Preventive Maintenance

[foxden]

Are there any symptoms for an engine that needs to be de-carbed, or is it just a matter of preventive maintenance? The same question applies to carburetors, should one "re-build" theirs every so many years or wait for problems?

 

[JB]

Re: Preventive Maintenance

Great question, foxden. It deserves discussion, but it is a general outboard question, not a trouble.<br /><br />Moving to General Outboard.

 

[james roach]

Re: Preventive Maintenance

It's been my experience that there are no warning signs until a ring breaks and you are up the creek. I was riding in a friends boat once and a ring broke about a mile from the ramp after riding all day (35 miles). Other than a low compression reading I cant think of any other possibilities. To decarbon a motor is preventative maintainence. I have known them to run better after the decarbon process.

 

[glass from the past]

Re: Preventive Maintenance

Hey Foxden,<br /><br />I noticed on my motor (79 Chrysler 40 horse, 2 stroke) that I would have trouble getting the motor to hold a low idle and I had a hard time starting it, 4 or 5 times with the key. After decarbing and a fresh set of plugs A-OK. I am told this is due to the reeds getting carbon buildup and they do not meter fuel correctly.

 

[foxden]

Re: Preventive Maintenance

Followed the general advice and decarbed my engine. Runs great, starts quickly and accelerates smoothly from idle to WOT. Thanks for the help.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Preventive Maintenance

foxden, just out of curiosity, what method did you use to decarb?

 

[foxden]

Re: Preventive Maintenance

I mixed 3/4 gal fuel, 1 can seafoam and 3 oz oil. Warmed the engine up on muffs and then changed from the regular fuel to my mix. Kept the rpms around 11-1200 for about 15-20 minutes and shut it down for at least 20 minutes. Started it up (smoked a bit at first) and ran for another 20 minutes. Shut down, waited, etc one more time. I have a 90 hp Yamaha and I wound up using about 1/2 of the mix in total.