Salt water I/O fellas.......flushing?? Do you ever do it??

[Thajeffski]

I have a bayliner with the 4 cyl 3.0 and the alpha one drive I/O

Talking to a guy in a slip 2 down from me, has the exact same setup. Says he has NEVER flushed his motor during the season and had the boat for 4 years....

I was thinking I'd have to flush it after every time out in the salt - when I got back to the slip......is this wrong??

 

[gcboat]

Re: Salt water I/O fellas.......flushing?? Do you ever do it??

It would be a wondeful idea to rinse the salt from your engine each and every time you come home. Just because the "other" guy doesn't do it doesn't mean it shouldn't get done.
He also may have a closed cooling system - which should still get flushed.
Salt water is not good for your motor or its components.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Salt water I/O fellas.......flushing?? Do you ever do it??

I flush mine after every trip.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Salt water I/O fellas.......flushing?? Do you ever do it??

I flush mine after every use, even in brackish water. I just don't want salt sitting in the engine anywhere, take a look at the outdrives of boats that sit in saltwater. It's not very pretty.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Salt water I/O fellas.......flushing?? Do you ever do it??

If he is in a slip, how would he flush it?

 

[Hollywood1053]

Re: Salt water I/O fellas.......flushing?? Do you ever do it??

I flush mine after each day in the water.
Maybe overly cautious, but it's cheap and quick insurance.
It doesn't take long...why not do it.

 

[marine4003]

Re: Salt water I/O fellas.......flushing?? Do you ever do it??

If he is in a slip, how would he flush it?

Docked boats with an outboard that pick up cooling water thru the outdrive..cant be properly flushed in water..you would have to pick the boat up..flush it then drop her back in, most marinas,unless your dry stacked..dont preform this service for free...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Salt water I/O fellas.......flushing?? Do you ever do it??

it is better to flush. it can be done, not perfectly, but almost. connect your muffs, turn on water, pressure keeps salt water out, lower outdrive, and start motor. when done, turn motor off. remove muffs. this is not perfect, but a heck of a lot better than not.