Flushing an outboard on the earmuffs.

[swof63]

Grill no 2 in yr pic is an outlet so that ain't the problem. The no 1 inputs on both sides are where the water is drawn in.

If your motor is a Vmax, I have seen pics where the Vmax has two sets of water inlets, the ones (1's) in your photo and also two more at the front of the bullet ( gear case) like the current 4.2lt four stroke yammies. If that's the case these front inlets are connected so the water in (1) will just fall out the front ones. You either need a barrel to immerse the leg in and cover both sets of inputs or use the hose attachment. My F225F ( 4.2lt) user manual only recommends hose attachment flushing and never earmuffs because of this.

If you don't have theses bullet inlets you have another issue.

Cheers

[PROS]

My outboard has fairly new impellor and have a very strong telltale return when the engine is running at sea.

I have done a bit of trial error testing this afternoon using awkard bucket setup as well as earmuffs.
Telltale works as long as grill#1 is submerged in bucket.
#2 has no affect.

No luck with earmuffs.

Earmuffs has 2x 90 degree turn and connection hoses are fairly small.
Looks like combined effort of not sealing properly and poor earmuff performance is limiting the pressure on water intake.
Will try with a friend's loan earmuffs later this week to see if that solves the problem.

I think I better find a proper bucket for flushing.
Even though the Yamaha dealer that service the outboard says garden hose attachment is sufficient, I still have doubts.

Max

[lembo]

Just make this clear and add my 2 cents in how I flush mine and what I think is the best way. Just making clear never run your outboard with the water connected to the hose connection. It will make your rubber impeller run dry and burn out and can warp your impeller housing. Just in case anyone didn't know as I've seen it done before.
Secondly , how I flush is I have a big blue drum cut in half I slide it under leg and fill up to cav plates or above then take cowling off and pop off tell tail hose so it pumps back into the drum, start motor and let it warm up so thermostat opens fully so there's good flow through block then put salt away or salt x or even vinegar in the drum and let that circulate for about half hour, only way you will get salt buildup off is with a bit of heat and a salt away type product, it also forms a film to stop future buildup.
Do tap connection for a quick flush if your not near home or something but fresh water is not enough.
as for the original heat question, is the water coming out your through prop exhaust at least warm ?

[Darren Mc]

Hey lembo, yes the water coming out of the prop exhaust is warm.

[stevemid]

My boat lives on a mooring so I flush with on-board water using this system: http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/sho...=1#post1546538 I flush with sweet water for 3 minutes then with salt away for 3 minutes using the flushing attachment on the side of the motor. I'm going to look for any salt buildup in the engines at the 100 hour service. I have been told that the most sensitive instrument in the world to test for the presence of salt is the human tongue. After 15 seconds of flushing, I can taste no salt coming out of the tell tales. BTW water from the flusher does apparently run down the to the impellor but I'll also be checking that at the 100 hour service

[Gumby_III]

Hi Pros

I have a 2004 vmax hdpi that I flush with earmuffs and water comes out the tell tale. If I'm worried about water pressure I do hold the ear muff on a bit tighter for a better deal.

Mark

[Darren Mc]

I also find if i hold the muff's down with my hands to create a better seal before i start the outboard it helps. My water pressure is a little ordinary at my place. I hold them until water starts coming out of all the holes then quickly duck around and start her up.
This way water comes out of the tell tale straight away.

[stevej]

I have a Yamaha 50 4 stroke and had the same issue with cheap earmuffs

get your ear muffs and bash the wire with a hammer and they will seal better on a thinner gear box housing
if water pressure is too high it stays cool if I back it off it will come out luke warm

[FNQCairns]

I have been told that the most sensitive instrument in the world to test for the presence of salt is the human tongue. After 15 seconds of flushing, I can taste no salt coming out of the tell tales.

I flush in a cut wheely bin to be whisper quiet sometimes and yes a human can taste the salt still circulating in that after 15min no problem, lots of it. So I use 3 fills and 30min total to get it good enough.

Otherwise at least 10-15min at operating temp on the muffs till stop tasting salt, my daughter thinks it is comical me tasting the boats tale/exhaust water then soft swearing till finally done.

[Flex]

I had a 50hp Yamaha years ago that wouldn't prime with muffs on. Had to use a bucket over the first grill for it to pump.

i think use of a bucket is way to go, can up the revs on your motor safely to blast salt out. Without burning your impella.

A common practice in the USA is the use of vinegar once or twice a year to desalt the motor. Can guarantee that fresh water alone won't get all the salt out. Salt build up is the main cause of engine failure, motors usually have tonnes of life in them if salt wasn't an issue. It's why motors off pro boats usually get Insane hours on them as use everyday inhibits salt build up.

guys in the states whack a watered down vinegar mix through the block every so often. Turns the salt to jelly so it's easier to flush out. Anyone who says vinegar would corrode your block doesn't know their chemistry, its perfectly fine to do

or constant use of salt-away is effective as well, but expensive.

[stevemid]

Yep, because I'm on a mooring, and have to use tank water and therefore less water, I use salt away every time.. Motor get flushed first with fresh water then gets the strongest concentration of salt-away though the salt-away mixer. Then with the now more diluted salt-away I do the motor externals, then the back end of the boat, then the fishing rods and reels.

Then all the external stuff gets a quick rinse off with fresh water.


I've got 200L on board and have to refill that every 2-3 times.