Flushing of exhaust "risers"

[2004196]

Anyone flush these out? Meaning hook a hose to the front fitting and flush the rust particles out through the back by removing the rear brass plugs? Is there any danger in doing of this I am not thinking of? Removed my plugs to drain for the season and had some rust particles in the water, not much but just thought flushing all of that out would be better than having it in there possibly impeding any water flow when running. Good idea or not recommended??

Thanks for any input/advice in advance.

Ron

[TxJole]

I wouldnt might fill the block.

[81nautique]

Realistically you can just run the boat on the hose for a few seconds with those plugs out and it will flush it out. Gonna throw water and crap everywhere, not sure I'd worry about it unless it was really bad and affecting cooling.

[DanielC]

I have done this. This is one of the things you can do for your boat that a dealer will never take the time to do. While messing with exhaust manifolds, take the time to check if the manifold to head bolts are all tight. The back lower end of the exhaust manifold is a dead end where any rusty particles can accumulate.

There is a very slight possibility water could back up into the exhaust port of the engine. Starting the engine will prevent this. Poke a wire up into the exhaust manifold, where the drain plug is, to stir up anything caught in there. Use a plastic lid, or even a sheet of cardboard to make sure the rusty crud goes into the bilge, and not on your carpet.

[2004196]

Thanks Daniel, I am pretty anal, OK, real anal, I am going to pick up a couple 90 brass fittings to screw into the back end that has a slip hose end comming out, attach about 5' or so of plastic tubing and run over each side of boat. Going to take your tip on using a coat hanger or like to help stir up the crud, just feel this is a good prentative measure but may not make any long term effect. My only concern was how easy, if at all, water could back up into the ehxaust ports, will start boat as you suggest. I have no issues on cooling, just didn't like the feel, and now the thought, of that crap in there.

Thanks,

Ron