outboard motor run tank DIY

[RussC]

I was feeling bored today and the 5HP Merc (Tohatsu) was due for an oil change and winterizing. I'm able to leave the motor on my boats all the time due to having a 6:1 motor lift attached to the stern railing so I deemed a portable run tank to be a necessity. photos are pretty self explanatory but the tank itself is a 6 gal jug purchased on Amazon for ~$26.00. with some careful planning an appropriate hole was cut in the top with a jig saw for motor and prop clearance. add a piece of plexiglass and a chunk of low stretch rope I had laying around + some pipe fittings for a drain and wala.
I used it today and it worked great to safely run the engine for long enough to warm up the oil before a change and to run the fuel out in preparation for storage!

 

[Project_Mayhem]

Nice work! I'm surprised it doesn't spill over while running

 

[RussC]

Nice work! I'm surprised it doesn't spill over while running

Thanks. it was very well contained. in fact I never added any water at all during my run time. I didn't try putting it in gear however .

 

[Richard19068]

Thanks. it was very well contained. in fact I never added any water at all during my run time. I didn't try putting it in gear however .

I've always wondered if I got a complete flush in a rinse tank without being in gear. Does anybody know?

 

[Project_Mayhem]

I've always wondered if I got a complete flush in a rinse tank without being in gear. Does anybody know?

I'd imagine it'd be worse as the RPM's drop and there would be more air introduced into the water from turbulence and vibrations

 

[RussC]

regardless of the engine being operated in gear or in neutral that has no impact on how well the cooling system is flushed. Anytime the engine is running the water pump is always turning regardless.

 

[Joe]

I use a 13 gal kitchen trash container.