Flushing outboards after use with fresh water

[SnaxMuppet]

I was wondering just how important it is to flush my engine after use in salt water? Obviously, it must help in the long run but I wondered just how much of an effort it is work making? What do you do? Has anyone not flushed and never had issues after many years... has someone regularly flushed and still had corrosion issues?

 

[Nick_H]

I was wondering just how important it is to flush my engine after use in salt water? Obviously, it must help in the long run but I wondered just how much of an effort it is work making? What do you do? Has anyone not flushed and never had issues after many years... has someone regularly flushed and still had corrosion issues?

I flushed my honda 30 maybe 3 times in 7 years in the salty med, no issues. On balance, once a year with a flush additive is probably a good idea, but personally i wouldn't (and don't) feel the need to flush after every use.

 

[Bouba]

I was wondering just how important it is to flush my engine after use in salt water? Obviously, it must help in the long run but I wondered just how much of an effort it is work making? What do you do? Has anyone not flushed and never had issues after many years... has someone regularly flushed and still had corrosion issues?

I did it religiously. Of course water will corrode but saltwater is more pernicious. If it becomes a habit then it's just part of the end of play routine, which usually lasts longer than the 10 minutes it takes to flush. I have seen many people be cruel to an outboard, running them while the boat is tied up and the owner reads a newspaper, starting them up on land and lack of routine servicing.

 

[Oscar24]

I flush my Suzuki 115 out after most trips.
It's dead easy as there is a point on the side of the engine to screw a hose pipe adapted. Takes seconds to connect up. While its flushing out, I set about packing the boat up.
5 mins later I've packed the boat up and completed the flushing.
Is it worth it? Well will probably never know, but I have seen what looks like brown mud coming out of the bottom of the leg so suspect it's worth it.

 

[paul salliss]

I did it religiously. Of course water will corrode but saltwater is more pernicious. If it becomes a habit then it's just part of the end of play routine, which usually lasts longer than the 10 minutes it takes to flush. I have seen many people be cruel to an outboard, running them while the boat is tied up and the owner reads a newspaper, starting them up on land and lack of routine servicing.

Totally agree with the routine comment, I flush our twin 350's at the end of every weekend, keeps them clean and healthy��