I have 1 1990 Hunter 27 with an 8HP Tohatsu. Took it in for a water punp change and found out that the water passages were almost blocked with corrosion. The service center is primarily for trailered boats that can be easily flushed after a day of use. The engine tilts to get out of the water, and is closer to horizontal than vertical at that point. Who has found a good way to flush the engine that way? Just not having a lot of success with the generic "ear muff" type of flushing unit. The service center suggests putting it in a large trash can full of fresh water. Just can't imagine doing that after every sail. The engine only weighs 60 lbs. but its still a bear to disconnect it from the battery, remote, and switch.
Flushing outboards
- Thread starter Kevin Bladsacker
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Outboard flushing
Kevin On an old Honda 7.5 hp four stroke on our former C25, the PO had purchased a large plastic paint bucket. By sizing the length of the line to the bucket, the bucket was placed (empty) underneath the skeg of the engine. Then we filled the bucket with water from the dock hose, ran the engine for a few minutes and shut it off. Tilted the bucket or just slid the line off the engine and we were done. It's easier than taking the engine off, take the bucket to the engine. Stu
Kevin On an old Honda 7.5 hp four stroke on our former C25, the PO had purchased a large plastic paint bucket. By sizing the length of the line to the bucket, the bucket was placed (empty) underneath the skeg of the engine. Then we filled the bucket with water from the dock hose, ran the engine for a few minutes and shut it off. Tilted the bucket or just slid the line off the engine and we were done. It's easier than taking the engine off, take the bucket to the engine. Stu
flushing plug
My 8 horse Tohatsu has a screw on the lower leg that is for a flushing plug. I got one at Boaters World for about $7.00. It is sold as for Nissan engines but they are exactly the same. I keep it attached to a short (1 foot) piece of hose with a female hose thread on the other end. Just take out the screw, screw in the plug and attach the garden hose. Turn the water on and your in business. Way easier than the muffs. Just make sure you remove the correct screw. It looks a lot like the one for the oil. As I recall, it is labeled "flush".
My 8 horse Tohatsu has a screw on the lower leg that is for a flushing plug. I got one at Boaters World for about $7.00. It is sold as for Nissan engines but they are exactly the same. I keep it attached to a short (1 foot) piece of hose with a female hose thread on the other end. Just take out the screw, screw in the plug and attach the garden hose. Turn the water on and your in business. Way easier than the muffs. Just make sure you remove the correct screw. It looks a lot like the one for the oil. As I recall, it is labeled "flush".
Flush Plug
Do you run the engine in the lifted position when you flush it? Seems like it could still suck in brackish lake water if down. I'm afraid I might drop the plug as well. The bucket idea is tempting as well. Main is is to avoid a repeat of the corrosion the PO left me.
Do you run the engine in the lifted position when you flush it? Seems like it could still suck in brackish lake water if down. I'm afraid I might drop the plug as well. The bucket idea is tempting as well. Main is is to avoid a repeat of the corrosion the PO left me.
Kevin
My outboard is up on a bracket out of the water when I run it for flushing but I wouldn't think it would harm it to run in the tilted up position as long as the water was on. But I don't know. Maybe you could check with Tohatsu or a local outboard mechanic. On the other hand, if you have plenty of hose pressure and ran it in the down position I don't think you would suck up any raw water. Leave the hose running when you turn off the engine until after you tilt the engine up and it should be all good. If you keep the plug permamently attached to a short piece of hose it won't be too hard to drop. What you have to worry about dropping is the screw you need to remove to put in the plug. I would recommend having an extra on hand. P.S. Have you made sure the zinc is in good shape to reduce corrosion?
My outboard is up on a bracket out of the water when I run it for flushing but I wouldn't think it would harm it to run in the tilted up position as long as the water was on. But I don't know. Maybe you could check with Tohatsu or a local outboard mechanic. On the other hand, if you have plenty of hose pressure and ran it in the down position I don't think you would suck up any raw water. Leave the hose running when you turn off the engine until after you tilt the engine up and it should be all good. If you keep the plug permamently attached to a short piece of hose it won't be too hard to drop. What you have to worry about dropping is the screw you need to remove to put in the plug. I would recommend having an extra on hand. P.S. Have you made sure the zinc is in good shape to reduce corrosion?
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