BF150 Flushing with a hose doesn't completely flush the motor

[npaperman]

I've been a boat owner for 25 years and been around boats all my life having grown up in Florida. I know the importants of flushing your motor after a day on the water. I purchased an new boat with a new Honda 150 back in 04. One of the selling points was you could hook the hose up to it to flush it without running the motor and disturbing your neighbors. I've recently discovered the hard way that is not a sufficient way to flush this motor. The thermostat housing became so pitted it began to leak due to not being flushed by actually running the motor. Now I'm stuck with a pretty hefty rebuild bill. Has anyone else had a similar experience with this motor?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: BF150 Flushing with a hose doesn't completely flush the motor

Unless you have out of this world water pressure at home probably thermo will open mechanically and flush nicely powerhead, if not, you'll need to turn on that engine for thermo to open while being water heated for a proper water flush.

Happy Boating

 

[MattFL]

Re: BF150 Flushing with a hose doesn't completely flush the motor

How long did you flush for? It might take some time to get all the salt out, especially on a cold motor.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: BF150 Flushing with a hose doesn't completely flush the motor

If thermo doesn't open with high water pressure and engine off, all salt remains will bee seen around thermo area. Used to have a Evi 15 HP according to owners manual there was no need to flush while being on, when thermo was removed time after for a maintenance, salt had built layers on it and surrounding thmo area. After cleaning all salt remains to immpecable cond, that engine was flushed with engine on for 5 minutes minimum, has not formed salt layers ever since.

If you feel confortable to flush your beloved engine with engine on, do so. Place a thick plastic bag on prop housing, will lessen the noise out of that 150. If neighbors are a real PITA invite them for a water ride, will achieve much better neighbor relationship...

Happy Boating

 

[MattFL]

Re: BF150 Flushing with a hose doesn't completely flush the motor

Also check your anodes. I bought my motor new in 1999 (Honda 50hp) almost all salt use and always flush and I have no corrosion near thermostat area, but I do get white deposits on the thermostat and in the cooling passages. Galvanic corrosion is electrical and your anodes are critical,I wonder if you've actually got a problem with the anodes or the grounding wires?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: BF150 Flushing with a hose doesn't completely flush the motor

No matter for how long you flush an engine after use on the long run will form thin white salt layer deposits at thmo and internal water passages due to repeated on/off, warm/cool cycles. But that's normal if running on salt water....

Happy Boating