Flushing water thru 4-stroke 115 outboard

[Jen32258]

We have our boat up on a lift at a friends. I wanted to flush the motor but I’d have to trim it up to do so - otherwise if I start the motor in the straight position it’ll pull up a lot of nasty creek water. Wondering if anyone knows if that is okay? I don’t ‘want to throw a rod

if it helps it is a fairly “newer” motor (I think 2016).

[Harper]

What procedure do you plan to use in flushing....running it with muffs?

[Jen32258]

No....hose directly in to side.

[Harper]

That's where I thought you were going. You won't be or should NOT be flushing through the side port with the motor running. I assume that's what you mean, else you wouldn't be concerned about drawing water up from the creek. The side ports are not for flushing with the motor running, only for flushing water through the block with the motor turned off. The only way to flush with the motor running is with muffs or with the intakes in the lower unit submerged in a barrel or tub of some sort. Operating the motor while using the side port causes the water pump to turn while dry, and risks damaging the impeller.

And running the motor tilted up a ways won't hurt anything.

[Jen32258]

okay - thanks for the advice!