How to Flush an Outboard Motor
Posted by Don Corleone on 6th Jan 2017
How to Flush Outboard Engines that have a Flushing Port:
- Remove the cap from the flushing port, and thread your garden hose into it.
- If the boat is in the water, tilt the engine up until the outdrive has drained of saltwater.
- Turn on the water, and let it run for at least five minutes.
- Do not start the engine.
- Remove the hose, and replace the cap.
How to Flush Outboards that do not have a Flushing Port:
- Attach a pair of earmuffs to the hose.
- Slide the earmuffs over the lower unit, so they fully cover the engine’s water intakes.
- Turn on the water, and make sure it’s flowing around both sides of the lower unit water intakes.
- Start the outboard, and make sure water is coming out of the tell-tale.
- Let the engine run for at least five minutes.
- Turn the engine off, then turn off the water and remove the earmuffs.
Watch our How to Flush an Outboard Engine video, to see the process from start to finish and learn a few more tips about flushing your outboard engine.
What about freshwater boaters? They don’t need to worry about this stuff, right? Wrong! Freshwater lakes and rivers may not be as corrosive as saltwater, but they certainly aren’t free of contaminants. And freshwater boaters are just as likely as any other to suck sand, grit, or tiny particles into the engine intakes. So while flushing after each and every trip isn’t quite as imperative, they should still give their engines a flush every few trips and/or after they run aground, or run through shallow waters with a sandy bottom.
Original Article posted at: https://www.boats.com/how-to/how-to-flush-an-outboard-motor/