Flushing Engine

[Tugboattugger]

While flushing engine from side water hose connection I noticed water coming out from the bottom of the engine cover and no water coming out of tell tail, can someone tell me if this normal.

I know that the tell tail should be peeing but concerned about the other issue.
Thanks in advance.

[Harper]

There would be no water coming from the tell tale unless the engine is running. Now this next part of that answer is the important part ... YOU SHOULD NOT RUN THE ENGINE WHEN FLUSHING USING THE SIDE OR FRONT FLUSHING PORTS. Those ports are for flushing with the engine off only. Flushing with the engine running, which is the preferable way, is done with muffs on the water intakes on the lower unit. If you run the engine while using the upper flush ports, you are basically running with a dry water pump, which is a pretty good reason for not having any water out the tell tale.

The water coming out from under the engine cover is a whole different matter. You need to tell us what motor you are referring to.

EDIT .... I stand corrected. Seems that water would be coming out the tell tale when flushing with the upper ports with the engine off, at least on some motors. But that dry pump condition still presents a problem when you run the motor while flushing through the ports.

[Tugboattugger]

Mike, thanks for your reply,
The motor I'm speaking about is 2010 DF115.
While flushing from side port I'm not running the engine.

[Moonlighter]

Ive got the exact same motor/model and year, and I always get water coming from the telltale when flushing using the port on the side of the engine.

So first up, it sounds like youve got a blockage in the telltale - try running a length of heavy mono fishing line or weedeater line up there when you are flushing to see if you can dislodge whatever is blocking it. It may be that the blockage is causing the water to escape from somewhere else or it is even possible that the water you are seeing could simply be escaping from where the telltale pipe attaches to the fitting inside the cowl if that attachment is broken, or the hose is leaking somewhere there etc. The water pressure from your tap could have blown a hose off under the cowl even??

So check that and let us know.

If that doesnt reveal anything..... next steps .... I've never noticed water coming out from under the engine cover - perhaps you could take a photo/video and show us exactly where it's coming out - that would greatly help. I will then test my own motor to see if it is the same or not.

(with any luck, weather permitting, I will be using my boat this weekend and will try to remember to flush it using the port and will watch to see where water is exiting from the motor.)

[Tugboattugger]

Moonlighter, thanks for the reply.
I will take off cover and see if hose blew off.
I will also take a video of where water is coming from.

[LPowers]

Flushing after outing

I have only been using the side port after getting back to the house. So I should be flushing BOTH ports when I wash up? How long on each? I guess I have been doing it wrong for the past few months..

[Moonlighter]

Flushing is quite simple, there are 3 options:

1. Flush using one of the flushing ports on the engine. ENGINE MUST NOT BE RUNNING! This is the safest method because you can leave it flushing without concern that water may stop.

2. Flush using muffs around the water intakes on the leg. ENGINE RUNNING but make sure you have plenty of water pressure and that the telltale is pumping. Need to keep a close watch on it in case the muffs dislodge or hose is turned off or tomes out, you dont want the engine running with no water getting to the pump.

3. Put the motor leg in a drum of water or flushing bag and run it in there, making sure that the water level stays above the cav plate.

[Westcoaster]

3. Put the motor leg in a drum of water or flushing bag and run it in there, making sure that the water level stays above the cav plate.

This way or on muffs is what Suzuki recommends...
I always make sure the engine gets up to operating temp then flush another 5 mins...

[LPowers]

flushing

So by option #1, I am OK to just hook up to the SIDE port without engine running and run water for 15-20 minutes?? If I have to hook up to both ports for 40 minutes, I guess Ill just have to wake my neighbors up running on the muffs for a bit.

Flushing is quite simple, there are 3 options:

1. Flush using one of the flushing ports on the engine. ENGINE MUST NOT BE RUNNING! This is the safest method because you can leave it flushing without concern that water may stop.

2. Flush using muffs around the water intakes on the leg. ENGINE RUNNING but make sure you have plenty of water pressure and that the telltale is pumping. Need to keep a close watch on it in case the muffs dislodge or hose is turned off or tomes out, you dont want the engine running with no water getting to the pump.

3. Put the motor leg in a drum of water or flushing bag and run it in there, making sure that the water level stays above the cav plate.

[Moonlighter]

Option 1 only requires the hose to be attached to one (1) of the flushing ports. Then, as you say, flush for 10-15 minutes and it will be fine.

[LPowers]

flushing

so does one port work better then the other or are they the same? Confused as to why there are 2 ports if you only need to use one.

[Moonlighter]

You are seriously overthinking this!

Just use the one that is most convenient to access.

[Zuki175]

Moonlighter,


Is it okay to flush the motor using the side flush port and use the muff at the pick-up simultaneously with motor running?

My motor will not pee out of the tell tale with just the muffs running alone. I need to prime the system by flushing with the side flush port first. Let it pee then turn on water for the muffs and then fire up the engine.

[Moonlighter]

Good question!

Answer: I don't know for sure. So wouldnt like to recommend that. If you try it, let us know how you go!

On flushing with the muffs, have you tried the el cheapo small round muffs of the type used on old Johnson/Evinrude motors?

I was talking to my mate who is the local Suzuki dealer and head mechanic about my DF40A and how the dual feed muffs that I use on my DF115 wouldnt give the 40 enough water to pee. He said that at the shop, they only ever use those small round muffs and that they work with every motor, they never have any issues getting them to pee.

Might be worth spending $6.99 to buy a set and give them a try?!

[Zuki175]

I used the round muffs, single feed and dual feed rectangular muffs. One is not better than the other one. The motor will pee using these muffs but it takes over two minutes, even close to three minutes before it will barely pee from the telltale. Not sure why it takes so long.

So I made a contraption with two short water hoses (2 feet each) connected to a 3-way valve adapter. The side port flush and flushing muff has a plastic quick connector adapter for a quick connection to the hoses.

I prime with the side flush port first until it has a strong stream from the telltale. Then leave that running and open the valve for the muff. Turn on the engine and allow both connections to flow. I usually flush for about 8 to 10 minutes.

After finishing the flush I remove the quick connector from the side port flush. The water flowing out is always very warm (almost hot) to the touch The water exiting from the prop is always warm and never hot. The flushing is usually done 10 minutes after a 20 to 40 mile trip. Never had a overheat alarm while flushing.

Motor is a 2006 DF175 and has about 570 hours of pure saltwater use. The thermostat is very clean, almost spotless minus normal oxidation. When I remove the water pump after 200 hours of use, all parts are sparkling clean and easy to remove. The interior of the drive shaft housing is also very clean as far as I can see up to the oil pan area.

Every 100 hours, I remove the zinc anodes on the motor for an inspection. Minimal moist salt deposits on the zinc anodes which I scrub with a toothbrush. Also spray a generous amount of SaltAway in the hole just for preventative measures. I stopped using SaltAway when flushing the motor after about 200 hours on the motor. Just felt it wasn't needed.

The motor is in excellent running condition. I just assumed my flushing method is safe but wanted to hear your thoughts.


Apologize to the OP for sneaking this message into their post.