Outboard Flushing - Boat on Pontoon

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I have a new Suzuki DF200APX on a boat moored at a pontoon for most of the year. The engine can be flushed regularly via the fresh water ports at the front and back of the engine block. However, I am concerned that there will be a gradual build-up of salt residue in the lower unit/impeller if this is not flushed from time to time between winter lifts/storage. I would like to know if it is acceptable practice to flush the lower unit/impeller by attaching muffs while the engine is raised, lowering the engine to the fully down position and then running the engine in neutral for a few minutes.

I imagine some seawater will be drawn in around the edges of the muffs but most of the intake water should be fresh from the attached hose.

Any thoughts?
 
I have a 115 Suzuki which I flush after every trip via the flushing point on the side of the engine.
I do this with the engine tilted up. Never had a problem with the lower half silting up and only takes a few mins to do while I pack the rest of the boat away.
I only use the flush muffs with the engine in the down position and if I decide to start it out of the water. I only do this when the engine is serviced and the boat is out of the water.
I don't see why you couldn't do what your suggesting but I wouldn't bother,
btw, Don't be tempted to start the engine with just the flush point connected, OK if using the muffs.
Nice engine :-)
 
My DF200 is now 8 years old. It gets pampered when I bring the boat out at the end of each season but for 6 months of the year it sits on a swinging mooring with nothing but seawater in it. I have never found any build up of minerals or sediment in the lower unit over that time and equally the 7 anodes show very little evidence of problems. Personally I wouldn't worry.
 
Thank you, Keith-i. I guess it depends on the water quality. Quite a lot of silty water in my area.

Is it the case that, when using the flush ports, water runs down to the lower unit?
 
When I use the flushing point on my Suzuki with the engine tilted up, water comes out of the tale tale (think that's what it's called, ) and out from around the prop.
So yes, fresh water gets to the lower leg.
Might be worth talking to the Suzuki dealer to get their take on best ways to flush your engine.
 
I’ve got a Suzuki 175 on my rib, I think from 2010. I do find that it needs a flush from time to time, I have had two incidents of the tell tale water not coming through, and both times have cured it by pushing water through the flush point with the hose. The boat is in the med and kept out of the water on a drive on dock. Both occasions of the engine needing a flush were after a longish period of non use, and I am guessing that the water inside evaporates leaving a crusty, salty deposit which needs to go. Since then I try to flush the engine from time to time, and before any long period of lack of use. I do it using muffs with the engine tilted just enough that I can attach them by leaning over and so that the intake sits Just above the waterline. It’s never done any obvious harm that I know of, and fresh water comes out of the telltale. Having said that I don’t run it for long, the point being just to get the salty water out and almost always after the boat has been out and all is nice and hot and lubricated etc.
The engine has been 100% reliable and in truth has not received the highest degree of care and attention by me, an otherwise meticulous Boat owner........ part of the reason for that is because it just doesn’t seem to need it and never has ..... almost certianly famous last words !
 
A very timely post as I have just bought an MF755 with a Suzuki DF150TGX, fly by wire controls and a bow thruster.[ I plan to retrofit an electric windlass.]
Reading the Destruction Manual i note that Suzuki RECOMMENDS flushing the water passages with the engine running in a vertical position, ie-using muffs. I guess the alternative - flushing with the engine not running and tilted up - is slightly easier.
I like Boatbore’s suggestion of slightly tilting the leg and using the muffs with the engine running. I will certainly use muffs when the boat is lifted most likely twice a year.
 
beejay190 said:
A very timely post as I have just bought an MF755 with a Suzuki DF150TGX, fly by wire controls and a bow thruster.[ I plan to retrofit an electric windlass.]
Reading the Destruction Manual i note that Suzuki RECOMMENDS flushing the water passages with the engine running in a vertical position, ie-using muffs. I guess the alternative - flushing with the engine not running and tilted up - is slightly easier.
I like Boatbore’s suggestion of slightly tilting the leg and using the muffs with the engine running. I will certainly use muffs when the boat is lifted most likely twice a year.
Click to expand...

Hi beejay
Are you the very nice MF755 which has just turned up at Davis's?
 
Oscar24 said:
Hi beejay
Are you the very nice MF755 which has just turned up at Davis's?
Click to expand...

Nope. I became aware of that boat too late when speaking with Mark of Stingray Sports Boats. I did wander down and take a look. I note that it has trim tabs.

I have just bought the very nice:) MF755 that was for sale at Burton Waters which has involved two 450 mile round trips.
My boat has a 2013 HIN number . It was used by Sea Ventures as a display model and the engine was fitted late 2014 when the boat was sold.

A Suzuki DF150TGX ( whatever that means ) was fitted and it comes with fly by wire controls and the Suzuki Modular Instrument System 4” Display - multi function gauge . It is probably going to take me until next Christmas to understand the Operation Instructions.!

Interestingly i had previously trialled the MF755 for sale at Chichester ( Hayling Island ). That has been marketed as a 2014 boat but it has the earlier Suzuki 150 engine; cable controls and limited helm gauge information.

My boat has been towed down to the Poole area but will shortly proceed to Weymouth Marina where it will be berthed for my first year of ownership. I have kept my three previous boats at Cobbs Quay and now wish to go somewhere new.

You wil be very welcome onboard.
 
Thanks beejay!
Have been wondering who the boat is opposite me on the pontoon :-) Has a large stainless hoop on the back around the engine which I've not seen before.
Best of luck down in Weymouth, I think the 755 is a cracking boat. Ticks so many boxs.
Anyway, sorry for the thread drift......
 
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