Running engine with muffs?

[ProfitOfDoom]

Ok,I got everything done,except my prop is still at the shop,but it will be done monday There is no problem starting up the engine with out props on is there?
Ok if there isnt a problem starting it up without props ,Is there anything special that needs to be done?
I just checked all engine fluids ,all look good,battery charged,going to run blower for a few mins,hook up the muff run water and try to crank her up,anything else needed?
When I plug up the muff do you have to let water run for any given amount of time,or pretty much just turn water on and start?

 

[chumbley]

No need for the prop. Hook up the muffs, turn the water on, give it a few minutes, and start it up. Check for water coming out the "pee holes" in the lower unit and/or out the exhaust. If you don't see that, stop.

 

[Nehalennia]

After you attach the flush kit and turn the water on you don't have to give it a few minutes. There just needs to be water present in the flush kit at the pick up when you turn it over. There also won't be pee holes like an outboard. There are exhaust ports at the base of the gimbal ring that the ehaust and water will be coming out of. Also, I like the Mercruiser/Quicksilver flush kit there is a pin that runs through the pick up and attaches the two halves together eliminating you from knocking the flush kit off.

Chumbly is correct that if after 5-10 seconds max you do not see water turn the engine off. He is also correct that you do not need your prop on.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I agree with everything Todd said - including the muff recommendation. I would only add that if your block is dry, then it could take up to 30 seconds.

 

[Nehalennia]

I......... I would only add that if your block is dry, then it could take up to 30 seconds.

Good point Dennis.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Good point Dennis.

Thanks, Todd - the only reason I even mention it is it sounds like this is not only the first time the engine is being run for the season (don't know if there's pink in there, or not), but it also sounds like it's the first time, ever, that the OP is doing it himself.

Should we mention outdrive angle and RPM's?

 

[Nehalennia]

Thanks, Todd - the only reason I even mention it is it sounds like this is not only the first time the engine is being run for the season (don't know if there's pink in there, or not), but it also sounds like it's the first time, ever, that the OP is doing it himself.

Should we mention outdrive angle and RPM's?

Do you mean should we tell him to lower the drive all the way and not throttle up more than 1500 RPMs?

Yeah I suppose that's good to know too.
POD , the reason for this is that it's hard on your coupler if you leave the outdrive up and anything over 1500 rpms may want to draw more than your garden hose can supply.

 

[Frozen]

hows much water should be coming out of the exhaust ports? i dont really get any water out of the ports when the engine is not on. Once started i get a spray out of both exhaust ports and the prop. Its a heavy spray but i would not say its a LOT of water. Engine temps creep up to about 200 at idle but if RPM is increased they go back down to 155-160

 

[ProfitOfDoom]

I just wanted to make sure there was no starting or running problems before I take it to the river next week. I been spending a lot of time cleaning,redoing wood,making things pretty I had to made sure it would power up and go
Yea the outdrive was lowered almost level,it started up and it looked like water was coming out pretty good,I ran it twice both times for about 1 minute or less and didnt move it from idle.
Everything looked at sounded good,I hope it goes this well next week

 

[Lazy Daze]

anything over 1500 rpms may want to draw more than your garden hose can supply.

You know, I'm even wary about going much over idle (at least with my garden hose). My garden hose supplies 6.5GPM (at the hose end) and at idle (with a like new impeller) that Bravo (engine mounted) pump is pulling every last drop of water into the drive and sucking the muffs tight. I'd rather see an excess of water squirting out from the muffs.

Profit: Sounds like you've got everything under control - have a good ride!

Frozen: You've got a different set-up: 4cyl and Alpha. There will be less water coming out than us. For starters, instead of 2 banks of cylinders dumping into 2 exit holes, you've got one bank dumping into 2 holes.

To try to explain "how much" should be coming out, it's hard to effectively do it through words. However, based on your description and the fact that you're over heating, you need to replace your impeller (do the kit if you don't know the history).

 

[Frozen]

Frozen: You've got a different set-up: 4cyl and Alpha. There will be less water coming out than us. For starters, instead of 2 banks of cylinders dumping into 2 exit holes, you've got one bank dumping into 2 holes.

To try to explain "how much" should be coming out, it's hard to effectively do it through words. However, based on your description and the fact that you're over heating, you need to replace your impeller (do the kit if you don't know the history).

Thanks for the help, i'll def do the kit!

 

[Nehalennia]

You know, I'm even wary about going much over idle (at least with my garden hose). My garden hose supplies 6.5GPM (at the hose end) and at idle (with a like new impeller) that Bravo (engine mounted) pump is pulling every last drop of water into the drive and sucking the muffs tight. I'd rather see an excess of water squirting out from the muffs.

Profit: Sounds like you've got everything under control - have a good ride!

Frozen: You've got a different set-up: 4cyl and Alpha. There will be less water coming out than us. For starters, instead of 2 banks of cylinders dumping into 2 exit holes, you've got one bank dumping into 2 holes.

To try to explain "how much" should be coming out, it's hard to effectively do it through words. However, based on your description and the fact that you're over heating, you need to replace your impeller (do the kit if you don't know the history).

I run it at idle while I flush and wash the boat once we get home. When I'm ready to turn it off I occasionally run it at about 1200 for a minute to make sure flow is high and a good flush has been done. I don't do that always (maybe every 4th ot 5th time) but I've never had an issue or seen the temp raise.


Frozen
You still will want to see water coming out of both sides of your Alpha. If you're seeing temps around 200 I'd bet, like Dennis said, you are due for a new impeller.

 

[Frozen]

so why does the temp go back down once the RPM's are up?

 

[DaNinja]

so why does the temp go back down once the RPM's are up?

I had a bit of that when I had my BR200 on the muffs a month ago. My guess was she was idling a bit low after coming back from higher rpms and wasn't pulling enough water. I brought it back to around 1200 and she cooled back down. No issues at idle afterwards.

I also ran into overheating issues when I ran the boat on the hose from the front of the house. I thought the new impeller was already junk, but remembered that the line feeding that faucet had been repaired with a stint which reduced the water flow. I ran her out back with no issues.

Well...no issues besides that pesky cracked block thing.

 

[At Ease]

I replaced my impeller for the first time this year. In doing so a good bit of the pink drained from the block. So before running with the muffs, I disconnected a hose near the top of the block and added water back in the system. Even though I soaped up the new impeller, I felt better having water in the pump before starting the engine.

 

[Frozen]

Frozen
You still will want to see water coming out of both sides of your Alpha. If you're seeing temps around 200 I'd bet, like Dennis said, you are due for a new impeller.

I replaced the impeller housing and all.:grin: I now have plenty of water coming out of the starboard side, but just like a fine mist,if that coming out the port side. Is that normal?:huh: Or is there a issue with the exhaust system somewhere?:smt013

 

[Lazy Daze]

I replaced the impeller housing and all.:grin: I now have plenty of water coming out of the starboard side, but just like a fine mist,if that coming out the port side. Is that normal?:huh: Or is there a issue with the exhaust system somewhere?:smt013

Jack up your trailer on the right side and you'll probably see more water come out the port-side exhaust port.

 

[Frozen]

Jack up your trailer on the right side and you'll probably see more water come out the port-side exhaust port.

That could def be it, my driveway is def slanted to the starboard side because of draining. I will try that asap!! Lol if its that simply ill be happy but ill be :smt021 do myself

Thanks!!