Kicker Motor - Flush?

[saltydog2009]

I have a 4hp/ 4 stroke kicker motor and cannot flush with fresh water but once (month or two) in a while how bad is this for the motor? I run it few times a week.

[Hydra]

Welcome to CruisersForum, saltydog
Depending on the engine, not flushing it thoroughly from time to time might be really bad. When flushing the engine, you have to run it long enough for the block to become warm and dissolve the deposited salt more easily.

When I bought a new raw water impeller for my 2.2hp outboard last May, the mechanic recommended that I remove the head to clean the cooling channels in the engine block. He was right: the channels were clogged with salt and some sand.

This mechanic recommends to remove the engine head every 2 or 3 years, just to be sure.

Alain