believe they both flush the cooling system so it should work either way, but i think i remember people say NOT to run the motor with the inline hose hookup.

-Matt

[FoodPlot]

My Yamaha book says to "NOT RUN" the motor when flusing with the motor. Using the Muffs is the best way to go. Flush the thing with muffs, then shut the motor down, and then flush with the motor connected hose.

[mlukich]

Great - another thing I've been screwing up... (That kind of week...) A heartfelt "Thanks" to all that set me straight. I don't think I've done any damage to the motor by running it on the inline hook-up, I've only ran it long enough to adjust idle, verify voltage charging the battery, etc. Probably never ran it for longer than 1 or 2 minutes.

Mark

[mlukich]

I guess I better try and find a book for my motor as well - make sure I'm not doing anything else that is potentially damaging or dangerous...

Mark

[Dave]

I don't have my motor user guide handy but I'm pretty sure my (Suzuki) guide says to use the hose hook up when flushing withOUT the motor running and to use muffs when flushing with the motor running. I wouldn't think there would be any difference in how the flush systems function in Yamahas *006*

Dave

[cheez]

I don't have my motor user guide handy but I'm pretty sure my (Suzuki) guide says to use the hose hook up when flushing withOUT the motor running and to use muffs when flushing with the motor running. I wouldn't think there would be any difference in how the flush systems function in Yamahas *006*

Dave

My dealer told me this very same thing. He has been selling Zukes for years.

[Harry]

I don't have my motor user guide handy but I'm pretty sure my (Suzuki) guide says to use the hose hook up when flushing withOUT the motor running and to use muffs when flushing with the motor running. I wouldn't think there would be any difference in how the flush systems function in Yamahas *006*

Dave

My Suzuki book says this too.

Also,
Since I keep my boat in a slip, I cannot use the ear muffs and just keep the motor trimmed up in the slip and use the side attachment to flush until the water from the "pee" hole is cool.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Both ways is good for Yamaha and Suzuki, the only advantage of using the muffs is you also flush the impeller while is spinning and also some cooling parts which i don't know which exactly. Never flush with inline adapter and the motor running.

[DIVERHERB]

If you have been running your engine on the flush inlet I would really think about changing my water pump impeller a it is getting no lubrication from the water and it does not take long to eat he rubber away. Your motor will cool because the water pressure from your hose is sufficient to push through the system but is bypasses the water pump (lower half)

[Slot-Machine]

and the reason for this is simple the water that flows to the impeller serves as a lubericant as well. no water on the impeller will cause it to failure sometimes before the engine even gets up enough temp to open the thermostat.

[Shakespeare]

Since I keep my boat in a slip, I cannot use the ear muffs and just keep the motor trimmed up in the slip and use the side attachment to flush until the water from the "pee" hole is cool.

That's exactly what the onboard hose connection is for... for boats that remain in the water. The guy giving me my orientation said to not to use this connection except in that situation. This is for a Suzy... not sure how it applies to other motors.

Mike

[Dave]

That's exactly what the onboard hose connection is for... for boats that remain in the water. The guy giving me my orientation said to not to use this connection except in that situation. This is for a Suzy... not sure how it applies to other motors.
Mike

Mike, I don't see a whole lot of option if the boat is moored. FWIW, the 2007 Suzuki Owner's Manual (for the DF90/115/140) doesn't address a boat that is kept in the water. Here's what it says in the section titled "ENGINE NOT RUNNING" - Full tilt up position -

1. Raise the engine to the full tilt up position.
2. Follow the "ENGINE NOT RUNNING - Vertical position" instructions. (My note: This describes how to flush the motor using the flushing port with garden hose attached.) DO NOT RUN ENGINE IN THE FULL TILT UP POSITION.
3. Lower the motor to the vertical position until the engine is drained completely.

Dave

[Redfish]

Here is a good thread with some pretty extensive discussion on how the cooling systems work. I think what has been said here as to flushing with muffs vs. flushing with the garden hose connected is all correct to the best of my understanding, although I do not think there is some sort of one-way valve that would restrict water flowing back down from the on-board connector to the water pump impellers. Good point, however, if that is true. Hope this is helpful.

http://www.carolinaskiffowner.com//showthread.php?t=2789