outboard engine flush

williamsburg · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:11 pm Post subject: outboard engine flush

Heading up the Middle River to pick up my C-Dory from Cutter Marine next week. By the way they have been the best folks to deal with. Most of my questions have been answered on this site through the forums but I still have several unanswered.
My boat will be in a slip and operated in salt water (90 Honda four stroke). I thought about getting a hose plug to flush the engine but was told that they only flush the lower unit and are not permanently attached. Putting the 'ear phone' flusher on seems like a real problem in a slip with the engine raised. The question is - What is the estimated reduction in life expectancy of the outboard if no flushing is done - 10%, 50%, 80%? What do most of the experienced boaters, who keep their boat in salt water do? Thanks!

cadenza · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:48 pm Post subject:

We used to keep our Gemini catamaran at Cutter's and just before we left to go cruising for a few years we bought a Honda 25 from therm. The problem of not being able to flush the engine concerned me also. What we finally started doing, which seemed to work, was to put the "ears" on the motor, turn on the fresh water, lower the unit into the salt water, and start the engine. The theory is that the pressure in the hose is greater than the pressure of the salt water at the intake depth. This pressure difference prevents salt water out of the engine while it's lowered. I'm not sure that you even need to start the engine. After a while, raise the engine, turn off the water and remove the ears. Well, that's the theory anyway.

Sneaks · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:58 pm Post subject:

Buy Yamaha. Hose connection built in, raise the engine, connect the hose, flush for a few minutes. Seriously, I leave our Yamaha up in the slip and the flush appears to be adequate prevention.

Don

Rock-C · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 5:14 pm Post subject:

Williamsburg
Some people on this site have tried out a bag contraption that can be used in the water. I'm sure you'll be hearing from them. I see by your post count, your new to the site, and I wanted to extend a C-Brat welcome. You better keep up those posts if you ever hope to catch up with Pat. Laughing

JamesTXSD · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:26 pm Post subject:

Congrats on the new boat, Williamsburg! We had a Honda 50 on a MacGregor 26x sailboat years ago. I asked a Honda factory rep at a boatshow the same question you asked. His response was: "You didn't hear this from me, 'cause the manual says flush it everytime after saltwater useage. Flush it when you get the chance. You can do it with the motor tilted up and run it with the hose attachment or rabbit ears for a few minutes. When you pull it out for the season, flush it thoroughly."

Never a problem with that motor. We flushed it once a week or so (nearly daily usage). HTH

cpt vic · Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:36 pm Post subject: new 22 also

well here's what we were told.. rob atcutter told us that we should flush intermittently through out the season. getting an attachment that fits in at top of motor and then lower the unit( it can be in water) and run with hose it will discharge in the water and flush out all sediments and salt. i think the thing will be finding the attachment?? will have to call them and see if they sell it, west and boat us doesn't seem to handle honda stuff??