Abstract: An apperatus and method for flushing a marine engine (3) which is both the flow of fluid to the marine engine (3) and the starting of the engine. The apparatus employs a conduit (14) coupled to a fluid supply (1) for supplying fluid to the marine engine (3). A valve assembly (2) is mounted to the conduit (14) between the fluid supply (1) and the cooling inlet port (2) and controls the flow of fluid to the cooling inlet port (2). The valve assembly (2) is responsive to a start signal to permit the flow of fluid; and a switch assembly (4) is electrically coupled to the valve assembly (2) and to the marine engine (3) for providing the start signal to the valve assembly (2) to allow the fluid to flow and an engine signal to the marine engine (3) to enable starting of the engine.