Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

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onlybillhere
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Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

#1 Post by onlybillhere » Fri Jun 14, 2019 8:24 am

So my Mercury motor under the cowl has some grease and just general crap all long the bottom and the engine just looks like it needs a good cleaning. what product(s) would you recommend to clean the engine and get it back to a nice clean finish? I was thinking of using a engine degreaser but was afraid it would be too harsh. any recommendations?
1995 Sun Tracker 21 Party Barge
60HP Mercury 2 stroke
It's new! to me
Loving the life here in Deland, Fla.

onlybillhere
Posts: 253
Joined: Tue May 14, 2019 6:41 am

Re: Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

#2 Post by onlybillhere » Fri Jun 14, 2019 8:54 am

so obviously we don't want to spray water in the engine so I found these wipes that might be the ticket:
https://www.stpproducts.ca/products/deg ... aser-wipes
might pick up some of these and see if that helps.
1995 Sun Tracker 21 Party Barge
60HP Mercury 2 stroke
It's new! to me
Loving the life here in Deland, Fla.

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FLOUNDERPOUNDER225
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Re: Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

#3 Post by FLOUNDERPOUNDER225 » Fri Jun 14, 2019 9:15 am

for the lower powerhead area and down in the lower cowling that is difficult to reach, just spray some purple power, or engine degreaser down in there, let it sit for a few and wash it away with your garden hose sprayer, water isn't going to hurt anything in there, obviously don't spray water in the carbs if its a carbureted engine, and don't spray heavy water under the flywheel where the stator is, other than that let it rip, let it air dry in the sun.. if you operate in saltwater, use corrosion preventative on everything on the powerhead.
Pensacola FL
2015 Berkshire 231 RFC
Yamaha F-150

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TWB
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Re: Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

#4 Post by TWB » Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:46 am

:lol: This thread came at the perfect time. I noticed last weekend that there seemed to be a bit of build-up/gunk under the cowl of my Merc. Gonna try this clean up process asap.

Being in saltwater I use SaltAway after every trip out to flush and protect.

AGAIN this forum helps me learn. Thanks! :alright

-Paul
Paul & Michele
2003 Landau DX 24' Cruise "Loretta Jane"
2003 Mercury 75hp
My Rebuild: http://pontoonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=26135

"Don't waste brain cells over something you can do nothing about." --My Wife

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FLOUNDERPOUNDER225
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Re: Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

#5 Post by FLOUNDERPOUNDER225 » Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:26 am

TWB wrote:
Mon Jun 17, 2019 8:46 am
:lol: This thread came at the perfect time. I noticed last weekend that there seemed to be a bit of build-up/gunk under the cowl of my Merc. Gonna try this clean up process asap.

Being in saltwater I use SaltAway after every trip out to flush and protect.

AGAIN this forum helps me learn. Thanks! :alright

-Paul
Since you are SW operating like me, you can rinse the inside area with salt away, it won't hurt a thing. Also I use "corrosion X" annually and coat the power head, wiring , connectors everything, you'll never get corrosion anywhere on that powerhead
Pensacola FL
2015 Berkshire 231 RFC
Yamaha F-150

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TWB
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Re: Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

#6 Post by TWB » Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:07 pm

FLOUNDERPOUNDER225 wrote:
Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:26 am

Since you are SW operating like me, you can rinse the inside area with salt away, it won't hurt a thing. Also I use "corrosion X" annually and coat the power head, wiring , connectors everything, you'll never get corrosion anywhere on that powerhead
Great! Thanks, FLOUNDERPOUNDER225! I didn't think about SaltAway on the inside. I have used Corrosion X a little, but have just tried Fluid Film. My wife has it to coat her jetski motor.
Paul & Michele
2003 Landau DX 24' Cruise "Loretta Jane"
2003 Mercury 75hp
My Rebuild: http://pontoonforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=26135

"Don't waste brain cells over something you can do nothing about." --My Wife

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FLOUNDERPOUNDER225
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Re: Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

#7 Post by FLOUNDERPOUNDER225 » Tue Jun 18, 2019 7:07 am

TWB wrote:
Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:07 pm
FLOUNDERPOUNDER225 wrote:
Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:26 am

Since you are SW operating like me, you can rinse the inside area with salt away, it won't hurt a thing. Also I use "corrosion X" annually and coat the power head, wiring , connectors everything, you'll never get corrosion anywhere on that powerhead
Great! Thanks, FLOUNDERPOUNDER225! I didn't think about SaltAway on the inside. I have used Corrosion X a little, but have just tried Fluid Film. My wife has it to coat her jetski motor.
fluid film is excellent also, I just started using Corrosion X because that is what our dealer uses on everything. I'm sure either is just as good.
Pensacola FL
2015 Berkshire 231 RFC
Yamaha F-150

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Reiner
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Re: Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

#8 Post by Reiner » Wed Jun 19, 2019 4:21 pm

I rinse with salt away first from a spry bottle, then rinse carefully with fresh water from the hose. After drying I coat everything with Fluid Film. Try coating your fence etc. with Fluid Film to eliminate those hard water spots.
2015 Lowe SS 210 RFL XL Package 150 HP Merc
"The Nina" or "The Bismarck" my buddy's call it!
2011 Tundra

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Reiner
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Re: Cleaning your outboard motor, under the cowl

#9 Post by Reiner » Wed Jun 19, 2019 4:22 pm

I rinse with salt away first from a spray bottle, then rinse carefully with fresh water from the hose. After drying I coat everything with Fluid Film. Try coating your fence etc. with Fluid Film to eliminate those hard water spots.
2015 Lowe SS 210 RFL XL Package 150 HP Merc
"The Nina" or "The Bismarck" my buddy's call it!
2011 Tundra

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