Domain: tiger-web1.srvr.media3.us Descaling flush for outboards | Outdoor Board
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Descaling flush for outboards

Posted on 8/4/24 at 9:33 pm
Posted by mfiredog
Stonewall
Member since Oct 2016
723 posts
Posted on 8/4/24 at 9:33 pm
What is everyone using to descale (flush) your outboards? There are plenty of options. Just wanting the TD recommendations!
Posted by deeprig9
Unincorporated Ozora
Member since Sep 2012
74218 posts
Posted on 8/4/24 at 10:03 pm to
Freshwater. Hose water. Local lake water. Whatever is most convenient to you that isn't saltwater.
Posted by Theduckhunter
South Louisiana
Member since May 2022
1423 posts
Posted on 8/4/24 at 10:21 pm to
Salt-away
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
6644 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 4:42 am to
Never heard of such a thing, is it really an issue?
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86792 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 9:02 am to
How often do you do a regular flush? I noticed lower than normal pressure Saturday, so I did a fresh water flush and removed both screens under the cowling. One was totally clogged with what looked like tiny bits of gravel.
Posted by Theduckhunter
South Louisiana
Member since May 2022
1423 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 10:55 am to
quote:

How often do you do a regular flush?


After every trip/day on the water.

Never used to use salt-away, but a friend in the Keys was using it so not it’s part of the cleaning process.

Do you have pretty hard water where you’re at?
This post was edited on 8/5/24 at 10:56 am
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86792 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 11:06 am to
I was asking Kemo because he's in salt and on the water more than most.
Posted by Theduckhunter
South Louisiana
Member since May 2022
1423 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 11:18 am to
quote:

I was asking Kemo because he's in salt and on the water more than most.


Roger that

Can’t beat out a charter capt but with a retiree using it, the boat is in salt 80% of the time the wind isn’t blowing.

Also, I don’t know if it matters, but I feel like a boat that isn’t used all the time would be more susceptible to salt deposits than one that’s used every day.

This post was edited on 8/5/24 at 11:22 am
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
6644 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 12:23 pm to
515 hours and have never worried about it, same with every motor I have ever owned. Used to leave tunnel hull in water 60+ days at lease and it was never a problem. Less than zero guides flush their motors at spicers, if it’s pissing you’re good.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86792 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 1:46 pm to
I get it. I just know they say every time
Posted by Boudreauboudreaugoly
Land of the Rice n Son
Member since Oct 2017
2784 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 2:06 pm to
quote:

One was totally clogged with what looked like tiny bits of gravel.


Zebra mussels?
Posted by One More Shot
Member since Nov 2021
397 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 2:24 pm to
if you feel its scaled up bad then get 3 or 4 gallons of vinegar and heat it up bout 160* put in a big enough bucket to go around your pickup and let that suck up thru there. put a return hose back to the bucket from the pisser and that scale and corrosion will run outta there like white snot.
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71551 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 2:42 pm to
Salt isn't a problem. I flush mine with the hose on the flushing port when I go salt water fishing and know the boat is going to sit up a while. If it didn't have a port I wouldn't do it or worry about it. All the owners manuals I've seen lately specifically say to not worry about it.

Growth can be a problem if it's going to live in salt water. Not much you can do about that except use it often or make sure the engines are tilted out when sitting a long time.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86792 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 3:04 pm to
Straight from the manual:

quote:

AFTER EACH USE
• Flush out the outboard cooling system if operating in salt, polluted, or
muddy water. Refer to Flushing the Cooling System.
• Wash off all salt deposits and flush out the exhaust outlet of the propeller
and gearcase with fresh water if operating in saltwater.
• If operating in saltwater, inspect the powerhead and powerhead
components for salt buildup. Refer to Cleaning Care for the Powerhead
(Saltwater Use).

Posted by Theduckhunter
South Louisiana
Member since May 2022
1423 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 4:26 pm to
I just can’t imagine not rinsing something that’s been in saltwater… it’s pretty cheap insurance.
This post was edited on 8/5/24 at 4:40 pm
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
71551 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 8:16 pm to
Etechs must be better. It just says flush it if you feel like it.
Posted by AlxTgr
Kyre Banorg
Member since Oct 2003
86792 posts
Posted on 8/5/24 at 8:19 pm to
I guess that's why they are still selling so many.
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
6644 posts
Posted on 8/6/24 at 10:21 am to
I hit the trim and top after almost every trip. IMO, there are millions of outboards around the world that never flushing and they run for thousands of hours. I sprayed my block with corrosion x last month but that's the extent i have done.
Not sure how many hours i will get out of mine before it shits the bed but the coast guard has thousands of hours on some of their hondas so i am hopeful.
Posted by baldona
Florida
Member since Feb 2016
23764 posts
Posted on 8/6/24 at 11:04 am to
quote:

I hit the trim and top after almost every trip. IMO, there are millions of outboards around the world that never flushing and they run for thousands of hours. I sprayed my block with corrosion x last month but that's the extent i have done.
Not sure how many hours i will get out of mine before it shits the bed but the coast guard has thousands of hours on some of their hondas so i am hopeful.


I don't disagree if you are a guide and replacing a motor often, but for the avg rec guy that's putting 100-200 hours a year and hoping his motor lasts 10-15 years I think not flushing seems crazy.

There's guides that replace their outboards every 2 years, I wouldn't sweat that either as corrosion is taking time no matter what.
Posted by KemoSabe65
70605
Member since Mar 2018
6644 posts
Posted on 8/6/24 at 11:20 am to
Would wager most rec boaters don't put 50 hours per year on their motors and keep them on a trailer. Flushing gives them something to do when they are putting the boat up and makes them "feel good".
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