What's the easiest way to flush 4.3 Mercruiser stern drive motors (with Alpha One drives) when boat is docked on a lift?

[Traveler643]

We very recently bought a 280 Sundancer (2002) with twin 4.3 liter Mercruiser motors and Alpha One outdrives. We're docking it at a private residence on a 10,000 lb lift.

My question is what is the best way to flush the motors? From what I have read, there are no flush kits available for the Alpha One drives because of the impeller location. So it appears there's no way for me to install something on the engines that would allow me to do the freshwater flushing from on the boat.

I also cannot reach either of the outdrives from the dock in order to muffs on it. I'm assuming other people have faced this situation before as well, and am looking for any advice you have to offer. Thanks!

 

[Lazy Daze]

To get to the outdrives, you could use a dinghy or even a small raft. You could even make a portable gangway that would quickly attach/detach to your bulkhead and float in the water at the other end. But, yes, if you're going to RUN the engines, then you must use muffs.

You could T-into the inlet water hose on the engine and use a garden hose. You will flush the manifolds, but not so much the engine (since you can't run it). You will get "a little" bit of flushing of the engine - but honestly, you'd have to let the hose run for a long time and even then it may only be a small amount - not worth the time. However, if you first drained the engines and THEN did this, it would be more effective - but I suspect it would still take quite some time.

 

[keokie]

Yep, I'm thinking Lazy Daze has it right about a dinghy, raft, gangway, etc. Might take some figuring, but a lift kept and flushed sterndrive boat is very beneficial to the one that is not.

 

[sdarc]

How far up do the drives tilt in trailer mode? Just wondering if they go up far enough to put muffs on from the swim platform.

 

[Traveler643]

I've decided to go with an inflatable dinghy to be able to put muffs on the Alpha 1 drives. How long should I be flushing fresh water through each one?

Also - I'd appreciate if someone could please walk me through the sequence step-by-step for flushing the motors, since this is our first boat. Engines still warm from just getting docked? Use some type of salt removal product or not? I'm seeing a lot of different advice.

I appreciate any help from people that have been doing this. Thanks!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Can't hurt to use Salt Away (or whatever brand). But I'm not sure I'd use it all the time - I'd probably save it for the last flush before I'd be away for a while or every so often. But it all depends on your pocket book and time.

Let them run a good 5 or 10 minutes after the thermostat opens up. Monitor the temp gauge - you can tell by watching the needle.

There's nothing special to the sequence - trim drives down and flush. Don't overthink this one

Do something to prevent the muff from sliding off (or monitor closely) - or get the better Merc muff with the rod/pin.