boat maintenance | Outboard Motor Oil

Installing a Water Pump, Part I

For the most part, a water pump will last the lifetime of the motor itself; however, if you do hear whirring or grinding noises, it may be time to replace the water pump. Replacing a busted water pump is not too difficult for the average handy-man or woman. You will need a set of wrenches, a socket wrench set, new water pump, a water pump gasket, gasket sealer, and possibly new hose clamps. While you’re gathering supplies, you may also want to pick up some Yamalube 2-M oil.

Begin by locating the petcock valves on either side of the engine block. Open up a valve or two to drain out the water. Locate and loosen the bolts on the belt pulleys and then remove the belt. The hose clamps should also be visible; remove any water that may still be lingering in the hose connecting to the damaged water pump.

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Shrink Wrapping Your Boat

Shrink wrapping your boat helps protect it during the cold winter months. All you need is a boat shrink wrap kit, a heat gun, and a ladder (depending on the size of your boat). Most of these items can be ordered online or purchased at a boating supplies store.

Take care of the engine, mercury oil, and other necessities on the boat and position the vehicle where you want it to stay for the season. Pad sharp corners that could potentially puncture the shrink wrap. Put up support poles for the shrink wrap to adhere to, and then unroll the shrink wrap over the boat. Use the heat gun to tighten and seal the shrink wrap. Check your work for any holes, patch up those holes you find, and finally install self adhesive vents to keep mold from forming under the wrap.

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Checking for Compression

Air, fuel, compression, and spark are the four main elements that keep a two-stroke engine running. If any one of the four elements is missing or damaged, then the engine will not go. A loss of compression can be caused by several reasons, but the most likely culprit is a faulty seal between cylinder, piston or piston rings. Fortunately, this is an easy problem to spot and fix.

Start by removing all of the spark plugs from the motor and ground those spark plugs against the engine case. Take a compression tester and screw it into the spark plug hole of the first cylinder to be tested. Twist the throttle and kick the motor over a few times. Check the tester’s gauge; if the gauge reads at least 100-125 then you’re good to go, at least on that particular cylinder. While you’re poking around the insides of your motor, consider replacing your Mercury 2 cycle oil.

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Extend the Life of Your Boat with Regular Maintenance: Part 3

Part of keeping a well-maintained boat is more than just following a checklist of duties to carry out. It’s more of a state of mind or lifestyle you develop when you’re in constant care mode for your boat. This means that every time you get on your boat, you perform a quick scan for anything that seems out of place or anything that may need a quick fix. It is about knowing when all aspects of your boat are in need of a fix up or are on the verge of needing maintenance.

Boat motor maintenance is another huge aspect of regular boat care and inspection. It’s important that you flush your boat engine after every outing and also inspect everything from your fuel tanks to clamps on your fuel line as well as the possibility or rust or corrosion on the exterior of the motor. And don’t forget to check out the boat’s cooling system.

Above all, be sure to ensure proper boat maintenance with Yamalube 2m oil!

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Extend the Life of Your Boat with Regular Maintenance: Part 1

Who would have thought that one of the most important ingredients to maintaining your boat is also one of the simplest? Keeping your boat clean by washing it regularly is a key aspect of boat maintenance. Not only will a clean and well-organized boat help you maintain a more pleasing environment for you and your out-to-sea guests, but a well-maintained boat helps to fight off the long-term effects of environmental wear and tear. For example, a routine waxing of you boat will help to protect it from these elements.

When it comes to keep tracking of the bulk list of small and detailed, yet important, tasks to keep your boat well maintained, creating a master checklist well help you to keep your responsibilities organized. This list should include all of the key areas from general boat maintenance and inspection through the winterization of your boat.

Remember to always supply your boat with Evinrude xd 100 oil to keep it running smoothly!

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Tips for Trailering Part 1

This week we’ll focus on a great way to give yourself a great deal of freedom and enhance your boating experience. With its increasing popularity we’re seeing more and more trailered boats on the nation’s roadways. Trailering is an excellent way to explore and discover new waterways in your area. Without the confinement inherent at a marina you’re free to move your boat wherever you want for a whole new set of boating experiences.

Because of its increasing popularity we’re going to take some time this week to give you some tips on the best way you can trailer your boat. We’ll talk about how to get the most out of your experience and take your boating experience to the next level with increased mobility and versatility. And if you have a 2-cycle Evinrude engine, check out Evinrude XD50 oil for an even better boating experience.

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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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Boat Engine Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Part One

Whether you take your boat out everyday or just on the occasional three-day weekend, all watercrafts require a substantial commitment of time and money. Since any boat is going to be a sizeable investment, it makes sense to put in the effort to keep your boat in peak condition. Of course, you will want to change the outboard motor oil regularly and keep the hull clean, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. Over the next several days, we will be going over a variety of engine maintenance procedures to help your ensure that your boat stays afloat and you make the most of your time on the open water.

Obviously, boats are constantly exposed to water, and this is one of the main culprits when it comes to engine damage. The risks associated with water are two-fold. First, water is a solvent, which means that it will dissolve many materials and facilitates corrosion. Water also naturally harbors growth, which is a serious concern for the wood, plastic and metal that is constantly in contact with the water. Now that we know what the enemy is, tomorrow we will formulate the plan of attack.

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How to Change Boat Motor Oil: Part Three

Now that we have familiarized ourselves with the two methods for extricating used oil, it’s time to go through the step-by-step process of actually changing your Yamaha 2w oil. You’ll want to start the engine before removing the oil, which serves dual purposes. Obviously this will heat the oil, making it easier to suck through the pump that you are using. Another reason for heating the engine is agitate the sediments that are dormant in the bottom of the oil pan, ensuring they will be sucked up through the pump.

When removing the oil, you will need a closeable receptacle to collect the fluid in. Look for a container that has a small opening for the hose and a sufficient volume—a milk jug is ideal. Remember, you can’t simply through away your used oil. It is important to take it to the marina or a service station that can recycle or dispose of the oil properly.

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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 One

Although it will be several weeks or months—depending on where you live—until boat season is in full swing, it is never to early to start tuning up your craft and preparing for some fun on the water. Personally, I like to go through my checklists and make any necessary repairs well before I take out my boat. This is ensures that I don’t lose valuable time on the water to mundane maintenance.

Over the next few days, we’ll review all of the key components and systems you should insect prior using your boat—from changing the outboard motor oil to inspecting the motor for damage. One of the most important aspects to boat care, and one which is often overlooked, is the necessity of keeping your boat clean. Maintaining a clean craft and applying a good coat of wax will help minimize the damage that is inflicted during normal use.

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