MaltaBoating.com : Superflush Systems

The patented technology uses a scientifically sophisticated yet practical variable feedback responsive control and metering system to flush salt and minerals from the internal components of marine engines more effectively and conveniently than any conventional method.

The system uses an extremely effective multi-point injection strategy, and a technology known as Sequentially Pulsed Overfill Back Flush TM to achieve incomparable results, which through ease of use facilitates the flushing operation.

The Superflush unit receives water through a quick disconnect fitting on a regular garden hose, injected into the engine on each side of the thermostat's through fittings installed on the engine replacing plugs that are already in the engine or by tapping into hoses normally installed on the engines.

The engine is not run during Superflush operation. Due to the high capacity of the modern marine engine pumping systems, engine cavity and exhaust components are not completely filled with water using convention flushing systems, leaving the upper reaches of these subsystems dry , which causes much higher than normal internal temperatures. The casting marks, seams, transitional areas of uneven thickness, and any 90 degree or greater bend in the coolant flow channels in modern marine engines are all attractors for salt build-up, which seems to proceed in a roughly geometrical progression once started. When salt build-up occurs, it effectively creates an isolation boundary layer that blocks the dissipation or radiation of heat. When this happens, hot spots occur which cause thermal stress, and or shock which rapidly lead to failure. It has been determined that up to 90% of impeller wear (on systems using centrifugal style neoprene based impellers) occurs during engine flushing.

The Superflush system overcomes these and other problems due to the following combination of events:

1. The engine is not run with the Superflush system, therefore, no heat is generated to create hotspots.

2. The metering components of the Superflush system constantly adjusts the output levels at each injection point, ensuring continuous pressure and volume levels in all the engine subsystems (water transfer systems, heat exchange systems, raw water pumps, circulating pumps, engine block and heads, and manifold systems).

3. The Superflush system creates hydrostatic shock waves that are sent through the engine cooling systems and subsystems between 7,500-10,850 primary pulses per minute, depending upon the application.

This hydrostatic shock pulse reaches every cavity of the engine cooling system, breaking salt and minerals loose and flushing them out of the engine. The engine is completely flushed after 4 to 6 minutes. When used properly the Superflush enhances the operational readiness and reliability and significantly reduce man hours required for maintenance and greatly extend the operational life of marine power plants in all marine environments.

Why do I need SuperFlush?

The first reason is to protect your investment. Marine engines are very expensive and, unfortunately, can deteriorate rapidly when operated exclusively in saltwater. Virtually all marine engines, whether outboard, stern drive, or inboard are susceptible to saltwater/corrosion build-up. This salt eventually crystallizes inside the engine blocks, manifolds and risers creating hairline cracks allowing water to enter the engine and cause major damage. It has been estimated by the National Marine Manufacturers Association that 70 % of all engine failure is caused by corrosion damage.

The SuperFlush system with its superior technology of multi-port injection reaches every cavity within the engine, flushing out the salt buildup from the top down. No other flushing device can match the effectiveness of a SuperFlush when it comes to protecting your investment in your engine. It will pay for itself many times over extending the life of your engines components.

The second reason is convenience. To access the SuperFlush system, you simply connect a dockside water hose to a conveniently located hose connection panel installed in the aft cockpit of your boat. You then simply turn on the water, step back and watch it work. You’ll be amazed at the simplicity. In four minutes your engine is completely flushed. It’s that easy.

The third reason is for the environment. SuperFlush works with your engine turned off and with the boat in or out of the water. SuperFlush eliminates all of the environmental problems normally associated with flushing marine engines.

Why aren’t the old fashioned ear muff style motor flushers adequate for flushing my engine?

The ear muff motor flushers are twenty year old technology and they have critical shortcomings. Marine engines utilize high volume water pumps, mostly with neoprene rubber impellers. Any interruption in the water flow while the engine is running will severely damage the impeller. With the ear muff device, you are simply not getting the volume of water into the water pump and in many instances it will cause the garden hose to collapse. Overheating is extremely detrimental to engine life and in severe instances may result in immediate damage. In fact, some marine engine repair manuals contain the following statement:

At 1500 RPM the engine water pump can only create approximately five pounds of pressure in the cooling system. This is not nearly enough volume of water to flush the engine properly. It has little or no effect on the salt corrosion buildup inside the engine block. Conversely the SuperFlush System back-fills the idle engine, pressurized the cooling system to twenty two pounds and pulsates the water to shake the salt corrosion out of the engine.

My late model outboard has a Flushport on the engine. Why should I purchase a SuperFlush?

Flushports access the outboard cooling system via one port of entry only. It’s effectiveness is limited in several ways. Because of the single point of entry it attempts to force water in several directions resulting in parts of the system getting very little water. With the water entering at the mid-section of the engine an air bubble is formed in the upper portions of the cooling system. No water reaches this area with the flushport. The thermostats on engines with flushports are designed to limit water flow and this results in poorly flushed engines. It is critical that the heads, water jacket covers and all gasket interface areas receive adequate water volume when flushing. Conversely, with the SuperFlush’s pulsating action and multi-port entry, the entire cooling system and cooling subsystems are flushed. You can utilize the flushport engine flushing system regularly and still encounter salt corrosion buildup. The SuperFlush pressurizes water into every cavity of the cooling system and shocks the salt and mineral build up out with a hydrostatic pulse, and is a far superior technology. Additionally the Chemical Products line is a key element in engine longevity. Periodic use can greatly extend an engines life cycle and greatly reduce maintenance requirements.

In addition, accessibility can pose a problem with the Flushport system when attempting to flush the engine while on the water or on a lift. SuperFlush solves both of these problems.

My boat stays in the water almost all the time. Will SuperFlush allow me to flush my engine without pulling the boat out of the water?

Yes! The SuperFlush System not only operates with the engines off but flushes in or out of the water.

The less efficient alternatives to SuperFlush are to install an expensive custom flushing system with brass piping and gate valves on your inboard, purchase an outboard with flushports or use earmuffs on your engine. The flushports and earmuffs still require that you get in the water to utilize them.

My boat is on a lift and virtually impossible to access with conventional flushing devices. How can SuperFlush help solve this problem?

Install the SuperFlush hose connection access panel on the side of your boat. By utilizing a commercial grade quick connect fitting on your garden hose, you can snap the hose on and by simply turn on a valve connected to the end of the garden hose to activate your flushing system. With this setup you can utilize the SuperFlush under nearly inaccessible situations.

I would like to install a SuperFlush on my new boat but I’m concerned about the engine warranty. Will SuperFlush affect my warranty?

Your warranty stays intact. The SuperFlush is a completely passive system. Your engine warranty is not affected.

My engine is already fresh water cooled. How can a SuperFlush improve what is already there?

Even freshwater or closed cooling systems have components which are exposed to salt water corrosion.

Can the SuperFlush System be used to winterize my engine or flush other chemicals through the system?

Yes! SuperFlush offers a full line of chemical treatments including an anti-marine growth solution for retarding zebra mussels and other fouling marine growth. They also offer anti-corrosive treatment and anti-freeze treatments. All of these are available through your SuperFlush dealer. SuperFlush chemical induction kits make quick and easy work of engine lay up or winterization procedures. Also, flushing the engine periodically with Rust Preventer offers an additional anti-corrosive protection and lubrication of the cooling system components.

If my boat is out of the water and I need to start my engine for test purposes, can I access my SuperFlush to provide water for the cooling system?

We recommend the engine(s) be off when utilizing the SuperFlush. However, in this instance you could use SuperFlush as long as you do not exceed 1100 RPM. Higher RPMs can result in damage to the water pump. Remember, SuperFlush flushes from the top down and the water pump is pushing the water up into the engine. In this instance, they are working against each other. That is why we do not recommend running the engine while utilizing the SuperFlush system.

How can the SuperFlush System really flush the engine without running it? Won't the thermostat block part of the engine?

The engine block (where the plugs are), the heads, the intake manifold, exhaust manifold, and the risers are all interconnected in plurality. The thermostat housing is designed to restrict (not block, an important point) the cold water flow into the engine, and is upstream. The engine block injector points are downstream of the thermostat housing, so water below it has no impediments to being discharged through the transom assembly discharge ports, the exhaust ports, and others, depending on manufacturer.. So the short answer is: the water injected into the block assembly fills the block cooling passages first, then the heads cooling channels, then fills the exhaust manifold, then fills and exits through the risers, while the water injected above the thermostat housing filles the intake manifold, the exhaust manifolds, and the risers. There is obviously interconnectivity here. Remember, the thermostat is designed to restrict water flow from the seawater pump. With the engine funning in the ocean, there is only one place it can get into the engine...from the pump. Using the multiple injection point strategy, we come in above and below the thermostat housing: problem solved!
Points to remember:

1. The SuperFlush System uses 4 injection points to introduce water into the cooling system, not 1 as the seawater pump.
2. The SF System is a True Reverse Flushing system, reversing the normal coolant flow scenario, so as to overcome...the thermostat issue!
3. The hydro-static shocking pulse is operating at a very high frequency.

T-fittings access the engine at one point only, either upstream or downstream of the raw water pump. Either junction is inadequate because of the limited water flow available from the municipal water supply. If the T-fitting is downstream of the pump, over 65% of the available water supply will run out the water pickups and be unavailable for engine flushing. If the T-fitting is installed upstream of the raw water pump, then the engine will fill to the first gravity drain point and no further because of inadequate volume. The circulation through the engine will be minimal, and the upper reaches of the exhaust systems will not be cooled or flushed. Additionally over 90% of impeller damage and wear occurs while attempting to flush engines, caused by impeller cavitations in the centrifugal housing. The SuperFlush systems overcome these obstacle by using a multi-point injection scenario, precise metering control and superior technology.

Every major engine manufacturer recommends that you flush your engine after every use. If you use a conventional method (Earmuffs, Flushports, or T-fittings), you should run the engine from 18-22 minutes at a high idle to ensure that the thermostats open. This makes your engine run at higher than normal exhaust temperatures, resulting in premature engine wear and shortened engine life. And it’s time consuming, noisy, expensive and environmentally unsound.

MONEY: You don’t run the engine. So you don’t use fuel. Using other methods require 18-22 minutes of running time. At up to $3.00 per gallon (avg. cost of fuel purchased at marina) based on 6 g.p.h. (gallons per hour) consumption at idle of a 5.7 Liter inboard, that’s $6.00 of fuel per flush. At 100 flushes that’s $600.00.

TIME: The SuperFlush System is fully automatic. Connect the hose, wait four minutes and you’re through. Other methods require 18-22 minutes of supervised flushing. At 100 Flushes you’ve wasted 30-36 man-hours flushing your engine VS. 6 hours 40 minutes for the SuperFlush System.

MONEY: The SuperFlush System’s superior performance will greatly increase the operational life cycle of your marine engine by reducing corrosion related problems - by far the number one cause of engine failure.

MONEY: The SuperFlush Systems use 80 % less water to flush an engine than any conventional method, saving your money while helping to protect the environment.