You can use water muffs or a fitting scewed into the "flush" port. Personally I wouldn't bother flushing. I have found that the most cost effective way to operate an outboard in a well is to run it without service or attention at about 5 yearly service intervals. At the end of 10 years pull it out and sell on ebay. The cost saved in servicing will pay for the new motor. What you do have to do is pull the thermostat out straight away. This will rapidly seize shut (within 12 months) and cause the motor to cook, likely what has in actual fact caused your old motor to fail. I have had many years trouble free with this method. Don't waste your time worrying about flushing with fresh water.

Obsession said...

Frant your are pretty close to the mark as the old owner never flushed and the motor lasted 15 years
My only concern is the warranty as I read a thread about a new motor overheating an voiding the warranty www.fishraider.com.au/topic/10418-5-month-old-tohatsu-and-its-seized/
The motor Iam buying is 18hp Tohatsu as is the only one that will fit the well

Have you tried to fit a Yamaha or Honda 10 hp 4 stroke? Fitted with a high thrust prop you will get better performance than the 18hp Tohatsu particularly in reverse or punching into a headwind/sea. Will be a lot quieter and have the benefit of a high output alternator.

My 9.8 Tohatsu has a bolt on the block that can be removed to allow water to be pumped into the motor. I just use a squeeze bottle full of water pumped into the bolt hole and it doesn't take much time before fresh water is running out of the exhaust instead of salt. The maintenance guy says it's pretty much as effective as using muffs and it's certainly easy.