Flushing at pontoon

chriscraft · 15 February 2010, 14:44

My RIB spends most of its time when not at sea at a pontoon - there is no ramp at the marina. Can anyone advise best way to freshwater flush while at the pontoon. Engines are Honda BF90Ds. I have the hose flushing connector which fits direct to the engine, but am not sure with this attached whether the engine still sucks water up through lower leg. If so this is a waste of time. And I guess the engine shouldn't be flushed while tilted - this might affect the oil flow??

m chappelow · 15 February 2010, 15:40

a big canvas sail bag / kit bag or the like so that you can slip over the prop and leg and lash it high up ,fill with fresh water and run ,,,dont put it in gear though .lol,,,

9D280 · 15 February 2010, 15:55

Welcome to Ribnet!

How often do you use the boat? If frequently, I have heard three dealers independently say that O/Bs used daily in salt water & never flushed are usually as salt free as any run in fresh water.

Ref. the flushing connection - would Honda be able to answer that question?

Failing that a set of muffs fitted up, then wind it down to flush? You may need to bend the muffs' bar a bit to keep it firmly in place on the way down.

jambo · 16 February 2010, 15:06

Hi and welcome

I like agree with 9D280. I cruise in the open sea and use both methods depending on my usage if it is regular I will give it a blast thru the inlet valve, but if I am away fro a while or winter layup I will use muffs for about 20/25 mins to make sure the fresh water gets right thru the system.
Hope this helps.

J

Erin · 17 February 2010, 19:43

I'm not sure you would run the engine whilst the hose is attached to the flushing port. I think you just turn on the water and let it run for a while.

ScotSeats · 18 February 2010, 09:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin

I'm not sure you would run the engine whilst the hose is attached to the flushing port. I think you just turn on the water and let it run for a while.

I have always been let to believe that you cannot run water through the inlet port without the engine running and that you are ment to start the engine before turning the hose on.

NautiSeacrets · 18 February 2010, 09:59

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=228395

What is the definitive answer?

treerat · 20 February 2010, 06:36

On the dive boat we only ever flush it through with the engine off via the wash plug.

I suppose you should be able to hand pump some fresh water through now and again to clean through if left on the mooring??

Cookee · 20 February 2010, 10:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScotSeats

I have always been let to believe that you cannot run water through the inlet port without the engine running and that you are ment to start the engine before turning the hose on.

IMHO that is all wrong!

The thermostat will close below a certain temperature, so it won't clear out the whole engine, but you can run the hose before starting the engine - the water will leave the engine the same way as if it was pumped round.

If you start the engine without the water on the impeller's life will be shortened by the extra friction - of that I am quite sure.

Just out of interest where did you get this information from? Any manual for an outboard I have ever seen says the opposite!

Cypman · 20 February 2010, 12:10

My understanding is that the flushing point can be used with the engine raised but definately NOT RUNNING (as not enough water gets to the impeller! to lubricate it!)
I have utilised muffs under water and they work fine (with the engine running).

chewy · 20 February 2010, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypman

I have utilised muffs under water and they work fine (with the engine running).

How do you know its getting flushed with fresh water and not drawing salt?

Bigmuz7 · 20 February 2010, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

a big canvas sail bag / kit bag or the like so that you can slip over the prop and leg and lash it high up ,fill with fresh water and run ,,,dont put it in gear though .lol,,,

I wouldn't run a four stroke tilted up like that

, just plug in the hose at the connector after a run when its warm and it flushes its self

chewy · 20 February 2010, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

I wouldn't run a four stroke tilted up like that

, just plug in the hose at the connector after a run when its warm and it flushes its self

He's not running it tilted up.
He puts a watertight bag around the leg and fills that with fresh water and then runs the engine. Its in the lowered position and in the water but drawing fresh water because of the bag, hence it doesn't want to go into gear!

JSP · 20 February 2010, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

How do you know its getting flushed with fresh water and not drawing salt?

You could always taste it

I had a similar problem to this. I was lucky to have a slip way right by my mooring and I could pull it out to give it a quick flush on the slip and then let it out again and pull it back to it's birth by hand.

Bigmuz7 · 20 February 2010, 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

He's not running it tilted up.
He puts a watertight bag around the leg and fills that with fresh water and then runs the engine. Its in the lowered position and in the water but drawing fresh water because of the bag, hence it doesn't want to go into gear!

Ah !

Cypman · 20 February 2010, 22:18

JSP is spot on, make sure the muffs are tight fitting with a good flow of water and taste the tell-tail to check for non-salinity. It does work!!!

Bigmuz7 · 20 February 2010, 22:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypman

JSP is spot on, make sure the muffs are tight fitting with a good flow of water and taste the tell-tail to check for non-salinity. It does work!!!

I can assure you .... he is a fan of tight fitting muffs

*edit* and probably having a flush a pontoon as well knowing his condition

..

chewy · 21 February 2010, 00:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cypman

JSP is spot on, make sure the muffs are tight fitting with a good flow of water and taste the tell-tail to check for non-salinity. It does work!!!

Lol tight fitting muff and JSP in the same sentance, gutteed Bugmuff7 beat me to it but everyone knows JSP can't resist a tight tufted clam.