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Lower unit flush?
moguls2go	#1  Posted on 04/11/12 - 3:48 PM
Member Posts: 23 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/17/09	We recently moved from the great lakes area to the Northeast and I'm dealing with saltwater for the first time in my life. Our 115 hp merc per-dates the garden-hose flush features, and I'm looking for some input on flushing after use. Last season was only a half season for us, but I flushed the motor after every use with a pair of "earmuffs" while the engine was tilted up. -Do I need to flush the motor with fresh water after every use? - Is there any detriment to running the motor (with earmuffs attached) while in the tilted up position? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Max 1991 17' Outrage
Joe Kriz	#2  Posted on 04/11/12 - 3:55 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	You want to flush the motor with fresh water after every use unless you are using it everyday... The motor needs to be in the down position with the muffs on...
Phil T	#3  Posted on 04/11/12 - 4:56 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 7043 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	The flushing is to remove the salt from the cooling system in the engine block You want to run it at idle. Do not run higher that 1k rpm's since there is not sufficient water pressure when on the muffs. This is my routine when I get home from the ramp. - Park the trailer. - hook up the muffs - turn on the water. - start the motor. - unpack all the gear frOm boat and tow vehicle - recoil all the lines, bumpers, stow PDF's. - dump any trash. - turn off motor - turn off hose, change muffs for nozzle. - decouple trailer - spray off the hull inside and out - rinse the trailer Elapsed time ~ 20-25 minutes. Edited by Phil T on 04/11/12 - 4:58 PM 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
contender250	#4  Posted on 04/11/12 - 5:44 PM
Member Posts: 363 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/09/11	Phil has the correct idea to a T, the only thing that I do is I remove the engine cover and spary down(crc, engine block, some type of marine protectant) the entire engine and the rams (tilt and trim) as well
moguls2go	#5  Posted on 04/12/12 - 5:19 AM
Member Posts: 23 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/17/09	Thanks for the input guys. My challenge is that we keep the boat in the water, so there's no way for me to flush the motor without it being tilted up. Any thoughts or suggestions?
tedious	#6  Posted on 04/12/12 - 6:18 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1072 Comments: 2 Joined: 09/07/08	If you keep it in the water, flush it in the fall when you haul, and otherwise forget about it. Tim
moguls2go	#7  Posted on 04/12/12 - 7:48 AM
Member Posts: 23 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/17/09	What's the downside to flushing it whie it's tilted up in the water?
Gamalot	#8  Posted on 04/12/12 - 8:13 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1086 Comments: 3 Joined: 06/21/10	You apparently have fresh water at the dock and ear muffs. Why not hook it up, drop the motor and flush it out with fresh. The muffs should be covering the water intake and should keep the salt out in the process. Just a thought but I don't have any salt water around these parts.