Evinrude oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 25

What to Do When Your Engine Overheats: Part Three

If you have adequate water flow into the strainer and can’t find any obstruction, chances are the problem is something more serious. Unfasten the clamps and remove the hose going into the water pump. Look in the seacock to ensure proper water flow: if water isn’t flowing, it’s an indication that you have a clog somewhere in the hose; if not, you’ll have to dig deeper.

Remove the face from the water pump and inspect the impeller; the fins should be pliable and not show any signs of wear. In addition to extra fuel and Evinrude XD50 oil, you should carry a spare set of fins with you in just in case this scenario occurs. If your fins are in good shape, all signs point to a broken water pump. This is obviously the worst-case scenario, but all is not lost. To get back to shore, remove one of the other electric pumps from the system and use it to connect the raw water intake to the cooling system, effectively circumventing the intake pump.

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What to Do When Your Engine Overheats: Part Two

If you see the temperature gauge rising, immediately turn the engine off and put up your warning flag for other boaters. Allow your boat to float freely for a few minutes; this will allow the engine to cool and let any debris that may be clogging the system to break free. While the engine is cooling down, open the hatch to the engine room, close the through-hull valve and inspect the strainer. If the strainer is clean, take a look in the through-hull valve to check for water flow into the strainer.

If you have no water flow your intake is clogged, which actually means you are in luck. Simply rid the obstruction from the system, put the strainer back in and you’re good to go. Of course, you will want to monitor the temperature gauge closely for the rest of the day. When you get back to the dock, thoroughly examine the engine to look for any extensive damage; I also recommend putting in some new Evinrude XD100 oil. Tomorrow will go over what to do if your engine problem is more than a simple clog.

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Preventative Outboard Motor Care: Part Five

After you’ve inspected the fuel line, move on to the fuel primer bulb and fuel line fittings. Lastly, check the tank vent to ensure the unit is aspirating properly and there isn’t any water in the fuel. Turn off the engine and the battery, and open the engine cover to check for any leaking fuel or water.

Lubricate all of the moving parts—the carburetor valves, shift and throttle cables, etc. Assuming you have a two-stroke engine, you’re going to need to mix the fuel with outboard motor oil before you refill the tank. Always be sure to use premium certified oil, such as Evinrude XD 100 oil. Once you’re finished, throw the cover on the engine to keep it safe during storage and transportation.

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Preventative Outboard Motor Care: Part Two

Before we delve into the maintenance procedures, I have a quick caveat: Unless you are a mechanic, have a professional tune-up periodically. It’s good to have a grasp of the basics like changing your Evinrude XD100, but an expert mechanic is sure to detect some problems before you do. Their routine should include a pressure test of the lower unit, testing of the spark plugs, seals and pump, and a comprehensive examination of the rest of the components. Trust me, it’s worth the time and money to nip these systemic problems in the bud.

One of the easiest ways to maintain the integrity of your engine is by flushing it after each outing. Admittedly, sometimes I cheat and go an outing or two in-between flushes—do as I say, not as I do. Salt water is particularly corrosive, so there are no exceptions here. Tomorrow we’ll go over some basic checks you can do for the 10-15 minutes while you are flushing your engine.

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Environmentally Safe Boating: Part Five

In the previous posts covering eco-friendly boating we have focused exclusively on spilling petroleum products, but this isn’t the only threat your vessel poses to the environment. Emissions are also a serious concern, particularly with two-stroke engines, which emit a much higher level of hydrocarbons. To that end, it’s important to take the proper measures to ensure your watercraft puts off a minimal amount of exhaust.

First, be sure to use the gas to oil ratio outlined in your owner’s manual; an improper mixture can lead to higher emissions and a greater risk of engine damage. Also be sure to only use premium grade gasoline and boat motor oil, such as Evinrude XD 100. Using top-tier oil will help your engine burn cleaner and prevent carbon deposits. In the end, the number one thing to remember when is comes to being environmentally conscious on your boat is simply to use common sense. And if you do have an accident, be sure to contact the Coast Guard and proper authorities immediately.

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Environmentally Safe Boating: Part Two

The BP oil spill has rekindled public awareness of the detrimental effects humans can have on water and ecosystems. And while the oil flowing into the Gulf of Mexico is extremely hazardous, materials from your boat can be just as dangerous. Petroleum alone is perilous for wildlife, but gasoline also contains benzene and other carcinogens. As we have seen in recent weeks, cleaning water is an infinitely difficult proposition, so the best M.O. is to prevent a spill in the first place.

Outboard motor oils, such as Evinrude XD100, contain a litany of potentially dangerous elements as well, including zinc, sulfur and phosphorus. Some people assume that a relatively small amount of gasoline or oil spilling into the water isn’t a big deal, using the BP logic that the body of water is immense, so my little quantity of oil is just a drop in the bucket. In fact, just one pint of oil has the capability of covering once acre of surface area on the water.

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Boat Trailers and Launching: Part Three

When you purchase your trailer, it is important to remember that they are designed to hold an array of watercrafts. This means that some trailers simply won’t be long enough or designed to support your hull properly. Before making a purchase, check will various sources and perform your own measurements to be sure the trailer is a good fit for your hull. It is also crucial to ensure that the tongue on the trailer fits the ball of your hitch. After taking all of the above criteria into consideration, you’re ready to go out and make your purchase.

And don’t think that once you’ve bought your trailer that your work is over. Just as you have to refill your Evinrude XD50 oil and perform regular maintenance on your boat, your trailer will need ongoing attention as well. In the next two days we will cover some of the basics of trailer maintenance and upkeep, as well as how to tow and launch your boat safely.

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Boat Trailers and Launching: Part Two

Unless your boat is in the water 24/7, it will likely spend the vast majority of its time on the trailer. With this in mind, it is important to take the time to properly research the various trailer options before making a purchase. Putting in new Evinrude XD100 and flushing the engine are essential for maintaining the internal components, and a properly sized trailer is just as important for the exterior.

When considering the capacity of the trailer, be sure to include all of the gear and supplies that you plan to keep onboard. Many boat owners switch to a smaller tire on their trailer to make launching easier. If you choose to do this, be sure that the tires also have the ability to support the weight of the watercraft and supplies; the tire’s load rating will be located on the sidewall.

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Proper Gas to Outboard Motor Oil Ratio

While most vehicles now utilize four-stroke engines, the two-stroke model does have its advantages. Two-stroke engines complete the thermodynamic cycle in two movements, creating greater high specific power and making them much more efficient than their counterparts. Unlike four-stroke engines that house the gasoline and Evinrude XD 100 oil separately, two-stroke motors have traditionally required a mixture of the two.

This has been one of the main drawbacks of the motor, as it results in total-loss system where all of the oil is burned. Typically, engines use a ratio of 50 parts gasoline to one part oil, but new technology has allowed for two-stroke engines that don’t require a mixture. Although these models still result in a tot-al loss of oil, they are more ecologically friendly than their predecessors.

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Buying a Boat: Part Two

If you are purchasing your first boat, it is essential to learn some of the boating lingo and engine basics—you probably shouldn’t be purchasing a boat if you don’t even know where to pour in the Evinrude XD100. Also consult friends and acquaintances who are boat owners in order to glean some information on common problems with boats; and, of course, you can always conduct side-by-side comparisons online. One of the biggest decisions to make when investing in a new boat is whether to buy new or used.

For anyone who has ever purchased a car, the pros and cons are comparable. With a new boat, you will have a warranty, payment options and the assurance that the craft is in top condition. But you also have to swallow that huge price tag. Used boats are obviously the more economical option, but if you decide to go this route, you will want to have the craft thoroughly inspected by an expert—just as you would have a mechanic examine a used car.

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History of the Outboard Motor

In the boating community, outboard motors and the Evinrude name go hand in hand. Many probably attribute this to the fact that Evinrude is a leading manufacturer of outboard motors, and that is certainly one reason. However, few people realize that Ole Evinrude, the company’s founder, was actually the inventor of the outboard motor.

In the early 1900s, Ole began conceptualizing and building a detachable engine to affix to a watercraft. The first successful outboard motor was constructed in 1907, the year of the company’s founding. Although it has been over a century since that first motor, many of those same components—vertical crankshaft, horizontal flywheels and bevel gears—are still used in modern engines. Today, Evinrude continues to be a trailblazer in the outboard motor industry, offering a range of premium engines and products like Evinrude XD 100.

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Outboard Motor Maintenance: Part Two

Yesterday we touched on the importance of flushing your outboard motor after each outing, and today we will overview the process. Begin by placing your “rabbit ears”—two rubber seals with a metal clamp—on the lower unit and attaching a standard garden hose. Turn on the engine and allow the water to pump through the system for 10-15 minutes. While the engine is being flushed, we can take care of some other maintenance.

Check the water pump to ensure an adequate flow of water; the water coming out of the system should be warm, not hot. If the flow is weak, insert a wire into the flow tube to loosen any debris. Once the engine is flushed, disconnect the fuel line to burn all of the excess gasoline and Evinrude XD100 in the carburetor. Tomorrow we continue discussing outboard motor fuel maintenance procedures.

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