Offshoreonly.com - Perko Pro-Flush

Long story..
Installed Pro-Flush about 3 years ago, first location was in raw water line between transom and sea strainer. Big mistake, Pro-flush filled with floating sea grass after one trip. Moved pro-flush to line between sea strainer and water pump last year. No problems for a full year. Then after two week layup, lowered boat into water and started engine. After about 20 seconds,,,squealing started signalling death of impeller. Replaced impeller and plastic housing, ran on hose to fill system and not start new pump dry. (hose on then start engine). All OK, lower boat into water, start engine, squeal started after 10 seconds, and water did not seem to be flowing through Pro-flush. Pulled all lines and checked for blockage, all were clear. Re ran on hose, all OK, but rapidly turned globe valve on hose on and off several times shock loading the valve in the Pro-flush and it appeared to move and left on hose when lowered into water and then slowly turned off hose, valve in pro-flush moved and started letting water in. Used boat for day, on cold restart in the gulf, no problems. Then the next week end, lowered boat into water and started engine, no water flow through valve. Took both pro-flushes out of boat, hammered out the internal valve and springs, installed globe valve on sea strainer so to flush just have to close the 90 degree valve, new pump body and impeller. We travel the calusahatchee river in route to the gulf and the water is never clear, must be lots of "organics" in the water as the rubber valve surface seemed to have a slimy coating on it when I got it out of the Pro-Flush. Could have caused the valve to "glue" itself closed after flushing the last time as during flushing this valve closes in the plastic housing and does not let water back into sea strainer.

Why Post this? Cause someone else may have these and could run into the same problems, smoking $200.00 worth of pump parts and loosing time on the water.