Any reason to flush after being in freshwater?

[USA_boater]

MY new Merc has the flush port so it should make it easy; is there any benefit to flushing after being in a lake? Sometimes I go to places with stained muddy water but generally the boat will be run to the ramp in the cleaner water. I just wondered if running some tap water through it after every outing would provide any long term benefit?

 

[jimmbo]

It won't hurt. Not all Fresh water is harmless to the engine. Some lakes have a high Alkali content, others are slightly Acidic, either will do damage.

 

[QBhoy]

Wouldn’t say so. Jimmbo makes a good point about the PH...but occasionally your domestic water from the hose is less than perfect.
Here on fresh water Loch Lomond, we never flush out outboards and jet skis etc. In fact often the sea water guys come by and dip their boats and skis in at the ramp to flush on the way home.

 

[USA_boater]

Thanks; another thing I noticed was the flush port covers the spitter...how does that work? I'd think the port would be separate from the spitter so you could at least see the motor was getting sufficient cooling while running on the trailer?