Saltwater Outboard

[KI4NCW]

What needs to be done to run a outboard in salt water properly?

Thanks
Bill

[KI4NCW]

To clarify my question I am asking if something needs to be modifed on the outboard engine to safely use in salt water?

[longliner45]

just flush it out with fresh water after each use,

[KI4NCW]

Thanks!

[marshmat]

I might add to longliner's absolutely correct suggestion, that you make sure to tilt the motors completely out of the water when not in use. If you really love your motor, you might also hose it off with fresh water once it's tilted out; salt encourages corrosion.

[sal's Dad]

Plenty of outboards have run in salt water for years, decades, even generations, without regular flushing.

What is your time worth? What is the probability something else will kill the motor, before corrosion gets it?

[Woodnaut]

In addition to the really good advice given above, be sure to keep the sacrificial anodes in good condition. Also, use only high quality stainless steel fastners (316 SST recommended) if ever you replace any screws, washers, etc. When performing any service work on your engine, it's a good idea to use a little anti-seize compound on all threads - just don't overdo it near gasgets and sealing surfaces. Over the years I've found it a good idea to take the engine cowling off of the outboard and hose down the entire powerhead after each run in saltwater - not while the engine is running or even hot, and be sure to use good judgement in this matter. Finally, some of the corrosion-proofing sprays that are on the market can be very good as well. Again, don't overdo it and be sure to your your good judgement. I've had several outboards over the years and used every one of them in salt water with very good results and longevity. It's just a matter of serious maintenance.

[sal's Dad]

Over the years I've found it a good idea to take the engine cowling off of the outboard and hose down the entire powerhead after each run in saltwater -
Puhleeeeze...
used every one of them in salt water with very good results and longevity. It's just a matter of serious maintenance

In 30 years of using outboards year round, hard use, salt only, I think I could count on one hand the number of times I have flushed a motor. Once was a British Seagull that went under still running. (flushed with fresh water, changed fuel, dried off plug, and it started right up). My motors have died from lots of things, but never corrosion.

Change the plugs every few years, when the coolant tell-tale stops peeing change the impeller. And oh yes - in cold conditions, warm up slowly until cooling water melts and starts to flow.

I suppose if you have fresh water near where you keep your motor, rinsing or flushing won't do any damage; I've never had that luxury.

[fish_head_soup]

old thread but interesting.

with so many products on the market for flushing an outboard warning of dire consequences if you don't protect your motor from corrosion i've not seen the same warnings issued from any of the engine manufacturers themselves.
i use my merc 50hp in saltwater and flush each time with fresh water in a barrel but don't use any additional products (eg saltaway etc). and if i'm planning to go out again the next day i only give it a few minutes on the "earmuffs".

[kenJ]

I think the key difference here is if you use it every day it self flushes. For us weekend warriors, flushing/hosing off really helps reduce problems and increase the life of the outboard.

[marshmat]

I run in freshwater, but I flush the thing anyway if it's going to be out for any length of time. The reason? Zebra mussels. Flushing with tap water while the zebra mussel veligers are still floating freely lets you get them out before they start sticking to things and clogging up your cooling passages.

One of the great things about an outboard is that you can tip it completely clear of the water when docked. Tipping it up (and turning off the electricity!) probably has a bigger corrosion protection effect than most of the "mystery sprays".

[CDK]

My Merc 4hp has reached the ago of 16 without once being flushed.
It spends 365 days each year on the stern of a 13 ft. rowing boat, moored at the jetty in front of my house and has never had the pleasure of tasting water without salt. Of course it is not a real Mercury, they buy it from Tohatsu and sell it painted black as a Merc. or gray as a Mariner.

Plastic parts like the gear shift lever have disintegrated because of UV and temperature extremes, so I made some stainless steel replacements and once installed a new impeller. Every 2 years or so I remove and clean the tiny Hitachi carb and the piece of sponge they use as an air filter.
The little engine only needs 1 or 2 pulls to bring it to life...

One mistake I made cannot be corrected anymore:
My advice to anyone who intends to use an outboard like I did, is to take it apart before it even has had a chance to sniff the salty air, smear anti-seize on anything that has thread and put it back together again. The threaded holes in light alloy are capillaries that suck in seawater; the water evaporates but the salt remains and after an unbelievable short time screws cannot be turned anymore without being subjected to a blowtorch.

[mydauphin]

To clarify my question I am asking if something needs to be modifed on the outboard engine to safely use in salt water?

NO, Just clean it afterward. On a small motor stick in a large garbage can full of water. I sometimes use dish washing soap in the water to clean some gunk out. A friend of mine pours diesel all over his when getting ready for storage. Some people think running gas out is good idea, others don't

[mudman]

I think that flushing is a good idea, at least better than not doing anything. My exhaust maniflod was all eaten up on a Suzuki that I had. After a bunch of money rewelding it and machining it down, I flushed it after every use. After that, I've always flushed my engines, and have not had a problem since.

[Rangerspeedboat]

When me and my dad had our Mercrury 150, after running it we would put it on the trailer and take it to the nearest pressure wash/car wash place and hose it down. Then take it home and put it on the "ear muffs" to flush it out.