98 Sportster 1800 flush

[Dvesky]

New to the forum and appreciate the help ahead of time.

When flushing the cooling system with fresh water, what is the recommended amount of time for each engine to be running with hose attached and water flowing?

Also as I have read in the manual are these the proper steps?

-connect hose to capped upper connection port
-start engine
-run water (time?)
-stop water flow
-kill engine

 

[lurtz]

It is my understanding that you don't want to run the engine with the boat out of the water for more then a few minutes because the carbon ring that keeps the water from coming through the hull where the drive shaft exits to the pump needs water to lubricate and keep cool. If you burn this up you will have to replace or you will risk allowing water into the engine bay. You should only need to run it for less then a minute, the cooling system does not have that much water capacity.

If you are running in saltwater, you may want to research using a flushing fluid like salt away. Here is a thread explaining a salt water flush: https://www.seadooforum.com/showthr...lease-2006-GTX-Lim&highlight=salt+water+flush



From another thread on the forum explaining the function of the carbon ring.
Also, user pwgsx explains in another thread how the float ring prevents water from getting into the engine bay: "The 2 o rings inside the metal "top hat" seal water from entering the hull. The carbon ring and top hat of the float ring are cooled and lubed by the water. This is why you cant run your ski out of water for too long." (thread link: http://www.seadooforum.com/showthrea...ht=carbon+ring)

 

[snikwad003]

If you use those ports then you need to pinch off the lines leading to the transom, if it's on the trailer then it's way easier to just use the connections on the transom and leave the caps on the upper ones. If you put a pincher on the line coming from the jet pump you guarantee you are flushing the water in the exhaust out instead of all the flow exiting the jet pump and not flowing through the exhaust. That part isn't in the manual but if you try it for your self you will see what I am saying. 1 min of run time will keep the carbon seal from over heating since it does not have any water to cool it. And yes engine on-water on-water off-engine off. A few blips of the throttle after you're done helps blow excess water out of the exhaust. :cheers:

 

[Dvesky]

I've searched for the connections on the transom with no avail. The only thing I've noticed is the bilge port that's looks similar but obviously is not what I'm looking for. Where are the ports located I may just be missing something here..

 

[lurtz]

I dont own an 1800 but on my sportster the port is to the upper left side of the jet jump.

 

[snikwad003]

Mine is a 97 challenger 1800 but the 98 manual is the same for the challenger 1800 and the sportster 1800 here is a foto of the back of mine it's the 2 white garden hose fittings above and to the right and above the jet pumps
The one at the very top next to the ladder leg is the bilge pump. Don't mind the janky winky reverse bucket haven't had time to drop the bar off at the SS welder guy:cheers: