5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

[TrentD]

hopefully someone here can help me with this, I have twin 5.7 and there re two connections on the back of the boat (female) water hose connection each one runs to a separate engine before teeing ang going into each side of the block (on the bottom) one side actually connects where the temp sending unit is (I think) that's what it is, ther is a electrical harness on it anyways.........how do I use this, and can I somehow it to simplify winterization , the boat is going to be in the water over winter and also what all is this flushing, just the block? You would think it would do the risers too that would be the major advantage of this, and how does it keep from back flowing out the hoses? And if I can use it with antifreeze how do I get it to pull it in? And can I or should I start the boat while using it, I'm truly confused and would like someone to enlighten me on how this works and how I can rep the benefits, I got the boat off the Chesapeake and now it's up in the river about 75 to 80 miles which is fresh water I think.

 

[JoLin]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

First, I'd post this question in the Volvo-Penta forum. Hopefully one of the mods will move it there.

Are these engines fresh-water or raw water cooled? It sounds to me like the transom fittings are indeed for flushing the engines with fresh water, but I'm no expert. And, unless they're fresh water cooled (closed cooling system with heat exchanger and anti-freeze), keeping the boat in the water all winter means you'll have to drain the blocks after every use.

Second, I'd go to the V-P store and buy an owner's manual for your engines.

http://www.volvopentastore.com/

Good Luck!

 

[TrentD]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

I have a vp manual for my engine and it has nothing in it about this flushing system, it is a raw water cooled engines

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

It's not OEM, probably a previous owners idea. Some models did have a flush hose (Inside and on the engine) for flushing the block, but it also had a Tee and went to the other side of the block as well.
Sounds like someone was flushing the boat when out of the water without getting into the boat and without running it. but, they were only doing one side of each engine if it's hooked as you say.
Also, that is not a temp sender, probably the knock sensor if it's on the side of the block.

 

[TrentD]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

Each hose tees and goes to each side of each block, so lets say for simplification purposes it has a single engine....the hose tees and goes to EACH side of the block, is this good or bad it's it worth using? The boat is 32feet i don't think it was out of the water very often

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

Well, if it goes to both sides of the block, then you can flush the engines with it. Just hook a hose up and turn it on and let it run for 10 or 15 minutes. If the boat was/is in salt water, then it's probably how they flushed the engines after use without having to open the engine hatches or running the engines.

 

[TrentD]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

So do not run while using, and can I force anti freeze through them?

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

So do not run while using, and can I force anti freeze through them?

In a word, NO. The thermostat is closed, so you get very little flow through the engine, that's why you run the hose for 10 or 15 minutes. Do you have that much antifreeze?
For winterizing a raw water system, you drain the system first. Then if you have the strong desire to put antifreeze in it, go for it. With your setup, you have to pull the hoses off the block to drain, and make sure the holes aren't blocked by rust, dirt, etc. Hard to do with all those fittings on there.

 

[TrentD]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

I wonder if it would be in my best interest to modify the plumbing system to go in before the water pump then I could warm the engine till the stats open and start pouring AF ? I'm trying to think of a way to make this simple, it's a pain to move the table and seats to get down in there I saw the parts list from Volvo to switch it to the modem flushing system, is that something I could use to winterize

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

The flushing system usually gets clogged with sand and debris and has been the cause of many a cracked block.If you insist on keeping the boat in the water all winter,Block off the transom water inlet fitting,Drain the block and manifolds(poke around in the fittings to remove the crud)Then fii the block and manifolds with R/V antifreeze

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

I wonder if it would be in my best interest to modify the plumbing system to go in before the water pump then I could warm the engine till the stats open and start pouring AF ?

Running antifreeze into a raw water cooled engine is not the way to do it. Just like running on muffs, the thermostat is not all the way open and the engine gets very little antifreeze as most of it goes through the manifolds (Path of least reisistance).
I would guess that about half the people that try running AF through muffs or like you are saying end up with a cracked block. Good manifolds but cracked block.

Forget the AF, learn to drain the blocks and the rest of the cooling system and forget it. No Toxic Antifreeze in the water either.

Draining the cooling system is a lot easier than pulling an engine.

 

[TrentD]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

Year I'm starting to realize I'm just gonna have to drain the blocks and hoses its not worth the risk I guess I can always use those fittings as a selling point for use in salt water, or if I churn up some mud it would get stuff I possibly sucked up out.

I'm not sure what ensign is talking about I'm just gonna winterized it like I did my trailer able 5.7 pull plugs and hoses blow with compressed air I don't know that being stored in the water would make a huge difference, should I store drives down or up

 

[Don S]

Re: 5.7Gsi PEFS ENGINE BLOCK FLUSH WTH?

Leave the drive down. If the water freezes, the ice can cut the bellows with the drive down, there is minimum exposure of the bellows to ice.