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Started By
Message
what do you use when descaling your outboard motor?
Posted on 11/3/17 at 3:32 pm
Posted on 11/3/17 at 3:32 pm
i see some people just use dish soap poured into the hose before flushing to run through the engine and clean it out and some people swear it works wonders to neutralize the salt residue, but im having a hard time believing this is going to do anything much for removing scale as a yearly maint flush because i dont know how it can remove scale already built up inside the engine.
i see online where some people say they use vinegar (which is a mild acid) to descale engines then run dish soap through them after descaling to neutralize the acid and help clean out dirt in the passages. this is the method im thinking i will try.
then i see some people buy name brand products designed to descale engines. im told these are nothing more then vinegar with detergents added to them mixed in water then they put on a fancy label and name
i also see some people say they use muratic acid (a very harsh and highly corrosive acid) to descale engines then run dish soap through them to neutralize the acid and clean the passages. i also heard that muratic acid is way to harsh and will eat up the gaskets so im not going to try this stuff.

i see online where some people say they use vinegar (which is a mild acid) to descale engines then run dish soap through them after descaling to neutralize the acid and help clean out dirt in the passages. this is the method im thinking i will try.
then i see some people buy name brand products designed to descale engines. im told these are nothing more then vinegar with detergents added to them mixed in water then they put on a fancy label and name

i also see some people say they use muratic acid (a very harsh and highly corrosive acid) to descale engines then run dish soap through them to neutralize the acid and clean the passages. i also heard that muratic acid is way to harsh and will eat up the gaskets so im not going to try this stuff.
This post was edited on 11/3/17 at 7:03 pm
Posted on 11/4/17 at 2:51 am to keakar
Just flush it out every time you use it in saltwater with fresh water if you are worried about scaling. Run it long enough till the Tstat opens.
Posted on 11/4/17 at 6:18 am to keakar
I wouldn’t run anything but water in it. I always try to do it while the engine is still hot.
Posted on 11/4/17 at 8:03 am to fishfighter
I never thought about this, but I guess using the convenient flush port on Yamahas doesn't ever let this happen because you aren't supposed to run your engine when using it. I was wondering why I had so much salt gel like buildup when I replaced my internal anodes, but I think you might have solved that
Posted on 11/4/17 at 8:11 am to tight lines
You can use vinegar but I would do it in a big tub so it recirculates. Just flush it with plain water after. The vinegar isnt strong enough to eat through the motor.
Posted on 11/4/17 at 1:04 pm to fishfighter
quote:
Just flush it out every time you use it in saltwater with fresh water if you are worried about scaling. Run it long enough till the Tstat opens.
quote:
I wouldn’t run anything but water in it. I always try to do it while the engine is still hot.
well to clarify, i do run it with fresh water every time, but i want to do a more thorough cleaning at least once a year, since simple flushing doesnt do as great a job as you would think. if you have ever changed your own water pump impellers you would see why i want to do a descaling and flush since it is really shocking to see the amount of corrosion that gets inside there even though you regularly and routinely flush it very good all the time.
so im talking more along the lines of a once a year treatment, not routine maint after each use.
i was very surprised to read how squirting regular old dish soap added into the hose before you connect it when flushing, can do wonders to prevent the corrosion from starting that seems to happen no matter what you do
Posted on 11/4/17 at 1:06 pm to keakar
Flush with Salt Away on muffs, reminds me its about time to check my internal anodes this winter
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