Newbie--Steering and Black Sludge issues--Help Please

[jp2570]

I know about the torque steer issue. However, I have a Vision 160 bass boat with a Mariner 115 L6 that wanders, at every speed. It is impossible to keep it straight. The steering is tight and the boat will move right, then left even at idle speed. I have not had the boat at any high speed. I can't keep it straight--it seems to move a lot with very little steering change and then wanders the opposite direction. It does this constantly. We have watched the motor during this and the motor position seems stable. Any thoughts?

Also, the black sludge that comes fromt he prop----how much is normal? Mine seems to have a lot. It has onle been run at slow speeds for some time due to being unused. i just bought the boat. Any way to cleant he motor out?

Thanks.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Newbie--Steering and Black Sludge issues--Help Please

Welcome to Iboats. This is an awesome site with a seemingly endless knowledge base and everyone is willing to help. Im not claiming to be an expert but some black sludge is normal and yours sounds normal since it hasnt been used in some time. As for the steering issue, IMO, I'd start by unhooking the steering cable to pinpoint where its tight. It may be corrosion in the cable that is causing the problem. Once that issue is fixed, it may fix the wandering issue.

 

[jp2570]

Re: Newbie--Steering and Black Sludge issues--Help Please

First, thanks for the info and the welcome.

I unhooked the cable from the motor. The motor turns freely. The shaft that goes through the cylinder of the motor was corroded so I sanded/polished and applied some grease. Still steering stiff, but more in one direction than the other. Is there a way to lube the cables?

The sludge ran out yesterday after some prolonged idle speed on the local lake (idle is all that is allowed) and continued overnight. I checked the lower unit for water and did not see any. Any thoughts about flushing/cleaning all that sludge out? The previos owner said they would put muffs on it and start it occasionally to keep it running good. that sludge may be built up in the motor.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: Newbie--Steering and Black Sludge issues--Help Please

I have more experience with i/o's but if you found corrosion it may be time to replace the cables rather than trying to lube them. As far as the sludge goes, you may need to put it in a lake that you can run it up on plane for awhile to see if that flushes it out.

 

[jp2570]

Re: Newbie--Steering and Black Sludge issues--Help Please

Anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks

 

[j_martin]

Re: Newbie--Steering and Black Sludge issues--Help Please

I've successfully cleaned and re-oiled steering cables. If the outside jacket is in good shape, and the control cable inside is not frayed, rust and grease (yes, they don't like grease) can be cleaned out.

Here's a thread where a bunch of us were working on the problem.

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?188864-Steering-Cable-Lube

I get a going about post # 24