Boating | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 35

How to Maintain an Outboard Motor

How to Maintain an Outboard MotorJust as it is important to maintain your car’s engine for optimum performance, your boat requires a certain amount of care for consistent and smooth operation. Since an outboard motor hangs outside the hull of a boat, it requires special attention to prolong its life. Caution when transporting your boat to the destination of your planned outing is extremely important. The motor and boat trailer should be braced securely so that the motion of land travel does not cause permanent damage.

Each time a boat is returned from a salt water excursion, the outboard motor should be flushed out with fresh water to prevent the pump and lines from corrosion. Outboard motor oil and gas lines should be drained and disconnected before storing your boat for an extended period of time to keep the carburetor clean. The area around the propeller and gears of the motor should be checked for cleanliness and excess water accumulation. The pump inside the motor should also be checked to ensure the impellers do not look worn. If all of these steps are taken regularly, your outboard motor should provide its best possible performance.

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Boat Motor Oil Viscosity

boat motor oilThe viscosity of boat motor oil is one of its most important properties, as it measures how any given oil will flow. Thicker oils will generally have a higher viscosity than thinner oils. The viscosity of boat motor oil is essential for productive engine operation.

The numbers and letters on boat motor oil packaging refer to measurements that have been taken at specific temperatures. A “W” means the oil meets viscosity specifications for winter use. Multi-viscosity boat motor oils prevent the oil from thinning as it warms up because polymers have been added to prevent the oil from thinning. It is wise to use multi-viscosity boat motor oil with the narrowest span of viscosity for the temperatures you will encounter-in the winter, for the lowest expected temperature, and for the summer, for the highest temperature anticipated.

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Electric Boats Gaining Increase in Popularity

Electric Boats Gaining Increase in PopularityNot unlike the growing popularity of hybrid cars, increasing gas prices are causing boating enthusiasts to think smart.

This year, as boat sales in general seems to have slowed, there has been a 50% growth in electric boat sales. The boats still utilize outboard motor oil, yet they provide relief at waterside gas stations, which generally charge more for gas than roadside gas stations, as there is little in the way of competition.

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Cleaning Your Boat

Cleaning Your BoatIn addition to a good upkeep on your engine (such as regularly changing your marine engine oil), you also need to make sure your boat itself is clean. It may seem like a superficial process, but if you take care of your boat, it will take care of you.

Some cleaners on the market can actually damage the sealant on your boat. The phosphorous contained in many cleaning products is difficult to rinse from a surface. That residue builds up eventually causing the sealant to soften, which then results in oxidation. Strong cleaners can do the same thing. Use these products to clean your motors or when removing oil or heavy residue. Go sparingly then rinse immediately.

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History of Outboard Motors

History of Outboard MotorsThe creation of the first practical outboard motor is often credited to Norwegian-American inventor Ole Evinrude in 1909.

Historically, a majority of outboards have been two-stroke powerheads fitted with a carburetor due to the designs inherent simplicity, reliability, low cost and light weight.

In the 1990s, U.S. and European exhaust emissions regulations led to the proliferation of four-stroke outboards. Though fewer in number, four-stroke outboards have always been with us.

Outboard motors benefit from the ability to draw coolant from the water, obviating the need for radiators and cooling fans, thereby simplifying the design and lowering component weight. The motors also have several brands (i.e. Yamalube, Mercury and the creator’s namesake, Evinrude) of oil to choose from, giving the consumer a seemingly infinite amount of options based on their needs.

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Oil Prices Slide, Gas Prices Steady

Oil Prices Slide, Gas Prices SteadyOnce again, the prices of bulk oil have fallen, trading at $133.64 from nearly $140. Gas prices, however, remain around $4.11 per gallon. Though analysts suggest that the sporadic rise and fall of oil means that the previously mentioned breaking price of $150 per barrel will happen, the price jump has been a headache for many Americans, stifling traveling via plane or car; and even affecting the boating industry.

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Yamaha Shows off New Outboard

YamalubeYamaha Motor Corporation has unveiled a second generation four stroke 250hp outboard featuring digital electronic remote control for greatly improved operability and reliability.

The new F250B is based on the proven 3.3 litre V6 from the ground breaking F250A. The new release Yamaha F250B offers a suite of technological advantages for smooth throttle operation, responsive performance plus secure and reliable gear shifting.

At the heart of the new model F250B is Yamaha’s digital electronic remote control system. Governed and monitored by Yamaha’s sophisticated Engine Control Module (ECM), throttle control and gear shift is digitally controlled through a remote electronic box linked to the throttle lever.

These new features display the company’s commitment to product enhancement, which also includes their in-house oil brand, Yamalube.

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Winterizing Your Boat

Winterizing Your BoatIt may be sometime before the season ends, but you’ll want to read up on the precautions you need to take to ensure a long life for your boat. Prior to the step below, Drain the gear case and check for excessive moisture in the boat motor oil.

Then, flush engine with fresh water using flush muffs or similar device attached to the raw water pickup. Let all water drain from the engine. Wash engine down with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Disconnect fuel hose and run engine until it stops. It is important to follow a step by step process to make sure that all fuel is drained from the carburetor to prevent build-up of deposits from evaporated fuel. Use fogging oil in the cylinders to lubricate the cylinder walls and pistons. Apply water resistant grease to propeller shaft and threads. Change the gear oil in the lower unit. Lightly lubricate the exterior of the engine or polish with a good wax.

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New Outboard for Duck Hunters

New Outboard for Duck HuntersJust in time for duck season comes the Mercury Flyway 25 EFI FourStroke outboard with Advantage MAX-4 HD camouflage and matching low-gloss paint, so hunters seeking total stealth no longer need hide an outboard under spray paint, stickers or a bag.

Mercury says if you look carefully, you’ll see that the pattern incorporates cattails, millet, milo, corn stalks, sunflowers, oak and maple leaves, cedar and oak limbs, plus a variety of other plant life. The Flyway 25, available at participating dealers, features battery-free electronic fuel injection system and is available in both electric and manual start models; and, of course, it’s suggested that you use Mercury engine oil with the boat.

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Picking the Proper Two-Cycle Oil

Two-Cycle OilTo understand how two cycle oil works in your engine, we need to cover some basic information on engine operating conditions and oil formulation. Outboard engines are characterized by their constant speed, high output operation. They are usually set at a desired high speed and continue at that speed until the destination is reached and then throttled down. Also, they are constantly cooled with fresh, cool, non re-circulated water.

Chainsaws, on the other hand, are a high action operation. They are constantly started and stopped, used for short periods, and frequent overloads are its hard place in life. Additionally, they have smaller displacements than outboards and are air cooled. By understanding how the operation of an engine can affect the oil used and how oil can affect the engine, we can better appreciate the difference between a water cooled two-cycle oil and one formulated for an air cooled two-cycle engine.

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A Simple Task

A Simple TaskBefore taking your boat out on the water, you may want to go over the following checklist just to make sure that she will run as well as she should. These are relatively easy things to look over that should take no more than half-an-hour.

  • Sniff engine compartment for gasoline fumes
  • Check marine engine oil level
  • Check electrolyte level in batteries
  • Check power steering fluid
  • Check belts
  • Check hoses
  • Check trim/tilt fluid
  • Check propeller
  • Once started-check all gauges
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The Big Problem with Oil Leaks

boat motor oilJust like with your car, boat motor oil leaks can signal a problem. Find oil leakage can be indicated in several ways, whether it’s a pool in your garage or driveway or if it’s mixed with water when you remove the water plug. Here are some things you should look at to surmise a leakage problem:

  • Check your dipstick before and after you take your boat out. It’s also good practice to do this anyway.
  • Check if there’s oil in the oil pan.
  • Check the level in your tilt and trim reservoir.
  • Change your filter, if necessary.

If you’re still having issues, consult a professional boat mechanic to see if there are any other parts of the boat you may have glossed over. The main thing is to solve this problem immediately before it causes a great deal of damage to your boat.

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