Why flush a marine engine with fresh water after each use?

[jec...@hotmail.com]

I am purchasing a boat with an OMC V8 engine. And as I kinda research
on the Internet on how to best keep the engine in good shape a lot of
you recommend to flush with fresh water after each use to get raw water
out when the boat is not used. I am wondering that should help when the
engine is cooled with raw water when it runs. I mean dos it help to
flush with freshwater after use when you the engine is exposed to raw
water anyway? Does it matter whether a marine engine is exposed to raw
water when it is used or not as long as you keep water in the engine to
keep it from getting exposed to air/oxygen?
Anyone I know here in Nuuk where I live does not flush there marine
engines. They say they never heard of it.

Thanks
Jens-Erik
Nuuk, Greenland

[Brian D]

I know that people around here don't flush their motors out when the boat's
kept in the water all the time, but the trailer boaters do. When it comes
to a V8, maybe they are just being anal? I know this doesn't answer your
question, but it's another data point.

Brian

<jec...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1142783387....@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

[Bill]

Do most there keep the same boat long term?
What kind of repairs are considered usual?

I always flushed mine when I got home as part of the routine of returning
home.
It was a freshwater cooled OMC (Chevy 305) that was used to go fishing and 1
to 2-week trips on the water in the Summer.
I performed required maintenance and it never failed me in 15 years.
I was still surprised by the amount of damage done to the waterways by salt
water. The aluminum in the outdrive faired much better than the exhaust
manifold.

The engine will trap water within some chambers so there is still that place
where air and moisture meet and decay will start eating away at the metal.
Removing as much salt content from the inside surfaces and trapped water is
the goal.
Make sure you keep on top of your anodes in the heat exchanger and lower
unit, they can go fast depending on usage.

Bill

<jec...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1142783387....@g10g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...

[jec...@hotmail.com]

I have a couple of type spelling errors, sorry. The part that says: "I

am wondering that should help when the

engine is cooled with raw water when it runs" should instead say "I am
wondering why that should help when the
engine is cooled with raw water when it runs anyway?" I mean why should
it help to flush the engine with fresh water after use when the engine
is exposed saltwater when it is used anyway?

Thanks again.
Jens-Erik

[Denny]

Flushing with fresh water cannot hurt, and will slow the corrosion
process.. Your call...

denny

[bBob]

"Denny" <k8...@mailblocks.com> wrote in message
news:1142857208....@v46g2000cwv.googlegroups.com...

> Flushing with fresh water cannot hurt, and will slow the corrosion
> process..

It will also (and more importantly to me anyway) reduce the solids buildup
that blocks coolant passages.