Washing Motor

Gerry Patterson

New Member
Sep 27, 2021
24
Cocoa, FL
Boat Info
2011 Sea Ray, Sundeck 240
Engines
1ea, Mercuriser 5.0 w/Bravo 3
Hi All,
New to the forum and owning an I/O.

This probably sounds dumb, but is it safe for me to rinse the engine and components with city water after use? I want to wash off any salt and prevent further corrosion by applying WD40 a couple times a year.

Not sure how many electrical components I'm going to damage- It is a Smartcraft.
 
Wash gently and you'll be fine. You may want to cover the intake to be safe. Look up products like Salt Away and Salt Terminator.

FYI, something like Boeshield is light years ahead of WD40 and will last much longer.
 
Wash gently and you'll be fine. You may want to cover the intake to be safe. Look up products like Salt Away and Salt Terminator.

FYI, something like Boeshield is light years ahead of WD40 and will last much longer.
Thank you!
 
If it really needs a bath, only do it after it's cold. Cold water and hot cast iron = a loud pop when it cracks. Hot engine components can also cause a vacuum that sucks water into places you don't want it. Watch out around electrical components and connections. They also don't like water.
 
Its the inside of the engine that needs to be washed/flushed after use in salt water. Have you got that in your routine too?
 
Its the inside of the engine that needs to be washed/flushed after use in salt water. Have you got that in your routine too?
Yes I put a set of ears on it and run it for a couple minutes to flush the water pump. Not that it matters lol, the last guy kept it in the water on the intracoastal.
 
If it really needs a bath, only do it after it's cold. Cold water and hot cast iron = a loud pop when it cracks. Hot engine components can also cause a vacuum that sucks water into places you don't want it. Watch out around electrical components and connections. They also don't like water.
Just trying to extend the life of things like alternator, pulleys and other components that are showing surface corrosion.
 
Just trying to extend the life of things like alternator, pulleys and other components that are showing surface corrosion.
In that case I'd steer away from water washing and stick with something like WD40 like you mentioned wanting to use. "Water Displacement, 40th try..." Boeshield is good, but it doesn't last long.
 
If you keep the compartment dry ,there is no need to get the motor wet, to cause connector corrosion or computer failure
 

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