In water fresh water flush - Maxum Boat Owners Club

hybris1 · 04-23-2008, 03:11 PM

Has anyone seen a fresh water flush that you do in the water. I leave my boat in salt water and would like to flush the engine out. I know some salt water will remain but I figure it would be better than nothing. I would need some kind of tap in. The intake on the outdrive is not really accessible. I thought it would be handy if it even connected to the fresh water tank. The only concern I have is that there may need to be a sea water bypass because the impeller in the outdrive will be pumping. Unless the flush could be done with the engine off.

Brit Rider · 04-23-2008, 09:41 PM

There must be a kit I'm sure......

My last boat (a Nautique Wakeboard boat) had exactly what you are asking about fitted on it. I'd assume it needs to be slightly different for a stern drive though.

You can always buy a muffle rot slip over the out drive (underwater) and do it that way... but it's not ideal.

Anyone know if the raw water feed from a stern drive goes directly into the block or is there a rubber hose that can be cut into?

jhabers · 06-23-2008, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hybris1

Has anyone seen a fresh water flush that you do in the water. I leave my boat in salt water and would like to flush the engine out. I know some salt water will remain but I figure it would be better than nothing. I would need some kind of tap in. The intake on the outdrive is not really accessible. I thought it would be handy if it even connected to the fresh water tank. The only concern I have is that there may need to be a sea water bypass because the impeller in the outdrive will be pumping. Unless the flush could be done with the engine off.

I had an MST Guardian and loved it. You flush the boat when its off and just hook a hose up to it. Worked great.

http://www.mstguardian.com

see if george at boatfix.com still carries them

Jon

rgreenwell8962 · 06-25-2008, 05:21 PM

I was told that there is no need to flush after a trip in the saltwater becasue since I have a good ways to go in fresh before I get back to the dock, the engine will be flushed by then from cruising through fresh. ANy truth to this????

seapuppy · 06-25-2008, 06:54 PM

nope...not true....even though your going up river....it's still brackish water and the salt is probably crusted inside...so....it's best to flush the drives with fresh water and wash the outside with soap and water....

that will definitly flush the drive/heatexchanger and anything else needed....

SP

rgreenwell8962 · 06-25-2008, 07:06 PM

My thoughts exactly. This came from the broker who sold the boat. He seems to "know" everything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by seapuppy

nope...not true....even though your going up river....it's still brackish water and the salt is probably crusted inside...so....it's best to flush the drives with fresh water and wash the outside with soap and water....

that will definitly flush the drive/heatexchanger and anything else needed....

SP

rgreenwell8962 · 06-25-2008, 07:18 PM

So is flushing required every time I go in salt? SHould I flush the engine every time I run it no matter whether or not I am in salt, brackish, or fresh? The more articles I read the more conflicting reports I get. I sure I dont have to flush my engine every time I am out do I?

Thanks
Rich
(still new) bear with me

seapuppy · 06-25-2008, 08:11 PM

for fresh water ..no ..you don't have to flush....brackish or salt....yes....definitly flush...

Gazjen · 06-25-2008, 08:35 PM

Salt has killed my engine and manifold so it might be a bit of an effort but it will need flushing every time you go near salt water.

rgreenwell8962 · 06-25-2008, 11:40 PM

I am moored in Lake WA so I assume I need to flush only when I go through the locks?????

seapuppy · 06-26-2008, 12:22 AM

oh...that's different!!! :shock:

if your running out into the sound and coming back thru the locks..then driving for quite awhile thru the lake...then no...you won't have to flush...I was thinking like me..your out in the sound..then come up river to dagmars when the tide is running up river ..then yeah...you need to flush....but in your case....nope..not necessary..

SP

rgreenwell8962 · 06-26-2008, 12:55 AM

Oh great to know! Now I can worry about more pressing things like: did I install the transducer correct? Which depth sounder is the accurate one, the factory in dash or the Garmin I just siliconed today? How can I transport 74 gallons of petro from the gas station at $4.30 instead of filling at the docks for $5.50? IPA or Lager? Try the locks today or go another day? Use the dentist excuse for work or the doctor excuse to play hooky???

seapuppy · 06-26-2008, 04:14 AM

"Oh great to know! Now I can worry about more pressing things like: did I install the transducer correct? Which depth sounder is the accurate one, the factory in dash or the Garmin I just siliconed today? How can I transport 74 gallons of petro from the gas station at $4.30 instead of filling at the docks for $5.50? IPA or Lager? Try the locks today or go another day? Use the dentist excuse for work or the doctor excuse to play hooky???"

YES!!!....

SP

Gazjen · 06-26-2008, 09:34 AM

74 gallons :shock:

That would cost a serious amount of money to fill here

hold on that's nearly Â£400 GPB so nearly $800 that's gonna hurt

More interestingly I grew up around canal boats on the inland waterway over here and would be very interested to see any pictures of your waterways and locks etc if you have any
Cheers

jman32 · 12-30-2008, 01:43 PM

GROCO makes a fresh water flush vale that fits on the top of the sea cocks (salt water intake valve). You need to know the hose ID that fits on the valve before ordering the flush kit. My 3700 SCR has a 1 1/4 inch hose so that is the valve size to order from Defender boat part supplier. The valve is very simple to install and use. Good luck and great boating!