Sterndrive leg flushing

robmatheson

robmatheson

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Hello. My Sealine 218's on the hard at the moment and it's got a Volvo AQ205 outdrive leg. I want to be able to flush it through - mainly to check it still goes! Has anyone used a set of outboard flushing muffs attached to a water hose to do this?

I know this is probably basic stuff, but I'm a newbie and have a tendency to cock things up.

I'd really appreciate any advice because I'd really like to check it now - before she goes back into the water in March.

Best wishes and thanks in advance for your help.

Rob
 
You can flush the engine through by disconnecting the hose from the leg and drawing water up from a bucket.

It is shown in the OWNERS MANUAL in the section on laying up for the winter.

If you use muffs take care to stop the water flow when you stop the engine.
 
leg muffs cost about £10, so its no major investment. Put the muff over the water intake slits towards the bottom of the leg, attach a hose, switch the hose on, and start the engine. Check water is flowing through,and out of the leg/exhaust, and keep an eye on the temp gauge to be safe. Keep away from the props.. they shouldnt turn, but best not to stick your hands anywhere near, to fiddle with the leg muffs or something silly!
Pretty straight forward. Just check the muffs sit properly so the water is going up into the leg, and not just spilling down the outside of it, so two people is easier until you are sure what you are doing. It takes a few moments for the water to get pumped through the engine, so dont panic.
 
Oldgits patented cheapskate leg tester.......you beg borrow or liberate a 50 gallon drum or similar preferably plastic but steel will do which has been cut in half ....ish
Rich people might purchase from B&Q one of those square cheap flimsy but largish central heating header tanks.
Lift leg .....lower leg into drum.....fill with water to get surface over intake holes and hey presto.
Normally we leave hose running to top up container constantly,because when putting into forward/reverse to check drive train,water goes all over the shop when prop turns.
Ps.Has the added advantage of muting the exhaust noise if you run engine for any length of time.
PPS.Props make water whoosh everywhere in a very satisfying manner if your not very careful.
 
Fantastic! This is a great help and all suggestions much easier than I thought. Unfortunately the engine compartment is quite cramped so disconnecting the inlet pipe (which I tried first) is very difficult. But thanks again for everyone's advice.
 
[ QUOTE ]
You could of course dissconect the inlet pipe from the outside! and stick a hose in that

[/ QUOTE ] Disconnecting outside is how the owners manual shows it. BUT be very careful connecting a hose directly to it. That's a recipe for filling the exhaust system and then the cylinders if you are not careful.
Stick the hose and the inlet pipe into a big bucket. No problems then
 
Hi
As you have been informed you can use muffs (that what I use) or a dustbin type container full of water - remove the props though. If you use the muffs ensure good water pressure, I see you have a Volvo outdrive (the AQ205 is the engine not the outdrive by the way) so remember to blank the lower hole, it's the round one about 10mm diameter just under the intake grills, I use a piece of tapered dowelling to do this and when you turn the tap on make sure the muffs remain in place.
Hope this helps and prepare to get a little wet!
 
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