Question about Flushpro on Alpha 1

[AaronG]

I had a Perko Flushpro installed on my new to me 1997 Deck boat with 5.7LX Alpha 1 G2 sterndrive. I haven't used the boat yet, and I intend to keep it in a salt water slip. Since the boat will sit in a slip, the dealer I bought the boat from said this was the best flushing alternative for my raw water cooled engine. It looks like I'll have to keep the engine off when I use the flushpro, but I'm concerned that water could somehow backup through the manifolds and into the combustion chambers since there won't be any exhaust keeping it out. <br /><br />Has anyone used one of these with a sterndrive?

 

[Don S]

Re: Question about Flushpro on Alpha 1

Due to the way the risers are built, the water would have to run uphill in order to get into the engine.<br /><br />Don't worry about the "Proposed Cut" line in the drawing, has nothing to do with the process and was for a previous post.<br /><br />

 

[AaronG]

Re: Question about Flushpro on Alpha 1

Thanks Don, <br /><br />I was hopeing you'd respond. When I installed new risers/manifolds, that was the thought I had, but I didn't want to risk a $3000 engine over not asking. <br />I feel a lot better now. Do you think it will flush out the engine at all? I know it will flush the manifolds/risers, but how much fresh water do you think will gop through the engine before the thermostat stops the flow?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Question about Flushpro on Alpha 1

you wont get any through the block. within seconds of the water less than about 160* its closed.my experience with most of those flush systems is less than good. I am with Dons on the water backing up. unless your riser height is already to low there is not much chance with a normal hose.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Question about Flushpro on Alpha 1

opps<br /> hit send to soon.<br /> a friend of mine has a grady with that motor/flush system. he installed a y valve before the flusher fitting in the transom hose. he plumbed it through a metal thru hull so with the valve closed and the hose on he could run his motor. worked well until after an afternoon of maint/flushing he forgot to open the valve when done. the next trip he was reminded when the exhaust boots burned away . he dont forget now

 

[jetsetc5]

Re: Question about Flushpro on Alpha 1

Check out the posts on the west marine web site concerning cracks and sticking springs on the perko flush pro..

 

[AaronG]

Re: Question about Flushpro on Alpha 1

I read them. Sounds bad. I'll keep an eye on mine. I will say, in the 18 hours I've put on the boat, it seems to work fine. I flush it every time I come back. You know its working because the manifolds get cold. <br /><br />I wish there was a better way that also cleaned out the engine.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Question about Flushpro on Alpha 1

With only 18 hours on the engine, I would think about converting to a closed cooling system. There's one on ebay for $300.00, it will be the best money spent regarding your engines longevity

 

[AaronG]

Re: Question about Flushpro on Alpha 1

It actually has 90 hours on it now. The boat lived a strange life. It was purchased new in 1997 by an older gentleman in FL. He kept it on a lift, so it was never bottom painted, but it was also never flushed. He put 72 hours on it in a few years and put it for sale in central PA (where he moved). It took him 4-5 years to sell it. I bought it for a great price with 72 hours. Everything looked brand new except the upholstry, which was ruined by the sun while it sat at the marina for sale which I had replaced. It was run in salt water from day 1, and it was never flushed out before I bought it. In fact, one of the risers was already plugged up when I got it. I replaced the manifolds and risers, and had the lower unit re-sealed before I ever took it out. Its been trouble free. I figured since it already had rust and scale in it, a closed cooling system would just be a headache. When I repower it, I'll put a closed cooling system in it. I'm hoping it will go between 700-1000 hours. I'll put at least 100 hours on it a season. It gets run at lease twice a week (probably 5 hours a week total) and I flush it with the flush-pro every time I take it out. I think running it a lot is probably good for it.