New 290 AJ owner, how to flush engine?

[bmorehokie]

Hello, I am new to the boards, I just took possession of my 290 Amberjack earlier today. It is a 2002 with about 250 hours.

I have the BIII 5.0L MPI engines, and was wondering is there a factory installed flush kit, or will I have to install something else to flush the engines? Thanks in advance!

 

[bmorehokie]

Anyone have an idea?

 

[Redhook98]

No, there is no factory installed flush kit on these (from the factory). You will have to add your own. Otherwise you will have to pull it and hook it up to a set of muffs to flush it.

The flush kits are not hard to install though. Run the water lines up the dunnage box and you'll have easy access to flush it without even opening the engine compartment.

 

[tobnpr]

I just joined the I/O crowd. Owned single and twin outboards and straight inboards, but never an I/O. No lift either, in saltwater.

Alpha drives- manual says to raise to trailer position, put on the muff(s), lower the engine and start/flush (in the water). Luckily I can reach mine from the platform. Unfortunately, I can't use a flush kit with the Alpha's because of the lower unit impellers.

 

[Bucit]

I Unfortunately, I can't use a flush kit with the Alpha's because of the lower unit impellers.

I have the Alpha drives, boat in salt water and the boat is lift kept but flushing with muffs is a PITA. I have been an outboard boater most of my life and flushed without muffs. I cannot grasp why on an outboard where the impeller is in the outdrive (same as an Alpha drive) and we had a flush system that we can't have a flushing system for the Alpha drives? I've researched for mnay hours and can;t get a good answer. :huh:

 

[trade wins]

I think its because impellers would be turning dry and would burn up without water flowing through them. Im going to have same issue when I move my boat to lift next year .

 

[saltydogz]

If you have Groco Seacocks you can add their Flush kits...
"Intended for installation into the top of any existing seacock, ssc provides easy access to the cooling sytem for routine maintenance or for emergency bilge pumping. Once the seacock is closed, the quick-release plug in the flush kit can be easily removed, enabling the connected engine to function as an emergency high-capacity bilge pump, ejecting high bilge water overboard through the cooling system. The service adaptor (included) provides an easy threaded connection for dockside water or adding antifreeze for winterization"

I added these to all of my seacocks (both engines, gen, ac, bait station). Got them from Defender http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|311|314198&id=208080