Outboard Motors

[K.C. Walker]

Oh, man. Why do I have to keep learning new stuff?

Now small engine maintenance. Will it never end? Will I never get to just be an old man, stuck in a rut, telling the same stories over and over? I didn't even want another boat. My wife made me get it. What was she thinking?

LOL! Smart woman. She's keeping you occupied and out of her hair!

[K.C. Walker]

I was at a Rhode Island salt pond yesterday and observing all the boats with their outboard motors tilted up at their docks. Of course, this keeps them from as actively corroding but I'll be willing to bet very few people are flushing them out. I observed the same thing when I lived out on Cape Cod. I was wondering how long a lifespan these outboards get. I know that my boat yard up on the freshwater lake pretty much throws up the sign of the cross whenever they see a saltwater motor, so I'm guessing the corrosion is significant.

[Rummel]

I rely on my outboards for more than a good time so I flush with fresh water after each use.
If you use an outboard in salt, I would flush it out as often as is practical.

[talbot]

She also got me into playing music and owning a dog. All the things that take lots of time, cost money, and bite you when you least expect it. But without her, I'd have nothing to do after work but hang out on internet forums.

[bburke001]

I was going to start a new thread, but figured you all might be able to chime in. Just picked up a Daysailer 1 and the the PO "threw in" a 5HP 4 stroke Nissan Marine outboard saying he wasn't sure if it ran. It was lying in the boat for "a long time". Once it was cleaned up it looks brand new. I put in a new fuel filter, changed the oil and the gear oil. Went to change the spark plug and when I removed the old plug fluid came out of the hole (about a tbsp, it smelled like gas, but was also clear like water). Any ideas?

[jeadstx]

It could be that gas with ethanol was left in the tank. Ethanol turns to water over time and causes rust. It would still smell like gas.

John