Boating | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 33

Fashion penguins

penguins-sweaters

If you’ve ever seen a picture of a penguin running around in a hand-knitted sweater and thought it was just dog sweaters to the extreme, think again – these sweaters serve a legitimate purpose. Penguins are dressed in the brightly-colored sweaters after an oil spill to keep them from preening and to keep them warm.

The sweaters are knit from volunteers around the world, and placed on penguins that have been doused in the slick oil, so that they can’t ingest it when they preen themselves. Sweaters are also placed on the penguins that have had the oil cleaned and scrubbed off of them, because the detergents strip away the natural oils penguins produce to keep warm.

So next time you’re disposing of your boat motor oil, do it in a safe way. One quart may not equal an oil spill, but every little drop can be harmful to the environment.

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Don’t buy cheap oil

Yamaha oil

The better the oil you put in your motor, the better your boat is going to run. Look into high-quality Yamaha oil, which will keep your engine lubricated and running smoothly without any wear.

Yamaha oil will also keep you engine clean and safe for the environment, and extend the life of the engine at the same time. So, don’t just go for the sale price. Choose a quality product when it comes to shopping for oil.

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What’s the best oil for me?

Yamalube outboard motor oilWhen choosing what kind of oil to use in your outboard engine, it’s not always wise to go with whatever’s cheap. In order to keep your motor running smoothly and for quite some time, do a little research into what type of oil will best suit your boat. Don’t scrimp on oil, because it will just cause you problems later.

One type of recommended oil is Yamalube outboard motor oil. It’s a mineral oil that has anti-wear protection against piston wear and binding, which extends the life of the engine. It also promotes enhanced cleanliness of the engine components, anticorrosion and antirust components, leads to low levels of exhaust smoke, and has a low aquatic toxicity, among many other features.

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Preparing your outboard motor for winter

outboard motorAs autumn ushers in the cold weather that can be destructive to outboard motors, boat owners should think about the steps it takes to prepare their vessels for winter. The first step in getting an outboard motor ready for the winter is to remove all remaining gas from the carburetor – either by adding a gas stabilizer and running the engine until it dies, or draining and storing the gas for next season. Once the gas has been emptied, it’s safe to remove the motor and begin draining and refilling the lower gear unit.

Old gear lubricant should be drained from the lower gear unit and replaced with fresh lubricant to prevent rusting, freezing or breakage. The spark plugs should also be replaced when preparing an outboard motor for winter. Once they’ve been removed, an aerosol commercial fogger should be sprayed into the spark plug hole to prevent the piston and cylinder walls from corroding. After fogging the cylinder, rotate the engine flywheel to distribute the outboard motor oil on the cylinder walls, and finish with new spark plugs.

And even though the gas has been drained from the motor, the fuel filter should be removed and cleaned to drain any remaining trapped gas. If these preparative steps are taken every year, your motor should be running smoothly when spring rolls around.

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Coast Guard Contains Oil Leak off California Coast

marine engine oil

Coast Guard and California Department of Fish and Game officials responded to an emergency Monday morning that involved a leak of marine engine oil into Humboldt Bay, Calif., just inside of the Pacific Coast.

The leak came from a large wooden-hull boat tied to a dock in the town of Fields Landing. Coast Guard and Fish and Game officials were on the scene in roughly 30 minutes to contain the spillage, which involved the use of absorbent pads and a diver being sent down to patch up the source of the leak.

Officials said they had the situation under control and damage to the bay was kept at a minimum, though residents said they noticed a rainbow-colored sheen on the surface of the water. Authorities said the effects on the area’s wildlife were not clear. The name of the owner of the boat was not released.

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The Mercury Trailer Boat at Rest

The Mercury Trailer Boat at Rest

If your Mercury boat takes you into salt water, it is recommended that you park with the outdrive in the down position. This prevents barnacle formation on the bellows; if barnacles form, they can cut into the bellows and ultimately sink the boat. There have been many recent instances in the Midwest where beavers have eaten enough boat bellows to sink the craft and render it useless. If your Mercury outboard is stored in the sun with the outdrive down, it will also alleviate the effects of dry rot on the bellows.

Bellows should not have to be replaced more than once every five or six years, barring formation of a leak or hole. When performing preventative maintenance on the bellows, you may have more success with Mercury parts-they have a bellows kit-the Mercury shop manual, and/or Mercury’s Master-certified mechanics. There are special tools, a thread lock and a certain adhesive you will need for bellow replacement. Once all this is done and it’s time to go out on the water again, stock up on Mercury engine oil and happy boating!

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Outboard Motor

An outboard motor for boats is a development that is supposed to be a self-contained device that has an engine component, subsidiary systems and a propeller. It is designed to be mounted at the rear of the boat. The most common type of boat that you will find an outboard motor on is a smaller vessel, though there are outboard motors on sizeable sailboats to help propel them out of bays and through calm waters. As well as the ability to propel a boat, an outboard motor with the aid of outboard motor oil, is designed to help steer the vessel as well.

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How to Change Your Outboard Motor Oil and Filter, Part 1

How to Change Your Outboard Motor Oil and Filter, Part 1

With a four-stroke outboard motor, you will need to change the boat motor oil at frequent intervals. (A traditional two-stroke outboard motor doesn’t require engine oil because the oil and gasoline mix provides lubrication for the motor.) For a four-stroke outboard engine, it is generally recommended that the oil is changed once a year or every 100 hours of running time in fresh water, whichever comes sooner. For saltwater usage or if the four-stroke motor is run hard, the oil should be changed twice as often-for every 50 hours of running time and or twice a year if you are a frequent boater. A tip before you begin: have plenty of rags or absorbent pads ready to use during and after the oil change.

Pull the boat out of the water onto dry land and remove the engine cover (which usually is secured with one or two latches), setting it off to the side so that its surface does not become scratched. The top section of the outboard engine is called “the power head” and below it is the lower gearcase. Pull out the dip stick to assess the condition of the oil inside the crankcase. The drain plug is in the midsection of the outboard engine, and it will need to be loosened in order to drain the oil.

A table can be helpful to provide some leverage for the draining process. One technique is to turn the steering wheel so that the drain plug on the motor is facing inward, placing an oil pan on the table and under the drain plug to catch the existing oil. Back the drain plug out with the appropriate socket wrench, having a pan ready to catch the oil, because it will flow freely. Once all of the oil has drained, wipe up excess oil. Replace the drain plug, making sure it is secured.

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How to Change Your Outboard Motor Oil and Filter, Part 2

How to Change Your Outboard Motor Oil and Filter, Part 2

The oil filter will need to be changed every time the outboard motor oil is changed. Be sure and place a couple of rags or absorbent pads under the filter cap to collect potential oil or debris. Try to loosen the cap, using the appropriate wrench. You may have to clean the filter cap with an absorbent pad; if this doesn’t work, get a screwdriver and hammer and tap the screwdriver tip down into the cap, rotating the existing oil filter until it loosens enough to be removed.
Before you replace the old oil filter with a new one, dip your finger into the old oil and rub a bead of oil around the edge of the new oil filter’s gasket o-ring, which will ease the future removal of the new filter when it needs to be replaced with the next oil change. If you will be boating in a hot climate that stays above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, use 25W-40 motor oil; in a cooler climate, use a 10W-30. Screw the new oil filter into position. Tighten the new oil filter by hand, ensuring it is snug with an additional ¾ to 1 full turn. Once the oil filter is in place and the drain plug is secured tightly, remove the plug for the fill and add the new oil using a funnel. Check your manufacturer’s manual for specifications regarding the amount of oil to use. Finally, check your dipstick to make sure there is enough oil. For environmental purposes, please dispose of discarded outboard engine oil at an approved hazardous materials collection center. Happy boating!

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Enjoy Your Labor Day Weekend!

Enjoy Your Labor Day Weekend!

The Labor Day holiday weekend can be an excellent time to enjoy boating recreation close to home as weather forecasts permit. There are so many festivals and special events going on all over America, but a quick bit of rest and relaxation on the water may appeal to you much more. However, according to AAA spokespeople, projected Labor Day travel is down 1% from last year among Americans. This may be due to the prices of fuel and automobile oil as well as boat motor oil. Impending expenses for school clothing and supplies many families with children must absorb can also be a deciding factor when choosing to stay home for Labor Day Weekend.

If you do choose to participate in recreational boating this Labor Day weekend, please follow basic rules of safety on the waterways. Wear a lifejacket that fits properly, avoid alcohol consumption when on the boat, keep a lookout for people and objects in the water, familiarize yourself with water routes and conditions before you travel, and follow the boating “rules of the road”. Most boating fatalities occur each summer during Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day holidays. Operator inattention has been said to be the leading cause of boating accidents, followed by alcohol-related fatalities. One wise precaution is assignation of a designated driver while boating, but passengers who are intoxicated can also cause safety hazards by falling overboard, swimming too close to boat propellers, and having other mishaps. Not wearing a life jacket is also a common component of fatal boating accidents. The new lightweight, compact fishing vests on the market are much more comfortable than the bulkier, more traditional life vests, having been innovatively designed to serve multiple purposes and are added incentive for anglers to wear them at all times while on the water.

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How to Save Money on Boating

How to Save Money on Boating

 

In these tricky economic times, there are many small ways to cut corners and save a buck or two while still enjoying boating. One is to stagger your boat trip schedule, perhaps alternating weekends rather than going every weekend, trying to go during times when the most family and friends are available to make the most of the experience. Another is to have fellow boaters chip in when buying bulk motor oil, sharing the costs and saving you all money in the long run.

Small things can also make your boat more fuel-efficient. Cleaning the barnacle and plant residue from the bottom of the boat will reduce the friction and allow the boat to move faster without impediments. Remove excess weight from your boat in the form of heavy objects you may not use. Change the oil every 100 operating hours and replace the air filter, which must be clean for the best fuel efficiency. Ease on your acceleration when taking off, which greatly reduces the amount of fuel burned, and idling your engine as little as possible will waste less fuel. Try fuel additives after doing some research. While some fuel additives on the market are not worthwhile, there are a few that are beneficial for your engine’s fuel efficiency. Fuel up in the morning if you can; gas is considered more dense when there is less heat in the air, so in the morning, you can get more fuel for your dollar. And finally, consider investing in a fuel meter or fuel computer if you do not already have one. These devices give you instant feedback on your fuel burning rate, allowing you to make immediate adjustments to improve it if you can.

 

 

 

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A Good Question!

A Good Question!

In the last couple of blogs, we’ve covered some basic fuel and oil questions in regard to boating. One frequently asked question that was not previously addressed was, “I have some outboard motor oil that has been sitting on the shelf for a few years. Is it any good? Can I still use it?”

The answer is: shake it up a bit and it should be fine. It may need to be room temperature to perform at its best, so avoid extreme heat or cold.

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