Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

[hd883chopper]

Hey everyone, definitely a newbie question here. I've looked all over the internet and I just couldn't find what I'm looking for. I've owned and flushed outboards before, but this is my first I/O.

I have a 350 cui GM motor with a Volvo outdrive.

I wanted to perform a flush in my driveway, so I bought the dual outlet muffs. I hooked them up to the lower unit (small vertical vents nearest the transom). I fired up the hose then fired up the motor. My concern is that I did not see any water being pushed out of the exhause or anywhere near the lower unit......

Where should the water come spit out once its circulating?

On my outboards it was pretty obvious. Little hose right below the motor would stream water out. But I had no evidence of water shooting out of this set up.

Need a little advice.

BTW, Great site here. I've learned alot just trolling through the last few weeks. Thanks!

HD.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

Which Volvo drive do you have?

 

[hd883chopper]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

Which Volvo drive do you have?

I'm a little embarassed to admit that... I really don't know. I've included a few pics. Hopefully that will help identify it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51061907@N02/5009867219/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51061907@N02/5010473148/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51061907@N02/5010473316/

 

[hd883chopper]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

Which Volvo drive do you have?

Ok, I found an old workshop manual buried in a box.

The cover says:
"Aquamatic Models 280-290-290A and duoprop"

I'm not really sure which of these models mine is.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

also depends on what 350 cid GM package you have, may have a flush device right there on the fwd stbd side to attach the hose to.
may also use a thru hull fitting for raw water and NOT the lower unit.

 

[hd883chopper]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

also depends on what 350 cid GM package you have, may have a flush device right there on the fwd stbd side to attach the hose to.
may also use a thru hull fitting for raw water and NOT the lower unit.

Thanks. I checked the engine area and followed the water hoses but didn't see any type of fitting.

I also checked under the boat and didn't see any type of thru hull fitting. Unless the trailer bunks are covering it... is there a standard or typical location for the thru hull fitting just to verify whether I have one or not?

I'm pretty sure I don't but it doesn't hurt to know for sure.

So if this set-up does pull fresh water from the lower unit, where would it come out when flushing?

 

[hd883chopper]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

Just read something on another iboat thread that said I needed to plug up the weep hole at the bottom of the unit. Then the water from my muffs would get pulled in and hence I would see water spraying out from the exhaust flap.

Does blocking the weep hole sound like a good idea? I'm just nervous to run it again with the muffs again unless I see water spraying out of the motor.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

sounds like another idiotic net myth.
the water flowing out that lower hole will plug it.
thats why when you turn on the muff water full blast that weep hole is shooting a stream, when you start the engine it should diminish some.
however if its drawing cooling water through the lower unit and the oring at the swivel tube leaks, it overheats.was and is a weak link with the 270 and up units.

 

[adeneo]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

sounds like another idiotic net myth.

It may sound like it, but it's not. Plug the hole and make sure you get the muffs as tight as possible. The raw water pump will not suck up the water if it's drawing in air instead.

Check the impeller before you start it up. Run the engine til it's warm enough for the termostat too open, and you should see water coming out of the exhaust flap. Watch the temperature gauge to make sure it's not overheating.

I'm just nervous to run it again with the muffs again unless I see water spraying out of the motor.

I'd be more nervous if I actually had water spraying out of the motor, but could be just me.

 

[hd883chopper]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

It may sound like it, but it's not. Plug the hole and make sure you get the muffs as tight as possible. The raw water pump will not suck up the water if it's drawing in air instead.

Check the impeller before you start it up. Run the engine til it's warm enough for the termostat too open, and you should see water coming out of the exhaust flap. Watch the temperature gauge to make sure it's not overheating.

Thanks for the info. Since there is a disagreement on this, I'm hoping some others will chime in on whether or not to plug that weep hole when flushing.

I'd be more nervous if I actually had water spraying out of the motor, but could be just me.

LOL - Yes, I agree I should have been more specific. I'll feel more comfortable when I see water spraying out of the exhaust flaps. That answered one of my questions 'cause I wasn't sure where I should be looking. Thanks!

HD.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

With the volvo setup, having the raw water pump on the front of the engine can make it a little harder for it to draw water up to the pump. You can try to seal the muffs to the out drive so it forces some water up to the pump or you can put the O/D in a big water bath(IE, garbage can). With the bath, make sure the water is the same height on the o/d as it would be if the boat was in the water.

Either way, check out the impeller to see if its burnt up. It takes a few minutes to do on a volvo.

Thanks for those pictures BTW. Weve got a boat with that same out-drive and its never been out of the water. The OD has been flying up so Im going to make a bracket to hold them down. Gotta install it with the boat in the water.

 

[hd883chopper]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

Either way, check out the impeller to see if its burnt up. It takes a few minutes to do on a volvo.

Can I check it somehow without disassembling it?

I ran the motor for about 2 minutes. Maybe a little less. I watched my water temp rise to 150 degrees then since I still didn't see any noticable water spraying out the exhaust flap, I went ahead and shut the motor down.

Btw, the muffs were on the the vents the whole time with the water rushing like mad. Just not sure if it was actually getting in there or not.

Can I check it somehow without disassembling it?

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

Just take the cover off of the impeller. Its on the crank pulley on the front of the engine. If its been more then 2-3 years since its been replaced it needs to be done anyway.

Its possible the impeller was getting enough water to not burn up but not go through the exhaust.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Flushing with hose - Volvo I/O

And yes, plug the drain hole at the bottom