The time has come to start getting your boat ready for the summer weather, and there is going to be work that needs to be done to the motor. It is important to know how to clean, test, and flush the motor before you launch your boat in the water for summer recreation. The following guide will help walk you through the process of flushing boat motors.
1. With the Boat Motor Turned Off, Connect It to Flush Muffs or Adapted Hoses
Once the boat and engine are out of the water, turn your motor off to begin preparing to flush it. This is done by connecting flush-muffs or adapted hoses to the engine. The muffs must be connected to the water intake of the engine to properly flush salt, minerals, and debris out of the engine to prevent wear and corrosion.
2. Make Sure the Flushing-Muffs or Adapters Are Well Sealed Before Cranking the Engine
Whether you have used purposely manufactured flush-muffs or adapted fittings for hoses, these muffs need a sealed connection. You can use duct-tape, plastic, or specially made seals to cover the intake for a good seal. Doing this will prevent overheating and damage that can be caused when flushing boat engines.
3. Start Running Water From the Hoses to Your Engine's Water Intake to Begin Flushing It
Before you start your boat engine to flush it, you want to make sure the hose is turned on. Water should be flowing to the engine when it is started to allow for the engine to run when it is in normal boating conditions on the water.
4. Run the Engine Until the Minerals, Salt, and Debris Are Flushed Out of the Inside of the Motor
Once you have water going to the engine's water intake, you will be ready to start it. Let the engine run water through the system for about 10 minutes. Watch the seals on the muff adapters and the temperature of your engine to ensure it is not overheating. If needed, increase the rate of water that is going through the hose to the intake. You may want to flush the engine a couple of times to ensure all the parts of the system have been rinsed and are clean before you finish the job.
These are the things that you need to do to flush your boat motor and prevent damage when you take it in and out of the water. If you need help with your boat motor engine flush and maintenance, contact a marine and boat service to get your vessel ready for the summer weather.
