Outboards and saltwater

[Jdege]

The manual for my new Elco outboard says in should flush the cooling water impeller with fresh water after use in saltwater, to prevent the buildup of salt from clogging the cooling lines.

Seems to me this would be an issue with every water-cooled outboard, not just the Elcos.

How is it usually dealt with? Surely there must be an easier solution than unmounting the motor and running it in a bucket.

[thomm225]

With my Mercury 5 hp 4 stroke outboard, I usually flush it with fresh water once per year.

When I do flush it, I back into my slip, put the engine on the stern rail mount, and the connect adapter. The Hose adapter connects to the bottom of the powerhead

I use the engine in salt water all year with frequent starts even in Winter.

This since the outboard was new in 2011.

[chris in SG]

By chance, I started this thread just recently:

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ze-271855.html

It seems to me the comments I received are relevant to your question. But there's a wide range of views about the need for flushing if the outboard is used daily.

[Chotu]

I’m thinking this is a perfectionist and a CYA type of statement.

It’s impossible to do this when you are traveling and living on a boat. It’s only feasible when you have a dock. Even on a mooring it’s not feasible.

I don’t think many people actually do this.

My entire life on boats I have never done it and I’ve never had any sort of problem with the outboard that had to do with corrosion or with clogged cooling systems. The problems are more often centered around the fuel delivery systems.

[Avionics_Joe]

I have a 25 hp Suzuki for 4 years I have never flushed it. It does almost get daily use.

[Jammer]

There have been reports of problems with particular engines due to susceptibility of the cooling passages to corrosion. As I recall the otherwise excellent Suzuki 2.5 usually comes up as an example.


It may have more to do with the size of the passages than the metal and anode design. Smaller passages can be closed up more readily by corrosion.

[Jdege]

Some newer engines have a flush port to which you connect a garden hose.

My new motor does not.

I've seen some flush kits of various types on Amazon. Which work I have no idea. I'm sure many don't.

[Bill O]

Since you don't have a flush out port, can you fit ears over the lower unit to flush w/water from a hose?

[Bill O]

Looked up a Tohatsu 5B manual (this is the motor base for your Mercury) and they showed a flushing port under the motor.
Here was a video to show you where it is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P64fSzb279s