Oh what a predicament...
For smaller(liftable) engines, get a barrrel with fresh water and run the
engine in that (a blue nylon barrel is perfect for that)
For a BIG engine - or one attached to the boat with many rods, cables etc.,
buy a flushing kit and get a basin that'll fit under the engine. It catches
the runoff and you get your engine flushed out of salt.
Just open the gate, so you do not choke to death on the fumes.

Dry run kills the impeller - which should be checked before each sailing
season anyway!

NATO4EVER
Ole


"IDT 512" skrev i en meddelelse
om...
"Edward Quillian" wrote in message
...
engine will overheat within about 5 minutes. Bigger problem is you will
destroy the rubber impeller on the water pump.
"IDT 512" wrote in message
om...
how long can i run the engine safely without cooling water? engine is
a
Merc 3.0L.

5 minutes??? i was thinking closer to like 15-20 seconds! I want to
start it up in the garage every once in a while and was wondering if i
can run without the flush kit to avoid getting the garage floor all
wet, otherwise id have to pull it out to the street each and every
time.