DO YOU REALLY NEED TO FLUSH YOUR OUTBOARD?

Do you really need to flush your outboard? That is a good question and the answer is that it depends. Sometimes are more vital to flush than others and at times, you may not need to flush at all. The small boat captain takes you through all the various reason you should flush, or not flush your outboard.

[@novizadventures]

I'm digging all of the wisdom from this channel. Going through and watching every episode!

[@smallboatcaptain1968]

Thanks for the kind words. Glad you're enjoying the channel.

[@gillesgomez3091]

I do agree with your advice. One should always flush an engine after running in salt water.
But, when your boat stays at the marina during the summer (which is my case), it's almost impossible to flush your engine. My engine does not have a flush port, so should I use muffs under water? Won't it suck as many dirty salty water than clean water? And on top of that, last year we experienced water usage restrictions. Cleaning boats and flushing engines was strictly forbidden all summer long. So my engine stayed dirty/salty all the season long. It only got a good cleaning at the end of the season. To be honest, I don't see so many people on the marina flushing their engine 🤨
Of course, manufacturers don't recommend this.

[@smallboatcaptain1968]

Makes it hard when you can't flush. But I used to work at a island resort that had a water sports department with ski boats. We never flushed those engines either but perhaps because they were used all the time they always lasted for years.

[@stanwilson8089]

Great advice,I totally agree.Personally,I run my outboard in a tub on occasion and add washing up liquid to the water in the tub.That kills grease and dissolves most of the things that block the water passages.Washing up liquid is absolutely safe and does no damage to the components.

[@smallboatcaptain1968]

That's interesting Stan. I use the salt dissolver every now and again but the washing up liquid would help with that as well. Good to know mate. Thanks for the feedback.
SBC.

[@stanwilson8089]

@@grindle1234 There is no salt in washing up liquid.Warm water and washing up liquid kills the oil deposits that hold dirt etc.Which of course includes salts.It clears dirt from water pumps and stats.Plus it cleans and lubes the impellar.I've been using it for over 20yrs.(Warm water is generated when the outboard is running).When I have occasion to remove a head the water passages are immaculate.

[@GMCRaptor]

Well explained 👍

[@smallboatcaptain1968]

Thanks so much Raptor G

[@chrismcg7856]

If you're away for a week say, is that bad for the engine then since you may not have the ability to flush your engine until the end of a trip?

[@smallboatcaptain1968]

I do that all the time and never had a problem. So I would say no. I've been away in my boat for two or more weeks, using it everyday in saltwater and not flushing it and no problems.

[@chrismcg7856]

@@smallboatcaptain1968 Good to know. Cheers

[@-CHeWy-]

Always flush even after fresh water use. There is still minerals and dirt in fresh water.

[@smallboatcaptain1968]

So true.