Outboard Motor Anatomy: Part Three

Now that we have gone over the two cycle oil and gasoline specifications, as well as the benefits of the outboard motor, it is time to determine which model is right for you. The motor that you choose will be largely dependent on the hull of the craft that you plan to attach it to. Every boat built in the US has a “Guard Rating Plate”; this shows the maximum horsepower for the motor, but you should also be sure never to go below 75 percent of this number.

The other main spec to take into consideration is the shaft length. On outboard motors, this measurement is customized to fit 15, 20 or 25-inch transoms (the stern of the watercraft). When the shaft length is too long, there will be drag, while if the shaft is too short, it could lead to ventilation or potentially the overheating of the engine.

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Two-Stroke Engine Basics: Part Three

yamalubeYesterday we overviewed the main process that takes place in the cycle of a two-stroke engine. Now we are going to breakdown this process a little further to better understand what is occurring in this process. When the piston is working in its cycle, the crankshaft will give the piston momentum so that it can return to the spark plug for the compression stroke. During this process the piston compresses the mixture of Yamalube oil, fuel and air to create a vacuum, which in turn opens the reed valve and draws in more of this mixture from the carburetor.

Once the cycle is completed, the piston will fire again and repeat the process. The fact that there are two strokes—the compression and the combustion—is how the engine gets its name. Because the piston accomplishes so many tasks, the two-stroke engine so lightweight and versatile. Tomorrow we will review some of the major pros and cons of the two-stroke engine.

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Yamalube Oil Overview

YAMALUBE_logo_MC

As you can probably ascertain from its name, Yamalube oil is a product of the Yamaha Company. Aside from their extensive line of motor vehicles, Yamaha’s selection of Yamalube products is one of their most lucrative endeavors. In order to reach the widest market possible, there are several varieties of Yamalube available that are specifically catered to certain vehicles.

The full synthetic blend is for high-performance use, such as racing and low-temperature snowmobiling. Semi-synthetic Yamalube oil, such as 10W-50 and 0W-30, is created from a proprietary blend of synthetic and mineral oils. Their mineral oil is produced from the highest quality base stocks and can be used in a wide range of small motor vehicles.

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Routine Boat Maintenance

COOLANTAs all boat owners will tell you, keeping your watercraft in optimal condition is vital to maintaining performance and resale value. Many people find it necessary to bring their boat to a mechanic every time it needs a tune up, but most of the basic adjustments can be made in just a few minutes. Learning a few of the fundamentals of basic boat maintenance will save you time and money in the long run.

One of the most important, and basic, aspects of boat maintenance is ensuring proper fluid levels; this means keeping a close eye on your transmission fluid, outboard motor oil and, of course, gasoline. Another crucial element to boat maintenance is keeping your engine clean. Flushing the engine periodically will prevent buildup and keep your boat running smoothly.

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Maintaining your outboard motor.

outboard-motor-2Most outboard motors will run fine for years with little or no attention. If you notice that your outboard motor is running at a slow speed or idle problem then you should consider getting a major tune which includes:

Removing cylinder heads to de-carbon pistons and heads
Remove and rebuild carburetors
Replace plugs
Replace thermostat(s) and water pump
Re-torque cover bolts, etc.
Check and/or reset all adjustments
Change and/or re-lube as needed

Make sure that you are using a good boat motor oil like the Yamaha 2s oil which helps to protect the life of the motor.

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Inspect Before you Buy at a Boat Auction

inspect

When you go to a boat auction it is a good idea to do a boat inspection to make sure that you know what you are bidding on. Here is a list of things to look for:

Quick walk-around – walk around the boat and check the hull, pay particular attention to the stem, chines and strakes. If there has been a collision you will see cracks there.

Shake the I/O – if you shake the I/O and it has alot of play then it might need gimbal bearings. Also check around the seals and gaskets for leaks.

Check the dipstick – check to see if the dipstick smells burned or looks milky. I could be the wrong viscosity or was never changed.

Check the wiring – bare wire and terminators that are twisted together or sealed with electrical tape are bad.

Test the fuel and oil – The gasoline sold today is 10% ethanol. This attrackts moisture which separates in the fuel tank. Water in the engine or boat motor oil is bad news. This can lead to a cracked block.

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Keeping Your ATV Its Cleanest

atvAny ATV enthusiast knows just how much abuse an ATV can take. Whether you take them through marshy land or over boulder fields, an ATV is often revved and ridden over tough terrain. In addition to receiving the inevitable scratches and dents that come with that rough terrain, your ATV is also likely to sustain more superficial damage such as excessive mud and dirt. But if you want to keep your ATV shiny after a full day of riding, it’s not that difficult.

Even with the toughest mud and weeks of caked on grime, there are a number of ATV cleaning and detailing products that are specially designed to get that kind of job done. Sometimes soap and water just aren’t going to cut it, unless you want to trudge through several washings. And when the vehicle is free of all evidence of mud puddle splashes, you can finish it off with any of number of detailing products. These will bring your ATV to a high shine and help make it look brand new again. Once your ATV is clean, be sure to check the Yamalube 2M and other fluid levels.

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Early Season Snowmobile Maintenance: Part Three

rush_body0223The last two days we have reviewed some of the basic checks that you should go through every time that you take your snowmobile out. Once you have ensured that the Yamalube 2W oil and other fluid levels are sufficient, and tested all of the main systems of your craft, you’re ready to hit the powder. There is one other component that you will need to check periodically, however: the chassis.

The chassis is the central steering component of the snowmobile, and routine maintenance will ensure that there isn’t excessive wear and tear imparted on the system. Two or three times during the snowmobile season-depending on how often you go out-apply a high quality grease that is designed for low temperatures. By combining the last three days of maintenance tips, you will improve the performance and longevity of your vehicle.

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Early Season Snowmobile Maintenance: Part One

snowmobile-accident

While I was taking out my snowmobile over the weekend, I noticed that it wasn’t running as well as it should. That’s when I decided that it was probably time to give my machine an early season tuning. It is always important to do basic checks before every ride and more thorough maintenance on a regular basis. Since I was short of time on Saturday, I decided to just do a basic check and make sure that the Yamalube oil and other fluid levels were sufficient.

While most riders remember to check the two basics-fuel and oil-some of the other main fluids are oft overlooked. It is also important to ensure that the engine coolant and brake fluid are properly filled. To check the brake fluid, look in the sight glass in the master cylinder. The anti-freeze will be in the reservoir tank, and both only take a few seconds to check. Tomorrow we will go into more in-depth maintenance and diagnostics.

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Cleaning Your ATV

atv

Making a clean ATV out of a muddy one takes more then 2 steps. It takes more then hosing it off and taking it for a drive. That is, if you care about your bike. Because if you clean your ATV properly you’re expanding its lifespan.

Before hosing off the ATV, close off the exhaust and air box. Either close off the exhaust with some duct tape or put a cloth into the back of the exhaust. Or use a silencer plug (Pro Grip Silencer Plug or MSR Racing Silencer Plug) and never hassle with cloths or tape again; this to prevent water from filtering through to the cylinder. Next, close of you air box as well, again using a large cloth to prevent water from filtering through to the carburetor.

BEFORE hosing off the bike, make sure your engine is cooled off. DO NOT & NEVER cool off your engine by spraying water on it! Because, if you do so, you’re increasing the chance you’ll pull your engine. Don’t force metal to contract faster then it naturally does when it naturally cools off. The same counts next time you want to take your ATV for a ride. Don’t take off immediately after you’ve started the engine. Give it some time to warm up first… Grant the metal some slack.

If you want to extend the life of your ATV, these are the most crucial points.
Just give your engine the time to cool off & warm up!

To best way to hose off the ATV is by making use of a high-pressure cleaner, preferably connected to a warm water tap. Make sure, if you buy a high-pressure cleaner, it has a minimal pressure of 60BAR. More pressure isn’t actually necessary, since the chance you’ll find yourself hosing off decals and graphics increases. If you do have more pressure then 60BAR, cleaning will go faster, but watch out for your decals and exposed holes. Of course you can also finish the job using a simple garden hose or bucket filled with water and soap. No problem!

There are two ways you can soap in your ATV.
– using a high compression cleaner that has a function to soap in,
– using ATV wash products, which is affective.

Either way, let the soap set for 5 minutes before you wash off.

TIP: Afterwards, check your the level of your Yamalube 2M and start your engine; let it run for a minute or two to ensure your engine will definitely start up next time you take it out.

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How to Winterize Your Boat

snowsceneEven the if you think that your baby is indestructible, all boats need primo care. With winter upon us, it is time to start winterizing your boat and reading up on the precautions you need to take to ensure a long life for your craft. Below is a step-by-step guide to winterizing your boat, but before you begin, drain the gear case and check for excessive moisture in the motor.

Then, flush engine with fresh water using flush muffs or similar device attached to the raw water pickup. Let all water drain from the engine. Wash engine down with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Disconnect fuel hose and run engine until it stops. It is important to follow a step-by-step process to make sure that all fuel is drained from the carburetor to prevent build-up of deposits from evaporated fuel. Use fogging oil in the cylinders to lubricate the cylinder walls and pistons. Apply water resistant grease to propeller shaft and threads. Change the Yamalube 2W oil in the lower unit. Lastly, lightly lubricate the exterior of the engine or polish with a good wax.

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Want an ATV?

atvIt has been about 30 years since the first ATV was introduced to the market, and since then they have become more and more popular every year. Just what is the appeal of these three and four wheel machines, could it be just the excitement that riding them creates? Nowadays you will find entire families enjoying the excitement and riding as a family activity. But there is always down sides to things, and riding ATVs is no different. Many accidents happen each year to people riding ATVs, keeping a few things in mind and following some simple safety procedures could keep you in the safe zone at all times.

One of the first rules that you will want to follow is as a new rider, always head out to the trails with an experienced rider, in fact even an experienced rider should always have a partner with them. If at all possible before you buy your own ATV rent one or use a friends to see if this is something that you are really going to like. Once you determine that you enjoy the hobby, then start recording what type of riding you like to do and what trails you will be frequenting the most.

It is usually recommended that beginners not go off and buy a new ATV, rather become familiar with the sport first, try out some different style machines such as utility ATV’s or Sport ATV’s and determine what feels most comfortable to you. After you get your first machine it is always advisable to take a safety course. You can find ATV safety courses that will meet once a week for a couple of hours that is spread out three or four weeks. Not only will they review basic safety precautions, but you will also learn fundamental maintenance for your vehicle, like how to change the Yamalube 2S oil. This is not mandatory, but I believe is well worth your time and money.

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