Do I have to flush the boat engine with fresh water every time I use it in the ocean?

Question

I got a 93 Sea Rayder jet boat with 90hp Mercury engine. I was told I need to flush the engine with fresh water every time I use it in the ocean. Is that true? Can someone explain me how the cooling system works in this type of engine? Thanks

Answer 1

yes you need to, the water is sucked up through your lower unit and the circulates throughout the engine and over the heads, alittle comes out through a p**s hole to let you know water is circulating the rest goes out the hub of the prop with the exhaust.

Answer 2

Well you don't have to do anything if you don't want to. I have cruised for years and never done much of anything to our outboard. But, having said that, the salt is a corrosive and will eventually destroy anything left in contact with it. If you can flush it every time I would but if you can't it's not going to destroy your engine- immediately.

Answer 3

Yes you have to flush with fresh water to get the salt residue out of the system. If you dont the salt will cause damage from errosion. It works like any other cooling system. Same as a automobile.

Answer 4

you should flush the salt water out of the engine after every use in the ocean. the salt water will react to everything in the engine and cause corrosion. i am not sure how the cooling system works or where the pickup is on this motor.

Answer 5

YES!!!   TWICE!!!

Answer 6

To add to previous posts;

Without getting into zincs/sacrificial anodes, etc....here's a good rule of thumb: If you put in/take out of saltwater (like you would with a small trailerable boat like yours), wash everything you possibly can!!  There is nothing worse in the world for boats than saltwater....sun is a close second.

Stop at the "do-it-yourself" car wash on the way home and thoroughly rinse the hull....flush engine when you get home.  Wipe down all vinyl, gauges, etc.

Salt/sun=bad