Flushing outboards after saltwater use

[woodsyfeller]

I have a couple questions about flushing motors after salt water use:

1) How long should you flush the motor on the hoses to help rinse out the salt water gunk?

2)How soon should you do it and how long is to long to wait?

3)Is it possible to get the crystalized crap that builds up inside without taking stuff apart?

4)Is it necessary to flush your motor if you have been running on a freshwater lake? (clear water, little silt or no silt in lake )

These are just some basic ?? I had. I have been told different opinions on flush times and wait times wanted to gather a general opinion.

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Flushing outboards after saltwater use

I have been boating in salt water ( in Florida) for 30 years. I may have a little input which may help you out.

Salt water in not poison. It will not have an immediate negative input on your motor, but regular flushing with fresh water is necessary to help keep it cleaned out. If you are going to use a garden hose flusher at idle, I don't think there is a set time to clean everything out. Here is what I do. I know, this sounds crazy, but I will start my motor, let it idle for a couple of minutes, then I will actually cup my hands, and taste a little of the pee stream water. Not salty? Then I figure its all good inside the motor too. This method has never killed me (lol) and it has always worked for me. Just make sure you let the motor run long enough to let the thermostats to open and let the life saving fresh water circulate throughout the motor.

I spray down my powerhead and trim and tilt area with WD-40 regularly as well.

If you are operating in fresh water, then you won't have to do this type of thing. Life in salt water is difficult, but it can be managed with routine maintenance. Just stay on top of it.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Flushing outboards after saltwater use

Is it a 2 or 4 strokes engine, which HP ?

It's preferable to rinse engine with garden hose having good water pressure wether by ear muffs or direct hose attachment onto engine top, if availabe, soon after the boat/engine has been removed from salt water or at home. Turn engine on, rinse for at least 5 minutes at idle or fast idle. Disconnect engine fuel connector and let engie die of fuel starvation if being a pre mix 2 strokes engine and no fuel additives have been added. This procedure works for me, not for all as many have a different opinion on let engine die subject...

Happy Boating

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Flushing outboards after saltwater use

Assuming this is an outboard:

1. a couple minutes is all you need.

2. best to do it before the salt water inside the water jacket dries (as in immediately--the engine is hot) b/c once it dries, it's there.

3. no. once it's dried it's there. flushing products remove paper money build up from your wallet, that's all.

no. not only is it not necessary to flush after fresh water, it's not necessary after salt. It helps, but for decades, no one ever flushed and now, hundreds maybe thousands of salt water boaters never flush--boats moored to piers and on lifts are an example. Some flush the 3-4 times a year they pull the boat out of the water. Sort of like it's better to keep a car in a garage but not necessary (or: do you flush under the car every time you drive on a salted road? Daily or twice a day to get it before it dries? Same thing, really)

Also, some salt water is worse than others for salt concentration, and the real enemy is the silt/sand suspended in the water--that's what I flush for on the boats I run on the seaside marshes.

If you dunk your trailer, it will go long before your motor will.

And never use WD40 around salt water as a lube or coating. it attracts salt and corrosion.

 

[R DAVIS]

Re: Flushing outboards after saltwater use

Look around at self serve car wash facilities in the general area of your local marina, launch ramp etc. Many of these near salt water have a flushing device you can attach & run for a few quarters. Just look around and ask around. I'll bet you will find at least one that's convenient. You won't even notice one until you start looking for it.