Troubleshooting Evinrude 9.9 Outboard

A popular marine engine for small boats is the Evinrude 9.9 hp outboard. Personally, I own a two-stroke version that operates like a dream. On occasion there may be a few hiccups, as there are with any engine, which requires some troubleshooting.

When troubleshooting, the four main areas to check are: gas tank, fuel line, carburetor, and fuel pump. You want to make sure that each of those areas is clean and without cracks. Although it is not one of the four areas, I pointed out, it can’t hurt to check the oil and replace dirty oil with Evinrude 2 cycle oil XD100, if need be.

Did you like this? Share it:

The Importance of Labeling

Purchasing in bulk is a good way to save money. Without proper labeling, however, accidents can occur. This is especially true when chemicals or oil is ordered in bulk.

That is why all of my bulk oil is labeled clearly. In large letters I write out what the substance is and the date it was stored. I’ve also put up caution signs on and inside of the shed where I store the bulk oil containers. This is to ensure that anyone in the area knows to stay away with flames.

Did you like this? Share it:

Cleaning Up Oil Spills

Oil spills are par for the course when working on the engine of a boat, car, or truck. It is possible to get rid of these spills, even when the spill is on a concrete floor. Start by laying down a layer of kitty litter or sawdust over the spill. The kitty litter or sawdust will soak up any excess oil still on the floor.

Once the liquid has been soaked up, sweep the kitty litter or sawdust into a dustpan and dispose of properly. With soap dish and a nylon bristle brush, rub the stained area to loosen up the oil. Finally set a pressure washer on a narrow, focused stream of water to break up the oil even further. These few steps should get the oil stains out of a concrete floor, even if you have a large spill involving bulk motor oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Benefits of Painting Bottom of Aluminum Boat

Aluminum that is exposed to air will oxidize, thus creating a protective coating. This is why few aluminum boats have visible paint. Below the surface is a different story.

Aluminum boats are painted below the water line for several reasons. First off, the paint slows down fouling and chemical corrosion. Second, for avid fishermen, a camouflage paint design gets rid of the tell-tale sign of aluminum which would otherwise dissuade prey. While out purchasing paint, don’t forget to pick up boat motor oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Repairing Boat Carpet

At first, I was skeptical about adding carpeting to our family boat. After all, boats get wet and mold breeds in damp conditions; however, upon further research I did find plenty of stylish marine carpeting to choose from. The flooring addition definitely gave the boat a more elegant look.

Every now and then, the carpeting gets damaged from water or from everyday wear and tear. Rather than ripping out all of the carpet and starting anew, I use leftover carpeting from the original installation for repairs. I simply use a knife to remove the damaged section, and then fill the spot with new carpet – making sure to match the direction of the weave. While I’m working on repairs I usually send the boys out to run some errands, like picking up the best outboard motor oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Repairing Damaged Boat Floor

As much as I love being out on the water, I don’t like it when the water comes into my boat. More often then not, water in the boat is caused by a damaged floor. Fortunately, a few simple steps are all that’s needed to restore a boat floor.

Start by sanding the damaged area with a 60 grit sandpaper, and then increase to 80 grit. Apply wood filler liberally to the sanded area. Once the filler has dried, sand the area until it is flush with the rest of the floor. Apply waterproof sealer and then varnish to finish the job. When you’re out purchasing floor repair supplies, take a moment to stock up on amalie oil.

Did you like this? Share it:

Common Question Answered

I am often asked, ‘is 2 cycle oil interchangeable with 4 cycle oil?’ The answer is a resounding NO! Two cycle and 4 cycle oils have different formulas for use in two distinctly different ways.

If you were to put 4 cycle oil in a 2 cycle engine deposits will build up. Deposits can gunk up and severely curtail the life of a two cycle engine. Likewise, 2 cycle oil is too thin to provide effective lubrication to 4 cycle engines.

Did you like this? Share it:

Boat Safety

When my boys were old enough to get their boating license, I made them jump through all sorts of hoops before I would give my consent. First, they had to take a . I quizzed them on what they learned, especially Coast Guard recommended safety precautions.

I then had them promise me that life vests would be worn at all times. They assured me and went one step further by showing me where and how they looked up weather reports before each outing. The final step was to make sure they knew all about boat maintenance, including how to check and replace Yamalube 2W oil. Both of them met my expectations and were allowed to apply for their boating licenses.

Did you like this? Share it:

Mixing Fuel for Mercury Outboard

Newer Mercury two stroke motors have oil injection systems that keep the ratio of gasoline and oil correct. Older two stroke motors from Mercury do not have those systems, thus, the oil and fuel need to be mixed by hand. This is a task that is not too difficult.

Start by gathering an empty, clean gasoline container and two cycle outboard oil. Next, look at how much gasoline you pumped into the container. For each gallon of gasoline in the container add three ounces of motor oil. Close the container and shake the contents vigorously before adding the gasoline and oil mixture into the fuel tank.

Did you like this? Share it:

Selecting Two Cycle Oil

Two stroke engines, in contrast to four stroke engines, do not have a crankcase. Instead, a two stroke engine needs the proper mixture of oil and gas to function. The two stroke oil is crucial to keeping the engine lubricated so it doesn’t lock up.

It is important when conducting maintenance on a two stroke engine that the correct oil and oil ratio is used. Consult with the owner’s manual to figure out which two cycle oil the engine needs. If you have lost the owners’ manual, then search online or contact an oil wholesaler for their recommendation. You don’t want to ruin your engine with wrong or insufficient oil!

Did you like this? Share it:

Testing Synthetic Oil

Synthetic oil is made from synthesized and modified petroleum compounds as opposed to whole crude oil. In extreme temperatures, synthetic oil often works better than traditional oils. To figure out which synthetic oil outboard motor oil is right for your vehicle; spend some time testing different brands. The first step, of course, is to simply check the labels to see what additives are in the oil.

Next, you will want to test the viscosity of the oil by pouring the oil through a funnel into a canister. You’ll want to observe the thickness and flow of the oil. If the synthetic oil meets all of your standards, then you know that you have a winning brand on your hands!

Did you like this? Share it:

Winterizing a Boat Part II

Today we continue with information on how to winterize a boat. Winterizing the motor is a crucial step. First, fill the tank with fuel stabilizer and then with marine fuel. Run the motor long enough for the treatment to get into the fuel lines and engine area. The purpose is to keep fuel remnants from ruining the tank.

Next, flush out the cooling systems with a flushing kit. Add in some anti-freeze afterward to prevent ice from damaging the line. Spray the engine with fogging oil that will stick to the cylinders. Also take the opportunity to replace the outboard oil and filters. Give the prop and the rest of the boat one last look over before covering the boat.

Did you like this? Share it: