Boat outboard servicing.?

Question

What does a typical full service for a boat outboard include ie. changing sparkplugs or what could one expect to be done to a boat outboard when one sends it in for a full service?

B

Answer 1

A basic freshwater outboard service is quite simple. The first thing you want to do is probably change the plugs. At my marina, we change the plugs in all of the 2-cycle outboards with the exception of Mercury OptiMax's, Yamaha HPDI's and Evinrude FICHT Ram injected models. Those ones can go a few years without plug changes. You also don't have to change them every year on a 4-cycle outboard either. If it's 2 cycle, change the plugs because it's cheap insurance...it's quite a bummer to be out on the lake on a nice day and foul a plug because you didn't want to change them. Then, change the lower unit gear lube. Don't forget to replace the washers/o-rings on the drain/vent plugs either. You don't want water to get in there, and make sure it isn't "double gasketed" before you do that. Take the prop off and grease the prop shaft, and locate all of your grease fittings along the transom mount of the motor and where the steering mechanism is and shoot one or two pumps into those as well. Make sure you have "muffs" to run the boat on a hose to make sure it's pumping water. Sometimes a little bit of gunk or dirt/dust will accumulate in the teletale (hose that the water comes out of) so you can take a piece of mechanics wire or a paperclip and push that in and out of the teletale to break any of that stuff up. Your carbs should remain clean as long as you drain the bowls every fall before you put it away. Don't do any unnecessary work like cleaning the carbs every year unless it needs to be done. To be on the safe side you can replace the impeller every two seasons, but you can usually go 4 or 5 before that needs to be replaced. Other than that, you're pretty much ready to go. When you're finished in the fall, just drain the carbs, squirt a minute amount of 2 cycle oil in each cylinder and turn it over a few times so your motor doesn't lock up over the winter either. Good Luck w/ you boat.

Answer 2

a full service may vary from place to place... a full service represents a change or check on all items not covered under warranty.... these items include but are not limited to:

-spark plugs

-lower unit lube

-oil change ( if 4-stroke )

-check compression

-water pump

-oil / water seals on lower unit ( on prop shaft )

-fuel filters

-fuel / water separator filters

-test engine warning sensors

-grease trailer hubs

if you need certain work done, it is a good idea not to assume that it will be done during a full service... the mechanic will not mind if you just give him a break down of what exactly you want or need done...

Answer 3

Carburetor cleaned, oil changed (if four stroke), plugs changed or cleaned and sometimes new plug wires if current ones are old. If you are wanting it winterized, then the battery should be disconnected and fuel stabilized should be added to fuel tank.