Perko Flush Pro not Drawing RV Antifreeze Into Engine

[Tcheairs]

I recently installed Perko Flush Pros on my Crusader (350 7.4) inboard closed system engines for the purpose of winterizing with RV antifreeze. I started an engine with the raw water intake open and confirmed good raw (fresh) water flow through the cooling system. I then shutdown the engine and closed the raw water intake. I connected an 8' length of garden hose to the female hose receptacle on the Flush Pro and inserted the other end into a bucket containing one gallon of RV pink antifreeze. I started the engine and disappointedly noted that no antifreeze was being drawn into the Flush Pro and the the system.

Was I missing a step here? Should the bucket contain more antifreeze to help prime the system? Would it be necessary to prime the garden hose or should the engine pump impeller automatically syphon the antifreeze into the Flush Pro and thus the system? I can't find any good YouTube videos of the process as it applies to my closed cooling system.

Thanks in advance for any tips in helping me get the winterization process going. It's late in the season now and I'm praying for no electricity loss at my slip.

 

[DavidM]

Maybe the r/w impeller is worn or missing blades.

But in addition to checking the impeller, try this:

As before start the engine with the seawater valve open and the flush pro closed. Make sure that you are getting good seawater flow.

Then open the flush pro valve and immediately close the seawater valve.

David

 

[Unclematt]

I always put the supply bucket above the engine so gravity helps feed the strainer.

 

[Tcheairs]

Plenty of raw water flowing with the engine driven pump. No way to close and open Flush Pro. It has a one way check valve inside which should open with suction. Maybe I should try a sump pump in the antifreeze bucket to force the antifreeze into the Flush Pro..what do you think?

 

[Tcheairs]

no way to place bucket above the engine without setting it ON TOP of the engine while running. Not comfortable with that.

 

[Shrew]

You likely need to prime the 8 feet of hose. I also doubt that the pump can lift the AF, so place the bucket level or higher than the pump.

I would place an inline shutoff on the hose.

 

[Taras]

another idea that will work will be to fill the garden hose with antifreeze and then blow with your mouth on the end of the garden hose to force the AF into the raw water pump. This will prime the system

 

[Tcheairs]

Problem turned out to be a stuck check valve in the water hose attachment on the Flush Pro. Sucked the bucket of antifreeze dry without priming anything...Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Comodave]

Yes, the water pumps on our last boat would suck a 5 gallon bucket dry in about a minute. Haven’t winterized our current boat so not sure about it.