Flushing bags

Steve51

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
35
Dumb question alert!!

Hi what is the opinion on flushing bags please like the Seaworks Flushing Bag or similar.

I have a Bravo 3 sterndrive and need to flush ashore. My old tank for the Volvo is a fraction too small so thinking of replacing with a bag.

I know most use flush muffs but my yard water tap is at least 50 metres away and I have never used muffs before..

Or would flush muffs be a better option as getting a bag or tank to fit could be difficult as I am not on a trailer and the height of the tank shouldn’t exceed about 25 inches (620mm). If so, please could you recommend muffs as I have heard stories that they do not always work well and can cause overheating?

Apologies but this sterndrive is new to me.

Thank you.
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
15,864
never heard of a flushing bag, assume it dumps into the topside of the motor since you have not used muffs before.

Can you not move the boat to the water?


also - the water is not to keep from overheating exactly, which it does, but is there to preserve the weater impeller. It would long be toast before engine got to the overheat stage.
 

Steve51

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
35
The flushing bag covers the propeller shaft and water intake holes in the sterndrive leg allowing flushing of saltwater with clean fresh water and also using Salt Away engine flush.
 

redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 18, 2009
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15,864
i googled it.

How do you get water to it currently?

And seems like you would have to change the water a couple times or you are just mixing salt in with fresh?
 

Steve51

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
35
OK this is where it gets complicated.

This is a re-power with a brand new engine and sterndrive.

I need to know whether the engine starts and runs with no error codes before launching as this has the added complication that it needs a full survey due to structural work before launching. A 5 minute test in a tank would be fine.

Flushing with muffs looks like 2 kits. I for the water leg intake and the other low water intake??

Do others just use the water intake muffs?
 
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redneck joe

Supreme Mariner
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Mar 18, 2009
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I know every mercruiser i have owned regular muffs were fine i know nothing of B3 but would assume the same. Others will have specific experience with B3's.

Also, never owned a new enough engines to have codes but i do see a lot of threads about running fine on muffs but not on the water.
 

alldodge

Moderator
Staff member
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Mar 8, 2009
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44,386
Flushing bags are for outboards, the impeller is in the leg and there is no issue with it moving water. The I/O needs water pushed to it with a hose so use muffs
 

Steve51

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
35
Looks like muffs it is.
I would have difficulty getting a bag or tank with the right dimensions anyway as I have spent hours searching:rolleyes:
Thank you for your responses.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
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52,961
on a volvo with the raw water impeller mounted to the crank snout, the bag wont work.

as Alldodge pointed out, you need water pressure to push water to the impeller.

you would be better off getting a volvo neutra-salt system and just hitting the button as you come to the trailer.
 
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