Flushing motor in a barrel - any cons?

[McGillicuddy]

I picked up a 55 gallon barrel thinking I'd cut it down and use it to flush my motor rather than using the rabbit ears. Thought it would be a lot quieter and not put unnecessary pressure on water intake and pump. Are there any cons, like cycling carbons or oils through the system, to doing this, or should I stick to the hose method? I have a 2-stroke Merc inline 6 if it matters...

[lost2a6]

You'll be circulating salt water back into the engine. Sort of like peeing into the wind.

[McGillicuddy]

Come on Steve, I know a thing or to about pissin' into wind - I do that atop Mt Whitney just to stay warm at night Nonetheless point taken. But really, the salt residue is going out the pisser hole and will land outside the barrel; and even if a little splashes in the salt will be so diluted by the incoming fresh water that the salt is but a trace, no?

[Fr. Frank]

But really, the salt residue is going out the pisser hole and will land outside the barrel; and even if a little splashes in the salt will be so diluted by the incoming fresh water that the salt is but a trace, no?

Actually, no. Most of the salt is passed out the motor through the exhaust: both the relief ports and the primary exhaust through the lower-unit hub. Most of the salt is in fact put back into the water you're recirculating.

However, that amount of salt is so small in relation to the 20-30 gallons of water in the barrel/drum, that it becomes insignificant as a corrosive.

It's all good.

[McGillicuddy]

Good point, thanks Fr. Frank. I wasn't even thinking how much water gets expelled through the prop. So if I keep fresh water flowing into the tub to keep the recycled water cool and cleaner, I should be fine, eh?

[Fr. Frank]

So if I keep fresh water flowing into the tub to keep the recycled water cool and cleaner, I should be fine, eh?

That'll do it. Truth be told, just the 20-30 gallons in the tub is all you need.

[thehermit]

I went to this for my water hungry Yami last year….your neighbors will LOVE you. Much quieter than muffs. Note: I drilled a hole in the bottom of mine and I use a boat drain plug in it and pull when done.

[Islandtrader]

This will most likely open up a can of worms...however here it goes.

Why flush? I have a Yamaha 115 that has been run for 11 years and never once has it been flushed. It's had all the normal maintenance but never flushed. I do believe the hype over motor flushing is way over rated.

Throw some salt water on your window. Let it dry...how much build up is there?

Just my thoughts.

[Fr. Frank]

This will most likely open up a can of worms...however here it goes.

Why flush? I have a Yamaha 115 that has been run for 11 years and never once has it been flushed. It's had all the normal maintenance but never flushed. I do believe the hype over motor flushing is way over rated.

Throw some salt water on your window. Let it dry...how much build up is there?

Just my thoughts.

It isn't salt build up that's the problem. It's salt-induced corrosion. And if you've run all 11 years in salt water, I wouldn't bet on the good condition of your water jacket. I've opened far too many unflushed motors and seen the ill effects of not flushing. You will undoubtedly have experienced galvanic erosion of the aluminum. Just not enough yet to cause catastrophic failure.

[Islandtrader]

I've opened far too many unflushed motors and seen the ill effects

Maybe I should say if you use the motor all the time.

The reason for my comment was this. My brother in law who owns and runs a OB repair shop (over 15 years) in SW FL. has always said the problem is not the salt it is the lack of running them. If you run them...no need to flush. He does a lot of commercial boats, and they do not have the corrosion problem. The guy that comes down for the winter runs his boat a few times and then leaves without flushing is the one with problems.

My 115 has been in salt the whole time, and I guess time will tell. However after a 11 years, how many motors make it that long in FL.?