Eureka! She Runs! (Muff Question from Newbie)

[Surfly]

I had doubts about my new (used) '94 Seaswirl with the 4.3 OMC, but she actually fired up--on muffs--just fine. Forward and reverse seem to work, so I'm thrilled. I thought I might've bought a complete lemon. Maybe it's just a partial lemon!

Anyway, is there a limit to running on muffs? I ran about 10 minutes, never beyond the fast idle setting. I had the hose hooked up to the muffs and water was coming out the squirt hole on the right side of the drive and also coming out underneath the drive itself. I assume this is all normal. Should I be looking for anything else?

Thanks!

 

[Zackman]

Re: Eureka! She Runs! (Muff Question from Newbie)

Surfly, most people say never go above idle speed when on muffs. Also, don't engage the drive for safety reasons, hopefully this was a one time deal.

I normally flush until my temperture gauge levels out so I know the thermostat has open and I am getting a complete flush. For me, this is about 160 F and normally takes 10 - 15 minutes.

Read your last post... This should be a great first boat for you, enjoy.

 

[QC]

Re: Eureka! She Runs! (Muff Question from Newbie)

I rev mine a little to get some heat into her, say 1100 RPM. If there is good spray still getting "around" your muffs then you're not starving the water pump.

Also, you can minimize most of the safety issue of putting her in gear by simply removing the prop. You should anyway to make sure you can get the prop off when you have to Don't forget to grease the shaft. I like to get some heat into the drive before changing fluids and I want to make sure that she shifts before I put her in the water etc.

 

[Surfly]

Re: Eureka! She Runs! (Muff Question from Newbie)

Thanks, I didn't think of checking the temp gauge to verify open thermostat.

If the "safety reasons" are related to the prop, I should say that mine was off. Since this was my first time running the engine, I wanted to confirm that the drive would engage forward and reverse.

 

[QC]

Re: Eureka! She Runs! (Muff Question from Newbie)

Ahhh . . . great minds . . .

 

[Zackman]

Re: Eureka! She Runs! (Muff Question from Newbie)

Ahh, remove the prop... brilliant!

Sorry, I wasn't thinking (guess I'm not one of those great minds type). I take the props off only occassional to lubricate, but flush after each trip.