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Is it necessary to run the engine when doing a freshwater flush? I have a Johnson that has a flushing port(which is also the water pump outlet fitting). If the boat is in the water, I can not run the engine when flushing because it is getting water from the hose in the flushing port and would also take water in the intake ports in the lower unit. Also, is it better to use flushing ears or the flushing port? Thanks
I have the Evinrude version with the flushing port.
My boat is also in a slip. I installed a quick release (email me for details) to make things way too easy not to do it.
You do not need to run the engine when using the flushing port, although you can. I always flush with the engine up.
The only concern I have of performing the flush with out running the engine is possible salt water being trapped in the pump housing. I have a few times turned her over for a few seconds to flush the pump out, but figure its really not a big deal.
Just raise her out of the water and use the flushing port. I can give you an easy cheap way of setting it up so you do not have to deal with unscrewing the telltale every time
seapro, there has been a lot of discussion on this in the past. Let me summarize. I think most agree that you do not run your motor while using a flushing port. Most manuals tell you not to. As far as the muffs go, there are two schools of thought. One is that with a port not enough water gets down to the pump so flushing with the muffs is better. The other is that plenty of water gets to the pump so muffs aren't necessary.
Personally I flush with muffs until the thermostats open.
Guys,
I apologize if this topic has been beaten to death. I have an 1988 225 Horsepower Evinrude.The boat is at a slip. Do I flush it with ear muffs when the motor is on a tilt or with the motor tilted down so the earmuffs are actually under water?
Most mechanics will tell you NOT to run the motor with water only entering flush port. Apparently the impeller on most motors do not receive enough water for lubrication while it spins in this configuration.
A bad day on the water beats any good day at the office!
The owners manual on my 2002 200 HP merc doesn't say not to run the engine while flushing using the flush port. unfortunately, I ran the engine a couple of times while flushing thru the port until I read a post here saying not to. I just bought a service manual for the engine. The service manual is explicit in that the engine should not be run while flushing using the flush port as the water pump impeller will not recieve enough water to prevent damage. I don't know why the owners manual didn't state that! I am hoping I didn't do any damage running the engine like I did.
Owner's Manual for 2001 Yama 115's/130's, 2-stroke, says, "With the engine OFF, turn on the water tap...". This is with regard to using the flushing device.
My evinrude 175 manual says you can flush three ways: Engine off & tilted with flush port; Engine running, not tilted & flush port;Engine running, not tilted & muffs. I didn't see any damage to my water pump after a year of flushing with the port on a running engine.
It seems to me that a running engine would vibrate and expand more, thus knocking off scale or sand or whatever binds onto the water passages. Plus, the heat will open the thermostats (flushing the jugs out)and help to dissolve salts better. A cold rinse won't allow the t'stats to open.
I recently TRADED IN 2 Yamaha 150's after 5 years and 1600 hours for 2 new 150's. They never saw fresh water unless it rained and they ran fine at trade in. Replaced thermostats and impellers every 2 years. Boat is in the water full time. Flushing with fresh water is a waste of time unless the boat is not used for over 30 days.
Put the muffs on, tilt her straight up and down & flush.
I have had two guys who worked with Outboard engine companies tell me that. Tilting the motor so that the prop is out of the water isn't good for the engine. So I have been told.
