should I be flushing my engine after each freshwater use?

[adamsrotors]

was down installing my cobra fins and noticed the warning label talk about engine flushing. this is my first jet boat, so wasn't sure how it works.
I'm only on rivers and lakes with zero salt/brackish water, FYI.

 

[Scottintexas]

I don't and it's been 11 years, I'm fresh dirty lake water

 

[haknslash]

I didn't. Some do especially if you boat in heavy silt.

 

[captras]

I agree with others....it is absolutely not necessary. I, however, do flush mine after every boating weekend. I only operate here in Texas in fresh water lakes. However, I previously owned a Four Winns, I/O for many years. While it was in for maintenance, my mechanic was showing me some of the intake and cooling system deposits. He said much of it was normal, considering the age of the boat (1987), but also said that even freshwater lakes has some degree of pollutants and minerals that can build up with time. In my opinion, the extra 20-30 minutes each weekend to flush all my watercraft with fresh tap water, is very cheap insurance.

 

[Julian]

I agree with others....it is absolutely not necessary

I agree...totally not necessary. The water you will be flushing it with likely came out of the lake you were driving on! Running it WOT on the lake will flush the engine WAY better than at idle on a hose connection.

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

I only run in salt but I use a car wash soap to flush the cooling systems jackets out , car wash soap has a liquid wax in it that stays behind and helps keep things from building up in the water jackets, so if I was in fresh water I would still rinse with car wash soap plus when I see some of the pump areas that fresh water boats look pretty dirty on the exterior from minerals or pollution or marine growth so everyone is different.

 

[BrentEB]

I agree it's probably not necessary every time, but fresh water usually does have some minerals (carbonates) that can deposit over time. I'd at least flush with salt away after a month of heavy use.

 

[adamsrotors]

I only run in salt but I use a car wash soap to flush the cooling systems jackets out , car wash soap has a liquid wax in it that stays behind and helps keep things from building up in the water jackets, so if I was in fresh water I would still rinse with car wash soap plus when I see some of the pump areas that fresh water boats look pretty dirty on the exterior from minerals or pollution or marine growth so everyone is different.

what's your technique on getting soap into system?
I was just under th impression you use the adapter on hose and fire it up?

 

[luisquinones1976]

what's your technique on getting soap into system?
I was just under th impression you use the adapter on hose and fire it up?

I would like to know as well

 

[Gunner]

Use a container like the Salt Away product uses

 

[zipper]

what's your technique on getting soap into system?
I was just under th impression you use the adapter on hose and fire it up?

Very important!!!! If you did not already know. You fire it up first, then turn on the hose. For shut down, turn off hose first then shut down engine.
Very important to know the procedure.

 

[luisquinones1976]

Very important!!!! If you did not already know. You fire it up first, then turn on the hose. For shut down, turn off hose first then shut down engine.
Very important to know the procedure.

Just curious as to the soap portion. On my jet skis I always used salt away but curious on using soap

 

[SoxFan]

For my Salt Away, I replaced the small medicine bottle sized container they provide with a much larger Miracle Grow bottle hooked up to my hose. It also has a hose shut off valve on the bottle which makes it much easier to shut the flow off “before“ I shut the motor off.

 

[Maccam26]

There’s more deposits in the hard water at my tap than in my lake so we don’t.