Routine maintenance on a 140hp mercruiser alpha one?

Question

Hey guys. I have a ski boat with a 140hp merc I/O. All I ever do is winterize by draining the water out of it and change the motor oil and filter. What else should I be doing for preventative maintenance. It seems like there is all kinds of lubes and grease for sale out there and I don't use any of them. What do you guys do for your boats?

Answer 1

Change the lower unit lube on a regular basis. (Yearly)

And hit the zirks (sp?) on the outdrive with some grease.

Every now and then Marinas like to line up the drive. (2-3 years)

U-joints and gimbal bearing should be checked on a regular basis. (5 years or when noise occurs)

Answer 2

I addition to everything truenorth sez, check the condition of the bellows between the upper gearcase and the transom plate.  pull the folds apart and have a good look.  These should be replaced about every five years, and are fairly important, because if they leak your boat may sink.  Consider changing your plugs, cap and rotor every 150 hrs. Don't forget to change your water seperating filter yearly.  Don't have one?  Get one!