Honda bf8ah flushing with earmuffs procedure

[mickhodapp]

Does the motor need to be running when flushing the saltwater from it with the old style earmuffs ?

 

[racerone]

A stationary impeller might block flow of water.----So start it up.

 

[jgmo]

Better to put it in a trash can and let it flush itself. Just let it idle for 5 to 10 minutes keeping an eye on the water temp. Keeping cool water flowing into the can and overflowing the heated water out.
It's actually the method Honda recommends if it can be done with reasonable effort. Obviously not possible with large outboards attached to boats in the water but for a little ol' 8, it's really the way to go.

Otherwise, I think racerone makes a good point about the impeller not turning.

Whichever way you go,
Good luck

 

[kdhskiff]

Question: If the earmuff is installed, the water is running, and the engine is off, won't the water work its way up to the cylinder head and potentially enter the cylinder?

 

[jgmo]

It will travel up to the thermostat housing and be recirculated through the block but likely never through the head.

Without the heat from running the engine the tstat will remain closed, blocking flow through the head.

This wouldn't be a problem if the stat were removed but that's a lot of extra work just to flush.