BOATS.COM Review – Suzuki Marine US

Outboard Expert: Salt Solutions

Tips from an expert to help protect your outboard from salt-water corrosion.

Outboard manufacturers have made great strides in preventing salt-water induced corrosion

problems, what with the advent of better alloys and coatings, water-tight electrical

connections, and handy flush fittings. But the ocean is as salty as ever, and you can do a lot

to promote both the daily reliability and long-term life of even a new outboard by following

some tips from an expert.

Modern outboards are well-protected from salt water, but a few extra maintenance steps can

keep them free of salt-corrosion issues.

My expert is David Greenwood, the product planning manager at Suzuki Marine. David has

been working for the Suzuki outboard operation for more than 24 years, helping to develop

new motors, conducting durability testing on current models, and working on rigging and

application issues with Suzuki dealers and boat-builder partners. He also helps out at media

events, which is how I spotted him at a Florida launch-ramp parking lot, spraying down

powerheads with an aerosol can. I learn something every time I talk with David, and this

seemed like a good time to pick his brain, which led to a general discussion of the care of an

outboard in salt water. Here are Greenwood’s suggestions:

1. Rinse the Powerhead. After every outing remove the cowl and rinse the powerhead with

fresh water. You can do this after you’ve rinsed the motor internally with the fresh-water flush

fitting.

“The cowl can’t be water-tight,” said Greenwood, “because we still need to get air to the

engine. Most newer outboards have a pretty good intake system that’s designed to separate

moisture from the air and drain it away. But the air under the cowl is still sort of a salt-water

mist, and over time salt can build up and start corroding electrical connectors, hose clamps,

unpainted bolts, and any areas where two pieces of metal come together, or there’s a

gasket, and the paint can loosen a little over time.”

David Greenwood of Suzuki gives a rinsed powerhead a coat of Corrosion Block to protect it

from salt-water nastiness.

So, off with the cowl and out with the hose. All you need is garden-hose pressure, or the

spray of your thumb over the end. A high-pressure sprayer might cause damage to electrical

connections. Start at the top and rinse down. If they snap off easily, remove any plastic

covers from the powerhead so you can do a more-thorough rinse job. Greenwood says it’s

safe to drench anything on the motor, but take care to avoid spraying water into the throttle

body or carburettor bodies, which could allow water to enter the engine. Then leave the cowl

off and let the powerhead dry.

Here’s another Greenwood insight – tests conducted by Suzuki have shown that it takes five

minutes of flushing at city-water pressure to remove all traces of salinity from inside the

outboard powerhead, using the garden-hose flushing fitting.

2. Apply Corrosion Inhibitor. Spray the powerhead down with a marine-grade silicone

product.

Greenwood likes a product called Corrosion Block, available at West Marine and other retail

outlets.

“I can say that Corrosion Block is a product that stands up to its claims,” said Greenwood. “I

found out about it because one of the engineers that developed the product owned a Suzuki

outboard. I ran into him some place, and the motor was about 15 years old and had seen

regular use in salt water. He pulled off the cowl and it looked like new. So I asked how he did

it. This stuff was his secret.”

The old grease on this tilt tube will attract dirt and hold salt. Keep it clean and well-lubed to

prevent corrosion.

Greenwood says that like most silicone sprays, Corrosion Block displaces water, but as it

dries it leaves behind a thin coating that does not evaporate away.

“It lasts a lot longer than that famous silicone product,” said Greenwood. “If you are familiar

with the LPS 3 spray, the coating is not as thick and waxy as that. But enough stays behind

to protect surfaces that could corrode. And from what I’ve seen it’s compatible with rubber,

plastics and even the adhesive on electrical tape, which some products will dissolve.”

Over a typical salt-water season, Greenwood recommends three applications of Corrosion

Block, and one at the end of the season before winter lay-up. Spray it everywhere.

3. Use Your Grease Gun. Follow the guidance of your owner’s manual to locate grease

fittings on the motor, and keep them lubed up.

“I’d do this monthly on my own motor,” said Greenwood. “Use water resistant marine grease,

and pay special attention to the tilt tube. You want to keep that clean and freshly greased.”

Fresh grease keeps the prop from bonding to the prop shaft.

4. Pull the Prop. Inspect the prop shaft seal area for fishing line, and keep the shaft

greased.

“This is another one-a-month habit to get into,” said Greenwood. “The grease on the shaft

will rinse away over time, and next thing you know the prop is corroded to the shaft. Fishing

line will eat through the shaft seal. Fresh water in the gearcase is bad. Salt water is killer.

That’s an expensive repair.”

For detailed instructions on prop shaft seal inspection, see my previous columns on the

subject: Prop shaft care, and Prop shaft Line Removal.

About the author:

Charles Plueddeman

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Charles Plueddeman is Boats.com's outboard, trailer, and PWC expert. He is a former

editor at Boating Magazine and contributor to many national publications since 1986.

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This feature was posted on Friday, April 9th, 2010 at 12:25 pm and is filed under Boat Maintenance

and DIY,Engines, FeaturedGallery, How To, Outboard engine, Powerboat.

Tags: Boat Maintenance and DIY, lubrication, propellers, salt water corrosion

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