Flushing Techniques

mailbox101 · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:28 am Post subject:

Salt away four times a year? Around here we do it each and every time, with a full cap for the flushing the engine, and another full cap for the outside of the engines and the rest of the boat.

Also, don't forget to wipe down the inside handle of the cabin door if you've been running with the door open. That one caught me before I figured out what was going on.

Salt away can be bought at West Marine, or about any other marine supply place located near salt water.

Mighty Bite · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 12:17 pm Post subject:

The plastic drum is a good idea, but not sure if a 90 with the
Permatrim will fit.

Saltaway is available at West Marine and most places that carry
marine items. Pretty easy to find, although a little spendy. Has
anyone used plain white vinegar in lieu of Saltaway? Vinegar is
a pretty good cleaner and I would think it should work well. It
would be a whole lot cheaper.

cemiii · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:37 am Post subject:

Just adding to the train of thought, the 90 etec can be flushed with the upper hose quick attachment in either motor running or motor off condition. Apparently enough water flows through to the pump such that there is no danger of burning up an impeller. I have no idea if this is true of any other makes. The etec can also be flushed on muffs.

My 9.9 Johnson (a suzuki) has the intakes on the bottom of the antiventilation plate and a screw out on the side that will take a specialized flushing attachment where the old intake holes used to be. I have found that it flushes well with the muffs pinched horizontally over the intake provided the specific muff with the hose is on the intake side (but this hose down orientation really does not allow putting it in gear).