Flushing Motor

[Victor]

I have a Honda 225 V-Tec. The manual tells me to flush the motor by connecting a garden hose directly to an inlet provided on the motor without starting the motor. During the winter months I don't use the boat as frequently as I do during the summer months. I would like to start my motor every now and then when it is not in use. Can I flush this particular motor using the old fashion method of connecting the suction cups hose connector (sorry I don't know what it is called ) to the motor and run the motor a bit.

[seabob4]

23,
ABSOLUTELY!  It is better to run them on "ear muffs" anyway, as the water is drawn in through the pickup and water pump the same way it occurs when you're out on the water.

Every motor we install gets run on muffs.  We never hook up to the hose port, no matter what brand.  And we run EVERY motor we install...sometimes one is NFG right out of the box!

Bob C

[Victor]

Bob,

I have put about 60 hours on this motor in a 17 month period. I have only flushed using the hose port because of what I read in the manual (a minimum of 30 min. after each use). Do you think that I have caused any internal damage to the water pump or any other part of the motor because I haven't used the ear muffs to flush?

[seabob4]

23,
No, you haven't caused any damage, the hose inlet is teed to feed the pump and impeller as well.  It is just that by using muffs, you mimic real world conditions, which can be a dead giveaway to water intake passage clogging, if it should arise.  The hose port won't let you see that.

[Victor]

Thank you.

[Victor]

I have a Honda 225 V-Tec. The manual tells me to flush the motor by connecting a garden hose directly to an inlet provided on the motor without starting the motor. During the winter months I don't use the boat as frequently as I do during the summer months. I would like to start my motor every now and then when it is not in use. Can I flush this particular motor using the old fashion method of connecting the suction cups hose connector (sorry I don't know what it is called ) to the motor and run the motor a bit.

How often should I start my motor during the months that she is not in use (using the ear muffs)? And for how long should I let her run?

[seabob4]

I'd run it at least once a week, preferably twice.  Let her run for about 20-30 minutes, mostly at idle, with some throttle-only bumps up to about 1500 RPM for a couple of minutes at a time, gives her a chance to get up to temp and burn off some of the deposits in the cylinders.  Shift her into gear, both fwd and rev to give the gears a chance to distribute the lower unit oil.

Besides, it's always nice to hear the exhaust note, even though there may be ice on the water...

[Victor]

Thanks Bob.

[seabob4]

I'm sure Hugh will chime in soon...probably about sticking the water hose up his mouth and estimating water pressure due to how hard his head bounces off the brick wall behind him...

[brad1951]

Oh is that how its done, I thought you stuck the hose up the other end and waited to see how long it took for your eyes to water. 

[seabob4]

I think we need to wait and see...I sure the expert will show up and tell us the "correct" method of doing EVERYTHING that has anything to do with a boat....

[seabob4]

Oh is that how its done, I thought you stuck the hose up the other end and waited to see how long it took for your eyes to water. 

Brad,
Good one..had to think about it for a minute or two!  You guys have any luck today?

[Victor]

You guys are great! How did you guys do today Brad?

[seabob4]

Victor,
Unfortunately, the "luck" had to do with installing new headliner material in a 20 Express.  Didn't go too well Thursday...wish it was about fishing!

[Hugh]

Now Bob, I never, in any of my posts, declared that the way I did things was the correct way.  In fact, I've been very careful to qualify my opinions as being just that-my opinions, realizing that there are qualified experts such as yourself and Brad to answer technical questions.

I'm here strictly for entertainment value.

Sincerely,
Dr. Emilio Lizardo

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