Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

[hostage]

I tend to read a lot online, since I don't want to be "one of those guys". Though all these guides and boaters seem to have strict guidelines on what they do. When I speak to a mechanic or part store, they seem to say you don't need to do that or it is a waste of money type of attitude.

I was reading you should change your impeller every 3 years, though both my mechanic and a store said it should be fine unless I do something stupid. My engine temp is good.

I asked my mechanic about fogging and he said it is unneeded if I use it every year, he said if I don't plan on using it next season or something then it is a good idea to do it.

I tend to be a preventive maintenance guy, but sometimes it is hard to tell what I should and shouldn't do.

 

[JB]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

The Marine Tech Code requires them to give you some nonsense or even bad advice to keep you intimidated.

Have you ever had an impeller fail at the start of a big weekend when you are 10 miles from the ramp? They should last three to five years, but they might fail at 1.5 years. I replace them annually. I recommend that you do the same.

I don't know exactly what risks are involved in not fogging your outboard. I never did, even when I lived in MN. I did always drain the fuel system. I never had an outboard resist that first outing.

Of course, here in Texas the season is 12 months long so I don't worry about it.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

Sounds like your mech wants to sell you a rebuild instead of an impeller and a can of fogging oil.

Ya know, he might be right, but for maintenance items that cost only a few bux, why take the chance?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

The Marine Tech Code requires them to give you some nonsense or even bad advice to keep you intimidated.

Have you ever had an impeller fail at the start of a big weekend when you are 10 miles from the ramp? They should last three to five years, but they might fail at 1.5 years. I replace them annually. I recommend that you do the same.

Ayuh,.... That's Funny JB... I'm not a Marine Tech, I'm just a Mechanic, but I pay 1 on the internet...


I also agree that generally speakin',.. Boaters are pretty anal with some of this stuff,...

I change impellers every year or 2, tops...
I don't Fog,.. It'll be runnin' again in a few months...
I Drain, no antifreeze...
I change the sparkplugs when they Need it, but look at 'em annually...
I change the oils in the fall...
In the Spring, I do a stem to stern look over, 'n fix what needs fixin', then go Boatin'....

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

my mechanic and a store said it should be fine unless I do something stupid.

Like,,, not changing the impeller...

I agree with JB, change it yearly (outside 2 years), it's cheap insurance. Before I knew better I ran into problems from not changing the impeller. It's much easier (and cheaper) changing the impeller, opposed to repairing the damage caused by a failed impeller.

I can't comment on fogging as I have never done it. Same as JB, I use my boats all year.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

Up here in the tundra or toy cars and other engine driven stuff can sit unused for six months or more and they run just fine in the spring. Unless the engine in that appliance has sucked in some water, fogging really isn't necessary. Do I do it? Yes -- because it takes so little time and is just one more little thing than can in the off-chance of turning into a big thing. Two strokes consume large quantities of oil so the cylinders are really protected quite well the minute they are shut off.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

i recommend impeller every 2 years, as insurance. never had to fog, i do now change lower unit oil, every fall, before 1st freeze.

when i was growing up, Dad never change the oil or impeller, only spark plugs. maybe that is why that 40 year old 15 finally froze up.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

I was reading you should change your impeller every 3 years,

out of curiosity, what were you reading? myself. i read the mercruiser service manual for my rig. for mine. the s/m states that i should go look at my impeller every 100 hrs or at end of season prior to lay up. it's some work to go look at it and a most critical part of the cooling system. so i replace it after i look at it. after a years use. my alapha1 type impeller always shows 'some' wear on it. why take a chance imho. just R&R it.

as for the fogging. my oem s/m states to inject an oz. of oil into ea. combustion chamber prior to lay up. i vary from the s/m in this respect. i don't know that fogging oils were around in 1975. so i do fog it.

anything i can do to help try and be sure everything is up to snuff for next year i will try to do.

 

[CVX20SPRINT]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

Impellers are pretty cheap and relatively easy to do,so it just makes good sense to change it often.As far as fogging goes it is pretty cheap and easy to do also.Problem I see with not fogging is that if you have an oil injected motor it could be running at a 200:1 mixture(or less as some 2-strokes run on strait fuel)at ilde.So if the engine was idled before storage the fuel will have little or no oil in it and when it's shut down the fuel will evaporate leaving everything virtually dry.If there happens to be any condensation that developes in the engine from temp. change or humidity there is no protection for your cylinder walls and bearings.Fogging will leave a nice coating of oil on the whole inside of your motor so you don't have to worry about moisture.

The 2 biggest things that kill a 2-stroke right out of storage is either a lean mixture or rusted bearings.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

Like the saltwater discussion, so much depends on how (where) a motor is used as to what is recommended. An owner's manual has to be written for general use, and thus good local advice can be better than the books--same goes for general advice here, or advice coming from the perspective of a certain type of use.
As pointed out above, an "average" is not a good number if you end up on the early side of the average failure.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

The recommended durations in the manufacturer?s manual is based on the average annual usage of 100 hours. The problem with time based maintenance schedules is that it has absolutely nothing to do with the way the piece of equipment is performing at the time.

Someone mentioned checking the water pump every 100 hour. In season, I can put 100 hours on my motor in a less than 2 weeks. Do I change my water pump every other week? No. I have a water pressure gauge and change my pump based on its performance.

What about the fuel filter being changed every 50 hours? Do I really have to change my fuel filter every 5 days? No. I have a vacuum gauge attached to my fuel filters and change the filter with required. My current fuel filter has over 200 hours on it. Still within acceptable performance levels according to my motor?s manufacturer.

Then there are things that I change on a regular schedule. I change the plugs once a year but I take them out to ?read? them probably twice a month. I do the same with my lower unit oil. I change my lower unit oil every year right before the first freeze but check it for water contamination probably once a month during the season.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

dingbat do you keep your boat in the water and if so, how do you check your LU oil?

 

[coolguy147]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

i recommend impeller every 2 years, as insurance. never had to fog, i do now change lower unit oil, every fall, before 1st freeze.

when i was growing up, Dad never change the oil or impeller, only spark plugs. maybe that is why that 40 year old 15 finally froze up.

especially after last winter in florida lol

 

[OptsyEagle]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

What about tune ups. How often do you guys look at that or do you wait for a problem. I am specifically talking about older motors with points and condensers. Do you clean and re-check the point gaps regularly or wait until you encounter a problem?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

dingbat do you keep your boat in the water and if so, how do you check your LU oil?

The boat is in the slip March - May then November & December. The rest of the time on the trailer.
The slip I keep the boat in backs up to a parking lot. Tilt the motor up and I can sit on the bulkhead and reach the plug from there. Just crack the plug enough to a peek at the color.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Boating world seems backwards: mechanics/shops vs. boaters

Ask your mechanic how many times has his house burnt down.

Never?

Well why doesn't he just cancel his fire insurance.?