Evinrude oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 26

History of the Outboard Motor

In the boating community, outboard motors and the Evinrude name go hand in hand. Many probably attribute this to the fact that Evinrude is a leading manufacturer of outboard motors, and that is certainly one reason. However, few people realize that Ole Evinrude, the company’s founder, was actually the inventor of the outboard motor.

In the early 1900s, Ole began conceptualizing and building a detachable engine to affix to a watercraft. The first successful outboard motor was constructed in 1907, the year of the company’s founding. Although it has been over a century since that first motor, many of those same components—vertical crankshaft, horizontal flywheels and bevel gears—are still used in modern engines. Today, Evinrude continues to be a trailblazer in the outboard motor industry, offering a range of premium engines and products like Evinrude XD 100.

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Outboard Motor Maintenance: Part Two

Yesterday we touched on the importance of flushing your outboard motor after each outing, and today we will overview the process. Begin by placing your “rabbit ears”—two rubber seals with a metal clamp—on the lower unit and attaching a standard garden hose. Turn on the engine and allow the water to pump through the system for 10-15 minutes. While the engine is being flushed, we can take care of some other maintenance.

Check the water pump to ensure an adequate flow of water; the water coming out of the system should be warm, not hot. If the flow is weak, insert a wire into the flow tube to loosen any debris. Once the engine is flushed, disconnect the fuel line to burn all of the excess gasoline and Evinrude XD100 in the carburetor. Tomorrow we continue discussing outboard motor fuel maintenance procedures.

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Basic Boating Manners

While there is a well-laid set of rules and regulations dictating the proper procedures on the road at all times, much of the marine code of conduct is simply understood. Most of your time on the water will be spent away from other boats, but it is crucial to know the appropriate course of action when encountering fellow seafarers. When passing another boat, be sure to give ample room so your wake doesn’t disrupt them too much; if you are the one being overtaken, slowdown to allow other boater to pass.

Especially if you are boating on a large body of water, it can be several miles to the next refilling station. To that end, I keep extra fuel and Evinrude XD 100 onboard in case of an emergency—either my own or a fellow boater’s. When docking your boat, there is often a lengthy line at the launch. As such, it is important to load your boat on the trailer in a timely fashion and clear the dock for other boaters. Since people can’t take numbers, it is on a first come first serve basis. It may seem tempting to cut in on an open dock, but before you do, make sure you aren’t impeding on someone else.

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Marine Spring Cleaning: Part Two

Yesterday we covered the exterior inspection, and now it is time to move on to the more complex aspects of boat maintenance: the engine and electrical systems. Hopefully you charged the battery before you put your boat away in storage, otherwise you may have some trouble getting your watercraft started. Check the water level of the battery and ensure that it will hold a charge. Next, perform a thorough inspection of the gauges and lighting fixtures, as well as verifying that all of the various wires are intact.

Now is also a good time to make sure that you have the proper emergency equipment and extra supplies onboard. Fire extinguishers and first aid kits are a must, as are distress signals and a bailer. Also be sure to keep an extra stock of gasoline and Evinrude XD100 oil at hand for emergencies and incase you come across a stranded boater. We’ll conclude our series tomorrow with a review of both inboard and outboard engines.

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Boating Safety: Part Five

If you have never owned a boat before, enrolling in a boat safety course before hitting the water is advisable—and many states now require you to complete one anyhow. States have varying names for their certifications, but they all indicate the completion of a boating course. These courses can typically be completed online and will cover a wide spectrum of safety information, incldungin transporting, launching and driving your boat. However, you’ll want to spend some time to learn basic maintenance procedures—such as refilling the Evinrude XD100—on your own.

Once obtained, most boating certificates and licenses are good for life. And even if your state doesn’t require it, taking a qualified safety course is never a bad idea.

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Boating Safety: Part Two

Although a body of water won’t have designated lanes like a highway, there are still laws in place that dictate the proper flow of traffic for boaters. Just as when driving an automobile— in the United States at least— boaters should stay to the right and, generally, work in a counterclockwise motion around a lake or large body of water. This one rule will greatly reduce your risk on the water, but be alert, as other boaters may not be aware of this requirement.

When pulling a skier, wakeboarder or even an innertuber, it is crucial to stay attentive and constantly survey your surroundings. Always have an extra person on board to keep an eye on the person being pulled in case they go down. Keep a safety flag stowed away with your reserve fuel, Evinrude XD 100 oil and other gear; this is used to alert other boaters when there is a person in the water.

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Boat Engine Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Part Five

Neglecting to change your Evinrude XD100 will cause your motor oil to become acidic. When this happens, the acid in the oil can create corrosive damage throughout the engine. Acidic oil will be thick and black in appearance, so if this is the case, it is an obvious indication that you should be changing your oil more frequently. While oil must be changed at least every 100 hours, it is also advisable to put in new oil prior to storage.

Once the oil has been changed, check the oil filters as well. Since these are one of the main ways that contaminants are removed from your oil and the engine, opt for the pricier models. This is also a good time to check the oil hoses and inspect the rest of the engine for rust and damage. A small amount of rust is normal, but if you find a surfeit, there is probably something wrong. If this is the case, seek out a professional mechanic to diagnose the problem.

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Boat Engine Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Part Two

Regardless of the size of your boat, developing a checklist for your routine maintenance procedures is essential. A checklist will ensure that no simple tasks such as changing your Evinrude XD 100 aren’t overlooked, and as you get to know your boat better, you will certainly want to add and expand this list. It is also helpful to keep a log of all the maintenance you do so that you can monitor when various components and fluids were replaced.

When developing your checklist, it is important to prioritize and recognize what should be left to qualified professionals. Some tasks may be above your head, while with others, the money that you spend on a mechanic will be worth the time and effort that you save. Procrastination is one of the main causes of boat trouble—the sooner you detect a problem, the cheaper and easier it will be to remedy.

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Fishing Season is Underway

The start of fishing season is one of my favorite times of year; not only do I get to spend my weekends out on the lake, but it also is when I take the cover off my Bayliner and prepare for boating season. A couple of weeks before the fishing season begins, I take my boat out of storage so that I have an opportunity to go through my preseason maintenance schedule. Nothing is worse than getting to the middle of the lake only to find out that your Evinrude xd 100 oil has run out and there is a crack in the fuel line.

Since all of my maintenance was done ahead of time, I was out on the lake at six in the morning the day the season started. The early bird gets the worm scenario didn’t pan out for my son and me, as we didn’t catch anything all day. This trend continued last week, so I’ve been looking into some new spots for us to test out weekend.

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TC-W3 Certification

Virtually all marine engines are two-stroke, which necessitates a particular type of motor oil. In a two-stroke engine, the fuel and oil are mixed so that the system is lubricated as it is supplied with gas. There are myriad reasons why two-strokes are superior for use on the water, but they also have their drawbacks. Because the oil is mixed with the fuel, two-stroke engines tend to emit an excess of burnt oil.

For manufacturers, the goal is to produce oil that can be used in a smaller proportion to the amount of fuel, such as Evinrude xd100. This will help eliminate much of the emissions that are created by excess oil in the system. Of course, this reduction in the oil to fuel ration can’t come at the expense of lubrication and performance. In order to develop criteria so that owners can recognize premium oils that meet all of this criteria, the NMMA developed TC-W3 certification, which we will be examining the rest of the week.

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Offseason Snowmobile Care: Part Five

In the final installment of our series on storing your sled, we’ll look at some final measures to take before relegating your vehicle to a safe corner for its summer hibernation. Some models will have a secondary clutch, and if this is the case, you will need to disassemble it and apply grease to the sheave bushing. Lastly, every metal surface, nut and bolt should be coated with a preserving oil to prevent rusting be sure to keep the oil away from plastic and rubber components.

When determining a location to store the snowmobile, look for a dry place that is free of moisture. Place a cover over the body of the sled and put blocks underneath the front bumper and the rear frame, which will keep the track and skis off the floor. Refrain from starting the engine until the next season, as this will extricate the oil from the system. Before you startup you snowmobile next season, be sure that you double-check your Evinrude XD 100 and other essential fluid levels.

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Offseason Snowmobile Care: Part Three

Yesterday we lubricated the entire system with Evinrude oil and prepared the fuel tank so that it won’t rust during the offseason; now its time progress to the carburetor and the drive belt. Begin by removing the float bowl drains from the carburetor, which will allow the fuel to escape. If fuel is left in the carburetor during the offseason, it will evaporate and leave a residue, which has the potential to clog passageways in your system.

Once the fuel is drained from the carburetor, remove the drive belt and store it unrolled in a safe location. Leaving the belt on during the offseason can cause it to warp to the shape of your sled. There is also the possibility of condensation collecting in-between the clutch sheaves and the belt, which will be detrimental to the smoothness of your ride. Tomorrow we will discuss proper storage of the battery and go over a few minor adjustments to ensure the integrity of your snowmobile isn’t jeopardized.

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