Remove Salt from Outboard & Inboard Motors

Salt water has a range of impacts on marine motors, from calcification build-up to pitting corrosion to the more serious galvanic corrosion, where dissimilar metals create an electrical reaction in the presence of salt water.

All these forms of corrosion are out of sight, so out of mind until it is too late. A severe reaction often occurs between the head gasket and the surrounding aluminium and this eats away the top of the cooling jacket. The 3 cylinder outboard in the photo has sever major areas of galvanic corrosion caused by this.

Looking closer, the damage has totally eaten away the cooling jacket, exposing the cylinder liners.

Also the difference between the calcification around the top cylinder and the bottom cylinder is very clear to see. The salt water can drain from the top part of the jacket, but sits around the lower cylinders when the engine is not in use, causing a continuous reaction, steadily eating away at your motor.

Unfortunately motor flushing with fresh water is ineffective in removing the salt that causes calcification and corrosion. Salt deposits build up over time, helped by the motors operating temperature and the deterioration inside your motor's cooling system starts, out of sight so you never even think it is happening until it is too late.

This build up of salt deposits will block narrow cooling corridors, resulting in overheating or 'hot spots' in the motor which can cause piston 'grab' and seizure, resulting in an engine rebuild.

How about other areas or the motor?

1. What is the cooling water's exit path? Through the exhaust.... Is the exhaust hot? You bet so it causes moisture evaporation and drying of the salt deposits. In fact, anywhere salt water can enter, deposits can build up. If there is motor warmth, this build up is accelerated.

Salt can get into unseen locations and totally destroy major components, split bearing housings from the inside or totally eat through castings. The first sign is blistering on the outside and the full consequences of the damage only become apparent when it's too late.

Salt-X SX50 can prevent all of this!
SX50 given time, can even turn back the clock!!

How to Remove Salt Corrosion & Deposits

For Outboard & sterndrives the Auto-Mix Injector is the easiest system. To use the Auto-Mix Injector:

1. Install the Auto-Mix Injector into your fresh water flush hose, making sure water flow is in the direction of the arrow. 
2. Start the water flow and the motor, bring to running temperature. This allows the thermostat to open and the system to work fully (this is not required for direct powerhead water flush connection) 
3. With the motor running, unscrew and remove the clear bowl from the Auto-Mix Injector, dump the water and add the recommended amount of SX50 for your motor. Refit the bowl containing the SX50 concentrate. 
4. Water will fill the bowl and the solution then runs into your motor. Allow to flush for the pre-determined time, then turn off the motor and water immediately. 
5. Do not flush the SX50 out of the cooling system! 

For Inboard motors that draw their cooling water from the sea via a skin fitting in the hull, a T piece with valve needs to be inserted between the sea cock and the motor's sea water pump. This will allow you to introduce SX50 into the cooling system, be it direct into the engine block or into a heat exchanger.

If you need assistance with any these systems, please contact us for help.

No Fresh Water? No Problems!

SX50 can still be used if you do not have fresh water! SX50 can neutralize salt water and turn it into a flushing solution! All you have to do is increase the concentration to 1 part SX50 - 20 parts Salt water!

Damaged outboard photos courtesy of
http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Lower_unit.htm