How to Flush an Outboard Engine | BoatUS

No matter where you boat, if you have an outboard motor, the best thing you can do to help prolong its life and keep it in good running shape is to flush it with freshwater after every use. This is especially important in saltwater or brackish water. But even if you boat in freshwater lakes or rivers, you still need to do this important maintenance task every time because it's easy to suck up mud, grit, and other contaminants. Always follow your outboard boat engine manufacturer's recommendations for how to perform this maintenance, but generally it's pretty much the same other than amount of time to run freshwater through the system. Some companies say 5 minutes, others say 10. Generally more is better. Some outboard engines have flushing ports, which make the job very simple. If your outboard motor doesn't have a port, you'll need to use earmuffs, which slip over the intakes and deliver freshwater from a hose into the motor. For this, you'll need to start the engine, but make sure to leave it in neutral and don't touch the throttle. One important tip: Don't hook up the hose and walk away to do other tasks. It's critical to ensure the water continues to flow and the earmuffs don't shift while doing this, otherwise it may damage your outboard. Read more about outboard flushing at https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2014/may/outboard-flushing-the-right-way 🚩Enjoy this video? Become a BoatUS Member today to get 25+ valuable benefits including a subscription to award-winning BoatUS Magazine! https://boat.us/e/sy-join 🚩Visit the BoatUS Magazine website: https://www.boatus.com/Expert-Advice. BoatUS is the nation’s largest association of recreational boaters with more than half a million Members. We provide a diverse offering of services including marine insurance, on-the-water towing provided by TowBoatUS, the nation’s largest fleet, plus boat financing, graphics and lettering, representation for boaters on Capitol Hill, the award-winning BoatUS Magazine and much more. For more than 50 years, BoatUS has made boating safer, more affordable and more accessible. 🚩Download the BoatUS App today to access NOAA marine weather, tides, exclusive Member discounts, and your BoatUS account. Assistance on the water has never been easier with TowBoatUS CONNECT in the BoatUS App — the fastest way to get a tow! https://boat.us/sy-app 🚩Connect with us: https://Facebook.com/BoatUS https://Twitter.com/BoatUS https://Instagram.com/BoatUS https://Pinterest.com/BoatUS https://linkedin.com/company/boatus #outboard #flushing #boatus