Evinrude oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 23

Pre-Season Snow Mobile Maintenance: Part Two

While you are conducting the exterior inspection, thoroughly examine the skis and runners for any signs of wear or damage. The runners should be straight and there shouldn’t be any holes, nicks, gouges or scrapes. Now that we’ve examined the outside of the snowmobile, it’s time to bring out the tools and get under the hood.

Begin by greasing all of the fittings and removing any rust or buildup. It’s important to grease all of the fittings each year to ensure their integrity and longevity. Just as your Evinrude oil maintains the inner workings, the grease keeps the fittings in pristine condition. You should have drained any excess gasoline prior to putting the vehicle into storage; if you didn’t, now is the time to.

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Summertime Boating Adventures

Every summer my cousin, Patrick, invites my whole family to his lake house in Portland to stay for an extended weekend of boating, fishing and barbeques. It’s something we all look forward to each August when the weather is warm and the daylight lasts well into the night. And every summer we always return from our visit with stories of adventure, laughter and family togetherness.

Last summer, in particular, delivered one of the craziest stories from that anticipated trip to-date. Patrick, my father, my aunt, my younger sister and I had voyaged out onto the water for an afternoon of margaritas and fishing when, all of the sudden, the boat motor began to shutter and then it stalled out, leaving us stranded hours from home. Fortunately, Patrick has always been the responsible and prepared one of the family. Within seconds he pulled out a backup supply of Evinrude XD 100 Oil to get things oiled up and running again. We were back on shore in no time and arrived just in time for my mom’s famous Sloppy Joes.

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What Does Motor Oil Do? Part Two

Not only does Evinrude outboard oil provide lubrication to the engine, it also reduces friction between the parts. It’s important to find a medium with the viscosity of the oil you use; if it’s too thick, the engine will have to work harder and you’ll lose power and efficiency. The lubrication and friction reduction produced by the oil helps to prevent rust and corrosion throughout the engine. In addition, premium oil will eliminate carbon deposits and prevent sludge buildup.

When sludge forms in the engine, it prohibits the flow of oil, compounding the damage. Part of the sludge is formed when oil reaches the hottest parts of the engine and burns—at least until recently that is. New additives have made oil burn cleaner, helping to reduce buildup in the system.

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What Does Motor Oil Do? Part One

Premium oils available today, such as Evinrude XD50 oil, do much more than simply lubricate your engine. It may not seem worth it to spend a few extra bucks to upgrade to high-grade oil, but your investment will pay huge dividends. First, quality oil facilitates easy starting for your vehicle. But in order for an oil to permit easy starting, you need to be sure that the viscosity is appropriate for the given weather conditions.

The chief purpose of oil—as we all know—is to lubricate the various components of the engine and prevent wear and corrosion. Traditionally, it’s been a challenge to develop oils that can perform in a range of climates and conditions. But thanks to the innovation of synthetics and additives, top oils are now graded for a spectrum of temperatures.

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Boat Engine Maintenance 101: Emissions

Emissions wreak havoc on the environment and pose a serious threat to those onboard your vessel. Luckily, you can work to minimize your emissions through a few simple maintenance procedures. The main hazard from your engine is carbon monoxide, which is difficult to detect because it is invisible and odorless. If you have water leaking out of the exhaust system, you can be sure that exhaust fumes are escaping as well.

In order to reduce your emissions, first look to the intercooler. Here, the air is cooled before it enters the engine, and although this is an integral component of the system, it is often overlooked. You’ll want to check these intercoolers regularly and be conscious of any water escaping from the exhaust system. If this is the case, you’ll probably want to take the craft to a professional. Also keep in mind that engines with premium oil, such as Evinrude XD 100, will run cleaner as well.

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Boat Engine Maintenance 101: Inspections

The cornerstone of engine maintenance is routine inspections. You can save yourself a lot of money and headache in the future by taking a few minutes to do a quick inspection every time you leave the dock. Most people assume that this is a complicated process requiring an extensive knowledge of engines, but it really just takes some common sense.

For the most part, it’s easy to see when there is a leak, loose fittings or unwanted debris clogging up the system. If you don’t feel comfortable looking around under the engine cover, seek out someone at the marina who can show you the ropes. I could write ten pages on how to check your Evinrude XD100 oil and examine the bilge pump, but unless you do it yourself, you will never get the hang of it. The important thing is to perform routine inspections and address any concerns before they have a chance to burgeon.

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How to Operate a Boat: Emergency Scenarios

If you encounter an emergency at sea, the most important thing is to not panic. Since you’re out in the middle of the water, you need to think quickly and clearly, as you never know if help is going to arrive. One of the most common emergencies on a boat is having a man overboard. If you can’t see where the person has gone, turn off the engine immediately to avoid causing them any more harm. Have one of the other people onboard raise your warning flag to alert other boaters to the person. Once you’ve identified the person in the water, throw them a flotation device and slowly move the boat in their direction.

Whether you have a medical emergency or simply didn’t pack enough gasoline and Evinrude XD 100, there may come times when it’s necessary to signal another boat. It’s always a good idea to have a VHF or CB radio onboard, but if you don’t, you can use one of these internationally recognized distress signals: waving of your arms, reflecting sunlight with a mirror, SOS message or a flare.

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How to Operate a Boat: Starting the Motor

The first thing you’ll need to know when operating a boat is how to get the machine started. Begin by making sure that the shift lever is in neutral, which will be straight up on most models. Pull the choke if the engine is cold; if the engine is warm, only use the choke if it doesn’t start up after a couple of tires. Turn the throttle until it’s in the “start” position.

The engine will have a pulley like a lawnmower; pull this rope gently until there is resistance, then pull quickly. This process often will need to be repeated numerous times. After the engine starts, push the choke in slowly if necessary. Turn the throttle back to the “run” position. If the engine doesn’t start up after a few tries, check to see if there is enough gas and Evinrude XD100 oil in the tank.

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Motor Oil: How Long Will It Last?

Many people buy their Evinrude XD 100 oil in bulk in order to save a little money. But oil, like all liquid lubricants, will go bad over time. However, the way you store your oil can significantly prolong its shelf life. Be sure that the oil is stored in a dry area which isn’t subject to severe temperature changes. The oil will also last longer if it remains sealed and unopened.

Most oils will last four to five years on the shelf, but you have to remember that technology is constantly improving. What was state-of-the-art oil five years ago may be obsolete today. Simple oils will have a longer shelf life than more complex formulas. For example, base and process oils will last at least three years while metal cutting oils will only be good for about one.

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Motor Oil: Understanding the Label

Virtually every oil on the market today is multi-grade oil, meaning it contains additives to maintain viscosity as the engine heats up. As opposed to single-grade oil, such as Evinrude XD 100, you can use premium multi-grade oil in a variety of climates. Most people are familiar with the _W-__ labeling on motor oil, and this actually will tell you the oil’s viscosity as different temperatures.

The number before the ‘W’ indicates the cold viscosity rating, while the second number is the hot. For example, 10W-40 would be the equivalent to 10-rated oil in the cold and a no more than a 40 when the temp outside heats up. This rating is also used to grade the oil: 0W-30, 0W-40 and 5W-40 are fully synthetic; 5-W-30, 10W-40 and 15W-40 are semi-synthetic; 10W-40 and 15W-40 are mineral.

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Winterizing Your ATV: Part Two

If you took the time to change your Evinrude XD 100 and perform other basic maintenance before putting your ATV in storage, getting your vehicle operational once again should be a cinch. All of the fuel should have been burned out of the engine, so the first line of business is to fill up the tank again and be sure that the oil levels are adequate. Reconnect the battery and ensure that any coverings on the muffler or other openings have been removed.

Even though you probably checked all of the fittings and hardware prior to storage, you can never be too careful. Give the ATV a quick inspection and ensure that all of the moving parts are well lubricated. This is also a good time to examine the fuel line, wheels, steering system and the suspension.

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Winterizing Your Boat: Part Five

Now that all of the major winterization is out of the way—such as changing the Evinrude XD 100, draining the fuel and lubricating the various systems—it’s time to tie up some of the loose ends. Detach all of the battery cables and remove the battery from the boat. You’ll want to store the battery in a cool, dry place—probably the same location as the vessel itself. Clean and dry the bilges using soap and hot water. Once this is done, apply some lubricant.

The final step is to clean both the interior and the hull of the vessel thoroughly. Cleaning the interior is fairly self-explanatory, but for the hull you’ll want to use a pressure washer to breakthrough all of the caked on deposits and grime. This winterization process probably seems extensive, and it is to a certain extent. However, when next boating season rolls around you’ll be glad you put in the extra effort.

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