Fishing Season is Underway

The start of fishing season is one of my favorite times of year; not only do I get to spend my weekends out on the lake, but it also is when I take the cover off my Bayliner and prepare for boating season. A couple of weeks before the fishing season begins, I take my boat out of storage so that I have an opportunity to go through my preseason maintenance schedule. Nothing is worse than getting to the middle of the lake only to find out that your Evinrude xd 100 oil has run out and there is a crack in the fuel line.

Since all of my maintenance was done ahead of time, I was out on the lake at six in the morning the day the season started. The early bird gets the worm scenario didn’t pan out for my son and me, as we didn’t catch anything all day. This trend continued last week, so I’ve been looking into some new spots for us to test out weekend.

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TC-W3 Certification

Virtually all marine engines are two-stroke, which necessitates a particular type of motor oil. In a two-stroke engine, the fuel and oil are mixed so that the system is lubricated as it is supplied with gas. There are myriad reasons why two-strokes are superior for use on the water, but they also have their drawbacks. Because the oil is mixed with the fuel, two-stroke engines tend to emit an excess of burnt oil.

For manufacturers, the goal is to produce oil that can be used in a smaller proportion to the amount of fuel, such as Evinrude xd100. This will help eliminate much of the emissions that are created by excess oil in the system. Of course, this reduction in the oil to fuel ration can’t come at the expense of lubrication and performance. In order to develop criteria so that owners can recognize premium oils that meet all of this criteria, the NMMA developed TC-W3 certification, which we will be examining the rest of the week.

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Offseason Snowmobile Care: Part Five

In the final installment of our series on storing your sled, we’ll look at some final measures to take before relegating your vehicle to a safe corner for its summer hibernation. Some models will have a secondary clutch, and if this is the case, you will need to disassemble it and apply grease to the sheave bushing. Lastly, every metal surface, nut and bolt should be coated with a preserving oil to prevent rusting be sure to keep the oil away from plastic and rubber components.

When determining a location to store the snowmobile, look for a dry place that is free of moisture. Place a cover over the body of the sled and put blocks underneath the front bumper and the rear frame, which will keep the track and skis off the floor. Refrain from starting the engine until the next season, as this will extricate the oil from the system. Before you startup you snowmobile next season, be sure that you double-check your Evinrude XD 100 and other essential fluid levels.

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Offseason Snowmobile Care: Part Two

Once the outside of the sled has been taken care of, it’s time to move to the more pressing concern: the engine. Begin by firing up your snowmobile and pulling the oil pump cable; doing this will enable a rich mixture of Evinrude XD100 oil to flow throughout the engine. The piston pin, bearings and some other engine components typically see little oil, and opening the oil pump ensures that they are properly lubricated before storage.

After you have ran the engine for 10 to 15 minutes, top off your fuel and add a fuel conditioner according to the specifications. It is important to top off fuel during the offseason to ensure there is no air in the tank. When the tank has air in it, condensation can form, which can wreak havoc on your machine. Now that we have dealt with the fuel and oil, tomorrow we will progress to the carburetor and drive belt.

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How to Change Boat Motor Oil: Part Five

Now that the old oil has been exorcized from the engine and a new oil filter is in place, the only thing left to do is pour in the fresh oil. Each manufacturer will have their own specifications and recommendations for what type of oil to use in your craft, and it is a good idea to consult your owner’s manual before making a purchase. However, it is usually a safe bet to go with a premium product like Evinrude XD 100 oil.

Even if the filler opening is easily accessible, I recommend using a funnel and, if necessary, a hose to minimize spills and keep the process clean. It may seem like a lengthy process, but the time you put into changing your oil will be well worth it. Maintaining clean oil in your system will not only protect your boat and increase its longevity, but you will also notice a palpable improvement in its performance on the water.

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How to Change Boat Motor Oil: Part Two

Yesterday we went over one of the most common ways to change your boat oil—through the drain plug. However, many engines don’t come equipped with a drain plug or if they do, it is often remote and virtually impossible to reach even after attaching a hose. In these scenarios, it is necessary to purchase a pump to suck the used oil out through the dipstick tube. Before you go purchase a pump, it is important to inspect your dipstick tube to see if it is threaded or not.

If your dipstick tube is threaded, you can simply screw on a pump and the oil will be eradicated after a few pulls. On the other hand, if your tube is not threaded, you will have to insert a pick-up tube into the dipstick tube to remove the Evinrude XD100 oil. When using a pick-up tube, be sure that tube reaches the bottom of the oil pan and that you attach a capped piece of PVC to sheath the pick-up tube.

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Preseason Boat Maintenance: Part Four

For most of us, many of the components of the boat motor and inner workings of the craft are arcane and obscure. Even so, there are a few critical parts that every boater should check before the season, and if there is something that you are unsure of, be sure to take your craft to a qualified professional. Of course, the first aspect of the motor to inspect is the fuel line; make sure that the line is intact and that there are no signs of wear. Also check the fuel primer bulb and look for any loose fittings or leaks.

After you’ve inspected the fuel line, move to the tank and check for corrosion, rust and any leakage. Once the fuel tank and line are cleared, make sure that the battery holds a charge and has the proper fuel levels. Finally, change your Evinrude XD 100 and top off the other essential fluids, such as coolant.

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Preseason Boat Maintenance: Part Two

If you’ve had a boat for several years, making a checklist of your maintenance routine may seem superfluous. You are probably saying to yourself, “How could I forget to top off my Evinrude xd100 oil!?” The truth is that all of us, no matter how qualified, will inevitably overlook minute details every now and again. A recent book by Atul Gawande, ‘The Checklist Manifesto’, expounds the merits of checklists, using doctors as a primary example.

For those well versed in the nuances of boat maintenance, it is probably safe to generate your own checklist to go through. However, there are several websites where you can find convenient comprehensive lists that can be printed off. Another option is to compile the tips and advice from this blog to create your own custom list.

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Making a Outboard Motor Oil Switch

Up until last boating season, I had been using the same brand of oil in my boat for over 20 years. As the saying goes, “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” As it turns out, something was broken. When I took my craft in after experiencing some grinding in the motor, I was told that my oil was doing an insufficient job of providing lubrication. Apparently, the oil that I had grown so fond of was now considered the “cheap” version and not intended for use in high-mileage boats.

The owner of the shop suggested that I switch to Evinrude XD 100. It is the highest quality oil that Evinrude produces and is one of the most trusted products on the market. All of the oil’s specifications exceed the minimum standards, which is especially important with the astronomical number of miles I’ve put on my boat.

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ATV Troubleshooting: The Clutch

There is a litany of things that could go wrong with your ATV, but one of the most annoying and difficult to diagnose problems is a sticky clutch. If your clutch isn’t disengaging properly, it is probably one of three things. Obviously, the clutch could be broken, and you should inspect it thoroughly for any blatant damage. Once you ensure there is no serious defect, look to see if the cable needs oiling or if there are any spots that are worn down on the clutch basket.

Another problem that people often encounter with their clutch is that it grabs when shifting out of idle. In this instance, the first thing to do is check the adjustment and look for warped clutch plates. If these look okay, it is likely that your mixture of Evinrude XD100 oil and transmission fluid is too heavy. The final major hiccup with the clutch system is slipping. Usually the same culprits that make the clutch grab are responsible here as well, although you should be sure to check the clutch springs too.

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An Oil Education

I have to admit; the first time that I went to purchase outboard motor oil, I was overwhelmed by the wealth of options that were available. Not only were there different brand names, but there were also a myriad of options within each brand. After staring blankly at the crowded shelf, I decided to seek some assistance. I told one of the staff at the store what type of boat I had and he was able to be of some assistance.

Now that I have a more thorough understanding of engines, I know what to look for in oil and other products. Economical oils were my M.O. back in those early days, but now that I have invested in a top-tier watercraft, I want to ensure its longevity. I look for oils that have a high viscosity and flash point, such as Evinrude XD 100.

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Jetting Your Carburetor: Part Two

Yesterday we introduced the purpose of jetting a carb and quickly overviewed the three main circuits. Depending on whether you have a four or two-stroke engine, the carburetor adjusts the ratio of fuel to air or of fuel and Evinrude XD100 oil and air, respectively. Today we will be examining the main jet more closely and seeing the impact that it has on your vehicle.

When the throttle is more than three-quarters of the way open, the main jet comes into play. At this point, the needle is high enough that the main jet is now controlling the flow of fuel. The main jet is categorized by a number that indicates the size of its hole; the bigger the number, the larger the hole. A higher number will allow more fuel to get through the system, resulting in a richer fuel to oil ratio.

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