Motor stored for 4 years

[grooveman]

I just purchased a boat with a 70's model merc 65hp, 4cyl, 2 cycle outboard. The boat/motor has been stored since 99. The owner said that before storage it was run out of gas, oil fogged and stabilizer was put in the gas. At the same time it had a new starter, rotor, cap, wires, and plugs installed and the lower unit was rebuilt. I was advised to at least replace the impeller before starting it. Is there any thing else I should do before trying to crank it?

 

[greasemonkeyozi]

Re: Motor stored for 4 years

Yes. Change out the fuel.Quicksilver with fresh 87 octain is the best 2 cycle fuel to run in a merc, the manual will tell you this. Fuel looses its octain in less than 1 year, and god knows whats growing in your fuel tank.<br /> If the motor was sitting up for that long, make sure no dirt dobbers or anything has made itself a home in your fuel system, especially the carborators.<br /> If the motor gives you any problems, and seems like a fuel problem, look for any dryrot on hoses, dryrot causing fuel leaks, and make sure the fuel pump is pumping good. Sometimes the fuel diaphram in the fuel pump can dryrot.<br /> 2 cycle fuel will turn into a gummy tar like stuff in a period of time and will clog up all kinds of stuff. If fuel was left in your carbs, it wouldnt hurt to take them off and clean the insides out real good.<br /> Go ahead and change out the fluid in your lower unit, or prop area. There will be a drain and fill plug there. Use regular 80/90 wt gear oil.<br /> Good luck with your boat, and remember, be patient with it.

 

[ehenry]

Re: Motor stored for 4 years

thunderfed, what greasemonkeyozi said is right on until he got to the grease for you lower unit. Don't use reagular 80/90 weight grease. Use Outboard lower unit lube. Its made espeacially for the high pressures that an outboard produces.

 

[greasemonkeyozi]

Re: Motor stored for 4 years

sorry about that, but majority of lower units (can) use 80/90 wt. If you ask my opinion, I think its all the same, its just a dealership wants to make money off of their gear oil, ya know.<br /> I have a 1975 70 hp merc and the old man I had bought it from claims that he's always ran 80/90 wt ever since he had it new. Its still running like a champ, I just change it out once a year...<br /> Notice that the lower unit operates kind of like a diff. on a truck... I guess Im just a shade tree mechanic

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Motor stored for 4 years

You can use 80/90. But for an extra few bucks and less than 2 pints of oil, the L/U stuff is well worth it.