foot pump flush

[Marty Levenson]

Yesterday I tried a new method of unblocking my T and/or the diverter behind it. Attached my DINGHY FOOT PUMP to the intake hose between the pump and the T, removed the thermostat, pinched the T-to-thermostat hose, and set up an outlet hose from the thermostat housing to a bucket.

note - when I removed the thermostat I felt around underneath it, and found no scale or rust flakes.

I pumped on the foot pump quite hard and after some resistance got some ugly looking water, easier flow, and a little bit of grit in the bucket. The big surprise was the amount of scale piled up under the thermostat housing...I removed about a quarter cup with a magnet.

I had recently done a street hose flush (and back flush) to both block and manifold, so I was surprised this was so effective. Last night I did a 50/50 vinegar/water soak over night, and today found she runs cooler.

I do think I will need to do a water jacket side plate removal for a thorough cleaning soon, but I thought this was interesting as a way to get a better flow. Also, a useful idea if flushing is necessary in an emergency at anchor or on a mooring.

Cheers,
-Marty

Marty Levenson
Tartan 27 "Poseidon"
Galiano Island, BC

[HOTFLASH]

How did you attach your dinghy foot-pump to the intake hose? So, you were pushing air pressure through to force out the water and junk inside?

[Marty Levenson]

It was a bellows type foot pump, the type that comes with a dingy or kayak.
The pump has three sizes of connectors.... each is a tapered plastic point. One fit perfectly into the half inch hose I disconnected from the water pump (the other end leads to the "T"). I didn't even need to put a hose clamp on it,

I gave it about 15 or 20 good pumps. At first the water in the block blew out into the bucket (just a few cups of water), and then just hard blasts of air. The rust accumulated below where the thermostat sits. The air pressure seems quite strong, but I'm not certain if it is effective at moving the rust along without the water.

Don Moyer wrote the following in an e-mail to me:
I was wondering if it made any sense to introduce a bit of water into the
inlet of the pump as you continue to work it with your foot. Our dinghy
pump has a valve that sucks air in as I pump up the dinghy, and I'm thinking
that Brenda could pour water into that valve (using a pitcher from the
galley?) as I work the pump. I was thinking that by keeping some water
flowing through the block and head, you might be able to move some more
scale over to the thermostat area, and maybe even out through the thermostat
housing and into the bucket for a neat and tidy operation.

-Marty