Does marina always flush engines?

john john

Seaman
Joined
Nov 26, 2011
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62
Found low hour, 38, boat in Florida. 2010 model with inboard merc. Looking at pictures, it seems to be stored at marinemax indoors. Does this mean the boat would be flushed each time by marina as normal practice? Does owner have to ask each time? Sure I would be told it was flushed every time. Can survey tell if there would be any problems.
 

southkogs

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Jul 7, 2010
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Not sure exactly what you're asking, but if you're looking at a boat for sale by the dealer - then chances are they've gone through it and flushed the engine if needed.

If you're looking at boat for sale by owner and asking if the marina flushed it automatically every time it was placed in storage, I would doubt it. The owner would have to ask for it.

A survey will go a long way in identifying potential problems.
 

agallant80

Commander
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
2,328
I wouldn't hold my breath that a dry stack marina flushes the motor after each use. I have spent pleanty of nights at them and not once have I seen them do anything more than pull it out and put it back on the rack.
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Found low hour, 38, boat in Florida. 2010 model with inboard merc. Looking at pictures, it seems to be stored at marinemax indoors. Does this mean the boat would be flushed each time by marina as normal practice?

You would have to ask them if they did it. But I wouldn't expect proof to be available unless they kept some sort of records with a checklist etc.....(don't count on it)

The only way to tell if an engine was 'flushed' would be to know how old the manifolds, block and risers are, and do a visual inspection of the cooling passages. That would mean pulling the risers, intake manifold, circulating pump etc, and looking.

Only then could an experienced "surveyor" estimate the life remaining in the raw water areas (from the amount of rust buildup) . That person might also be able to "guestimate" if the engine + associated components were flushed with fresh water and/or if salt-away (or equiv) was used.....

I am not sure if they do that. It would be a pretty big job to pull enough cooling parts off the engine.

If the boat has closed cooling, it would simplify everything and make the risers the only problem area (then I would only want to know how old they are)

With open cooling, I would still want to know how old the risers and manifolds are. If you (or the inspector) pulled the risers and looked, you could get a pretty good idea how clogged the block might be........

Good luck,


Rick
 
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