Flushing outboards - how often?

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]
Major, PLEASE post a photo (if poss) showing the location of the flushing port on the Suzuki, 'cos I can't identify it and would love to flush mine, also how to extract the plug. Ta EVERSO!

[/ QUOTE ]

Will do when I've taken a pic, unless someone does it before me.

Have you not got the manual?

Anyway, you know were the up and down switch is on the beast? Well, the flushing plug is just below. and aft of the switch

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]
Manual implies it's best to do it as often as possible.

[/ QUOTE ] No, I meant to show you were the flushing port is.

I am interested in jfm's theory that using the flushing port in the tilted position can cause water to enter the cylinders. I've flushed twice every weekend over the summer months for fours years and my Suzuki is fine and I follow the manual which says to use the flushing port when the engine is tilted.

 

[Matteeboy]

Major - The manual show the flushing "vents" at the bottom of the prop leg but no mention of a port on the main bulk of the engine (excuse the laymans terms!)

 

[Major Catastrophe]

Take this pic with you and see if you can locate the same place.

 

[jfm]

I guess what I'm saying Major is that with any outboard, 2 or 4 stroke, there are certain flywheel positions where exh valve (on a 4) or port (on a 2) is/are open. There is then a route for water to go from the exhaust (usually the prop hub) right into the cylinders. If you squirt the hose hard enough, the water could get to the cylinders, and if the engine is tilted there is more chance of this becuase the water doesn't have to go uphill so much

I therefore much prefer to flush with the motor running. Some engines (eg the yamaha 83hp 2 stroke used in many jetskis and jetribs) have a warning in the manual that the flushport must not be used unless engine is running, for this reason. Although with those engines the water wouldn't have to go very far uphill to get from the exhaust outlet to the cylinders, becuase they are kind of horizontal installations

I dont want to be scaremongery. It may well be that the chances of hosepipe water getting to the cyls in many outboards is tiny and not worth worrying about.

All this did happen to Dom remeber, with his Volvo sterndrive, though it was seawater not flush water IIRC

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

Ta everso, will check this weekend when we get to the boat (and I'll try not to drop it!)

 

[Major Catastrophe]

[ QUOTE ]
Ta everso, will check this weekend when we get to the boat (and I'll try not to drop it!)

[/ QUOTE ]

No!

That pic is of the Mercury and for Matteeboy. The Suzuki flushing port is on the Starboard side behind and below the up/down switch.

 

[Matteeboy]

I will check it this weekend but pretty sure I don't have that port.
Realistically, I can't see myself flushing it every time but I'll do it as often as possible - easy hose access, but not so easy to actually get to the engine at anything other than full low tide.

Thanks for all your help though!

 

[phockit]

My dad has a new Mariner 80 on his boat, the folks at HBM who supplied it said it only needed flushing if it was going to be out of the water for more than a couple of weeks. If it's used regularily then not to worry.

They've been very honest about everything else we've discussed with them so I would say the recommendation is based on experience rather than a wish to sell more engines.

Paul

 

[Major Catastrophe]

On the other hand, why risk an eight grand engine for the sake of a flush?

 

[phockit]

[ QUOTE ]
On the other hand, why risk an eight grand engine for the sake of a flush?

[/ QUOTE ]

Which was exactly my thinking when I asked the question of HBM.....them my dad pointed out the engine on the sailing boat we had when I was a kid only got flushed once a year when the boat came out of the water and it got its service.

I think the key is to make regular use of them, if you can't/don't then more care needs to be taken.

Paul