Flushing question

[granite]

New boat owner (09 Challenger 180se). I just picked up a left over 09 and put 5 hours on it. I never owned a jet boat before and want to know as much as possible about the engine, etc.

After the first use, I flushed the system with a garden hose per the manual and have a few questions. Why can't you flush water through the cooling system without the engine on? I've been reading about winterization and have seen the option of pumping antifreeze through the flush connector (vs. pouring into main exhaust hose) as a step in the winterization. If I can pump anitifreeze without the engine on why can't you circulate water through without the engine on?

Thanks.

 

[djredman99]

Why can't you flush water through the cooling system without the engine on?

These motors use the force of the engine exhaust to drive the water out properly. With the engine not running, there is no pressure forcing the water out and you will eventually fill your engine with water, causing hydro-lock. If not dealt with immediately, you risk rusting the internals of your engine and will need to rebuild/replace.

If I can pump anitifreeze without the engine on why can't you circulate water through without the engine on?

You should not even come close to pouring enough antifreeze into your exhaust system to equal the amount of water that would enter your system by putting a hose on and letting it run for a minute.

 

[Dr Honda]

These motors use the force of the engine exhaust to drive the water out properly. With the engine not running, there is no pressure forcing the water out and you will eventually fill your engine with water, causing hydro-lock. If not dealt with immediately, you risk rusting the internals of your engine and will need to rebuild/replace.

Yep... what he said. Also... since you are a 4-stroke... to purge the water, you will need MULTIPLE oil changes to get all the water out. On a 2-stoke, it's easier to purge the water out.

You should not even come close to pouring enough antifreeze into your exhaust system to equal the amount of water that would enter your system by putting a hose on and letting it run for a minute.

Yep again.


You aren't putting it in with force, and you aren't pouring that much in.

I normally will fire the engine after putting in the anti-freeze in to expel any that may have gotten into the engine, and to fog the engine(s) though the carbs. Since it only takes a few seconds to do... you don't need the cooling water flowing.

 

[seadoo_mike]

those guy's are right, I haven't read anywhere it say's to flush through antifreeze with engine off. What I do with my 180se is the same procedure as water flushing, I have a sump pump in a bucket of 3 gallons of antifreeze, turn engine on, immediately turn on the sump pump, run the 3 gallons through which only takes about 30 seconds, turn off sump pump and then turn off engine, in that short of time there is no risk of overheating, also before I start this procedure I will use a air compressor at 100 psi through the flush connector to blow out as much water as possible.

 

[RFoster130]

I also pour it in through the top flush connector. That is also how the shop manual states to do it.

 

[scottozy]

I have a Seadoo rxp 215 2008 model. Supercharged engine. I have read in the manual something regarding engine flushing that many people I have spoken to in the business, don't know of. This is a requirement to flush engine as per usual (garden hose) but also it says to use an air hose after flushing and inject 100 psi of air pressure into the flushing connector. This is supposedly to flush water from the supercharger. I asked a jetski shop about this and the reply I get is 'HUH, what you talking about'
Can anyone shed some light on this please? -scottozy-

 

[unclejay]

Good One

Yes you have to do that to rinse out your muffler bearings NOT

After flushing, if you just run the engine 5 seconds the supercharger will blow itself clear.

 

[seadoo_mike]

I believe they are talking more about winter storage, as added security to blow 100psi air through the flush port to help get some of the water out of the exhaust and intercooloer, but I would not only do that if temps in your area get below freezing, I would also do as the manual say's to drain the intercooler, the supercharger and connected hoses should not have water in it at anytime, the charger is on the air side of the system. if you do have water in the charger then you might have a leak in the intercooler.

 

[scottozy]

Thanks guys for taking the time to reply with some valuable information. Thanks