How long to flush salt from motor?

[ebsworj]

I have a 1991 90hp Yamaha motor. After I take it out of the saltwater I flush the motor with my muffy muffs but I never know how long do I have to flush it? Does it have to get warm and open a thermostat for all the passages get cleaned?

Thanks guys for your expertise.

 

[TonyNoriega]

Re: How long to flush salt from motor?

I've been told that 5 minutes is good enough to do a thorough flush. I've often wondered about the issue because sometimes I trailer back home for 2 or 3 hours, which seems like would be enough time for the salt to crust up internally. Anyway, I give it a longer flush under those circumstances.

My new (to me) 2001 Yamaha 200 doesn't need to be running to do a thorough flush.....just connect the hose and run water for 10 minutes. I miss the smell and sound........just a kid at heart I guess..

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: How long to flush salt from motor?

5 minutes should do the trick .......

 

[Scout Sport Fish]

Re: How long to flush salt from motor?

I have a 2000 yamaha and hook it up to the fresh water intake and let the water run. Then I start up the engine and let it run for a little bit. Taste the water pissing out to see if it tastes salty. If it dosent then I do some quick revs (lower unit out of the water) for the water sitting in the prop to come out.

 

[woodrat]

Re: How long to flush salt from motor?

I sure wish more saltwater boat ramps had hoses. I almost always have to wait until I get home to flush the engines...

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: How long to flush salt from motor?

Is salt-X "the best way" or does routine, thorough flushing work just as good?

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: How long to flush salt from motor?

Thorough flushing works just as good ......

 

[captpn]

Re: How long to flush salt from motor?

just dont start it with the garden hose flusher if ya have one.. use the Muffy Muffs when running...ha muffy muffs...

 

[Cricket Too]

Re: How long to flush salt from motor?

Good advise captpn.....Scout Sport Fish, I hope your not running it on the backflusher, I hope your using the muffs. If you run on the backflusher, there isn't enough water on your water pump impeller and you damage it, have seen it happen first hand.

Backflushing will flush the prop out enough also.

I wouldn't worry about the 2 or 3 hour drive home, the saltwater won't start to corrode things for a couple of days. I have seen plenty of engines that sit in the water and never get flushed and run forever. Doesn't mean I would do it, but if you flush your way ahead of the game.

My engine doesn't have the backflusher and my sits in the water, I put the ear muffs on it and lower it back down into the water and run fresh water through it that way. It's more of a brackish since it still pulls some saltwater in, but better than doing nothing. I've also seen some muffs that flush from both sides of the motor, might pick one of those up and see if it works better for me, maybe more fresh water will get in.