clearing i/o when removed from water?

[familyman1]

I am new to boating and have a good used 97 Reinell 203 mercruiser and I want to find out the best maintenance when I remove the boat each time from the water. After I remove the boat from the launch do you dry start it to remove any water in the block?

 

[thumpar]

Re: clearing i/o when removed from water?

No. You will ruin the impeller. To drain you need to open up the drains. It is not really something you need to worry about unless you run in salt. Then I would just flush it at home.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: clearing i/o when removed from water?

NEVER...NEVER...NEVER "Dry start". That goes for outboards also. The impeller is rubber. The rubber will QUICKLY(seconds) burn and distort/melt the impeller vanes without the water cooling it.

Don't worry about anything at the launch...you'll be one of "those" boaters who spend too much time in other peoples way. I usually pull the bilge plug, strap the transom and go.

When I get home...depending on the condition of the water at the landing(some of it gets pretty "gamey"!) I will hook up the muffs just to run clear, clean water through it. Unless you're in salt, I wouldn't worry about draining the block after every use either.

 

[familyman1]

Re: clearing i/o when removed from water?

Thanks so much. Sure glad I asked.

 

[thumpar]

Re: clearing i/o when removed from water?

The one thing I will add is that you do need to get the water out for winterization. If you don't get it out and it freezes the block can easily crack.