Should engine be drained after flushing with muffs?

[ErikC]

I flush my engine after every trip in the bay to get rid of salt water but I never drain whats left in the engine after flushing. Should I? My engine has a bottom valve with a long handle that goes to the top to drain. :huh:

 

[smittyasc3]

I installed an engine flush kit and was wondering the same thing So I am going to follow your post.

 

[Bucit]

I'm a long time salt water boater and owned a marine construction company. I always flush the mototrs but have never drained the motor afterwards. The concept with flushing the motor is to flush the salt deposits out of the motor and outdrive. The fresh water that remains is not going to cause any additional corrosion. As long as you flush the salt deposits away you're fine. With the 5.0's you can actually install a flush kit where you do not have to use muffs. Unfortuantely I'm not as lucky with the 4.3's.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Correct. The only reason to drain would be if you are expecting freezing temperatures. You may actually experience more internal corrosion (surface rust) by draining.

 

[smittyasc3]

Thanks Gents! Hope everybody has a great Memorial Day Weekend! Weather is supposed to be nice here and we're going to sleep out for the first time and watch the air show!

 

[OldSkool]

Air can do more damage to salt water contaminated parts then fresh water or even leaving the salt water in. We had 10 machines that were flood by Ike while sitting in port in Tx. Out of the ten, three were serviced and usable, two were drained and left and the rest sat with salt water in the engines, transmissions and diff's. The ones that were drained and left open were ultimately junked. Corrosion was so bad no parts could be saved. The machine with salt water remaining in them were drained and rebuilt. This was after sitting for 3 month with salt water in them. All the machines were sold out of country to one owner with full disclosure as US does not allow for resale within the country.

 

[tcason]

Use Salt-Away as final rinse and leave it in engine to work it's magic.