Hey merc guru's. I just bought a 1989 Charger DL with an 89 blackmax merc 150. My question is what should i replace to make sure it runs in top shape next season? It will be winterized fairly soon but I'd love to start by replacing some things before spring. We test rode it and it started after being winterized easily and we went for an awesome ride!
I think it is a quorum on here that the impeller (water pump blade) should always have your attention, with some recommending annual replacement. Obviously necessity of replacement is driven by several things. I personally don't follow that rule but have my reasons.
Next is clean fuel; don't keep fuel over the winter and use next spring.
A lot of folks have had improved performance with the "decarb" process.....see archives
Lower unit oil should be drained and refilled now (after last outing of the season) to insure that it contains no water. Water makes the oil cloudy/milky/yellowish (not clear honey color) gooey looking stuff. Replace seals under drain screws with new every time you take them out. Procedure for draining is also in archives.
Lube up all your moving parts with a good marine grease, linkages (under cowling), prop shaft (remove propeller to grease it), steering cable (zerk at center of tilt tube bracket), and engine pivot ( usually on port side aft of the clamp bracket on the tube where the engine pivots side to side.
Battery should be removed, contacts cleaned, (might as well clean the terminals on your wires too while you are there) and put on a trickle charger to maintain charge thru the winter.
If I forgot something, someone will chime in. Grin
I think it is a quorum on here that the impeller (water pump blade) should always have your attention, with some recommending annual replacement. Obviously necessity of replacement is driven by several things. I personally don't follow that rule but have my reasons.
Next is clean fuel; don't keep fuel over the winter and use next spring.
A lot of folks have had improved performance with the "decarb" process.....see archives
Lower unit oil should be drained and refilled now (after last outing of the season) to insure that it contains no water. Water makes the oil cloudy/milky/yellowish (not clear honey color) gooey looking stuff. Replace seals under drain screws with new every time you take them out. Procedure for draining is also in archives.
Lube up all your moving parts with a good marine grease, linkages (under cowling), prop shaft (remove propeller to grease it), steering cable (zerk at center of tilt tube bracket), and engine pivot ( usually on port side aft of the clamp bracket on the tube where the engine pivots side to side.
Battery should be removed, contacts cleaned, (might as well clean the terminals on your wires too while you are there) and put on a trickle charger to maintain charge thru the winter.
If I forgot something, someone will chime in. Grin
Good luck,
Mark
Thanks Mark, the impeller was replaced at the end of the season this year and i will admit to my noobish ways on mercs but the pee hole shoots out a stream about 3 feet from the motor! My pop's old boat had a 88 Evinrude and the piss tube just shot right down from the motor.
Another question, why does this merc's pee hole angled so it shoots so far away like that? Hopefully you understand what i mean
It makes it easy to see when you're rolling down the river (to make sure it's operating). You can really see that pisser working. Look at it as a blessing.
Bought new boat need some advice
Carolina on my mind.
Linear Mode
