cleaning salt off outboard motor

[boating maniac]

It looks like I have a bunch of salt all over the powerhead of my outboard motor. Not sure how it gets under the cowling but how do you guys clean this off? I'm not really keen on taking the water hose to the motor.

 

[island mike]

Re: cleaning salt off outboard motor

I am no engine guy but I know that at the boatyard gasoline was used to clean dirty greasy outboards..
Hope this helps..

 

[F_R]

Re: cleaning salt off outboard motor

I've said it many times--Plain ol' God-given H20 WATER is the solvent for salt. It won't hurt your powerhead if you are careful where you squirt it, ie needless to say don't squirt it into the carburetors, etc (duh). Do it on a nice sunny day so it will dry off quickly.

Now, if you are mistaking white corrosion of aluminum as a result of salt water, nothing will dissolve that. That is aluminum oxide, same stuff sandpaper is made of.

 

[robert graham]

Re: cleaning salt off outboard motor

A garden hose without a spray nozzle(just light water pressure) and old toothbrush is hard to beat, then leave it in the sun to dry. I also use WD-40 or similar and the toothbrush to clean and work the lubricant/protectant into cracks, crevices and electrical connections. Don't use strong detergents, cleaners or high pressure that can penetrate areas and cause damage. Good Luck!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: cleaning salt off outboard motor

yes, protect the carb throats, if they are exposed, with some rags or paper towels. Hose off the block and wiring and let her dry a couple of hours.

Salt water will get under the hood the same way the air supply for the running engine does. There are some baffles to keep water out, but they are not 100% effective.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: cleaning salt off outboard motor

If you use wd-40, follow with a real lubricant/coating, such as silicone or white lithuim grease. WD40 removes water and leaves your metal like a salt magnet.

I wonder if there really is "salt" under the hood. I suspect you may be seeing an electrolysis corrosion. Salt air shouldn't result in salty crystals under the cowl--somehting I haven't seen in the dozens of motors I've run exclusively in salt for 40+ years.

However, once I left my key on, motor down, overnight in salt water, and the next day had a dead battery and a motor, especially the lower unit above the water line, looking like a sugar donut.

 

[V153]

Re: cleaning salt off outboard motor

Warm water with a mild soap not detergent, and an assortment of brushes. I've discovered shiskebob skewers work well for gettin into nooks & crannys. Plastic chopsticks come in handy too. Just nip the tip at an angle with diagonal cutters and you get a sharp little corner scraper.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: cleaning salt off outboard motor

http://www.iboats.com/Salt-Off-With...49753186--**********.495960771--view_id.49347

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...leSearch&pageSize=10&Ntt=SALT AWAY &TypeAhead