outboard engine flushing

Brad100 · 12-30-2006, 05:26 PM

Hello - I saw a mention of $1 for 4 min of washdown water at one marina and at Newport, it's 25 cents for about 3 minutes... This can get quite expensive... So my question is (for outboards), does it hurt to wait an hour or two to flush out the engine? All comments appreciated.

phishy · 12-30-2006, 08:01 PM

I ususally flush my trailer and breaks at the dock and flush the engine for about 10 mins when i get home. Its important to flush your breaks after you dunk the trailer. Driving with the salt is horrible for them. Far as the outboard i usually wait.

**Carnivore** · 12-31-2006, 12:59 AM

Ya won't hurt it as much as running it is salt water all day. I sometimes don't get to it till the next day with not issues. Older out boards don't have the corrosion resistance the newer one do but my grandfather 1971 Johnson NEVER got flushed out (ya I know horrible and NOT recommended) but after 30 years or use and 100s if not 1000s or hours it finally gave up last year. Even then it was burnt rings not even where the salt water goes. You're good if you take even a day to wash it out.

Herbo · 12-31-2006, 01:41 AM

I wash the trailer there, than at home I have a plastic trash can with a few holes in it where I fill it up with water, put the lower section in to run the motor to flush while I wash down the rest of the boat... usually 30 minutes or so then a WD-40 coating

grantar2 · 12-31-2006, 08:56 PM

My boat stays in the water year round. I seldom flush my outboard but then I have here serviced every year, including a water pump replacement. Don't say it is the best way to treat a motor but my Honda is more than 20 years old.

J Woodman · 01-01-2007, 09:47 AM

I aggree with what they all said. I wait till I get home amd sometimes until the next day to flush out. My Merc. 100 is 18 years old and doesn't seem to have any problems with that, although age is affecting the fuel consumption in the last 2 years.

barndoor · 01-04-2007, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herbo

usually 30 minutes or so then a WD-40 coating

Currious about the WD-40 coating....... Do you just spray WD-40 on the outside of the OB or internally too?

Also, does anyone else do this? I haven't heard of it, but it sounds interesting.......

Thanks

**Carnivore** · 01-04-2007, 10:19 AM

I spray the outside of the motor (under the cover) and all electrical connections. About every 4 or 5 trips I spray the motor with simple green then hose it off (DO NOT PRESSURE WASH IT E V E R ! ! !) then once it drys I put more WD on. It will help with corrosion but salt ex is the best just need to pick some up.

Spraying it in the plug wire caps will keep the motor grounding out if water should splash under the hood some how.

madbommer · 01-04-2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barndoor

Currious about the WD-40 coating....... Do you just spray WD-40 on the outside of the OB or internally too?

Also, does anyone else do this? I haven't heard of it, but it sounds interesting.......

Thanks

I usually spray white lithium on parts that may corrode and on electrical connections. messy but it seems to keep the motor free of corrosion.