Motor Oil | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 45

Tune-Up IV: Find and Replace the Fuel Filter

boat-motor-oilToday we present the fourth in our five-part series on annual outboard motor tune-ups. With any luck, this will have given you a better idea of how to go about conducting this yearly routine. As always, it’s critical to follow the maintenance guidelines provided by the outboard manufacturer above all else. Now, let’s move on to the fuel filter. This unit separates fuel from water, in effect allowing the motor to run smoothly and efficiently.

It only stands to reason that before you can replace the filter, you must find it. Not all outboard motors are alike, but generally speaking you’ll find the fuel filter inside the cover at the engine end of the fuel pump. Any water or sediment you find built up within should be removed, then replace the filter with a new one. Next it’s time to turn our attention to the cowling on the engine.

Believe it or not, a thin coat of car wax on the cowling can help keep rust at bay and restore luster. Begin mixing fuel for your 2-stroke outboard according to the proportions recommended in your outboard manual. After combining fresh boat motor oil with fuel, you’re at last ready to drop that engine in the water. Mount it and set it up on the transom without much trimming.

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The Trouble with Fuel Additives

bulk-outboard-motor-oilSeveral decades ago, when Congress granted the Environmental Protection Agency increased powers to regulate America’s air and water pollution, outboard motor manufacturers were forced to take notice. Inefficient 2-stroke engines had been the norm up to that point, and it was agreed that the outboard companies would either have to drop 2-strokes from their product lines entirely or find a way to make them more eco-friendly.

As evidenced by the newer offerings from Mercury, Evinrude and Yamaha, motor companies found innovative ways to boost efficiency. While most of these attempts were successful, others were ill-advised. This was especially true of the additives that were suddenly being used to supplement marine and auto fuels. An additive called MTBE was thought to bolster octane rating and to burn more of the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the exhaust.

Unfortunately, MTBE also turned out to be a serious contaminant that mixes easily with water and seeps into groundwater leaving pollution in its wake. The latest replacement additive for MTBE, ethanol, isn’t much better when considered in high concentrations. Its environmental impact is beneficial, but the substance mixes with water to create a sludge that can crack and clog outboard fuel systems. It just goes to show that motor companies and researchers have yet to find the perfect fuel additive blend. For now it’s best to stick with low-ethanol fuel and bulk outboard motor oil.

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For Beginners, Keep it Simple

yamalube-2w-oilWith a vast array of products available for your boat and WaveRunner, it can be difficult to decide what products are right for you. If you are unfamiliar with purchasing oil and other products, stick with manufacturer and name brands until you are more familiar with product specifications. Products, such as Yamalube 2w oil, are specifically designed by the manufacturer for use in their machines.

These name brand products will ensure that you are getting the proper features in oil and other products to meet your needs. Once you become more familiar with the specific needs of your vehicle, you can try out other product lines. The manufacturer’s version, however, is a good starting point for the novice.

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Save Big with Routine Maintenance

outboard-oilYesterday’s post about fuel flow meters got me thinking about other simple ways for boaters to save money in this uncertain economic client. If you can’t afford upgrade your boat’s meter and instrument panel at this time, there’s no need to despair. With a bit of discipline and ingenuity, you can help ensure that your marine vessel will never let you down in a pinch.

All boat manufacturers provide a recommended schedule of maintenance. This schedule is intended to give boaters all the information they need to keep the craft running at peak performance. Not surprisingly, the better you do at keeping up with routine maintenance, the less money you’ll have to pay for repairs down the line. Maintaining the engine should be made a top priority; if you neglect a marine motor you’ll end up spending more for outboard oil.

As is the case with automotive engines, a marine engine becomes practically useless if it’s allowed to overheat. Since outboards pull in water from the lake or river through an impeller pump, you’ll need to check this system and replace its components at regular intervals. Don’t skimp on crank case lubricants either as they keep the internal parts of the system running smoothly.

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Navigating the Used Boat Market

boat-for-sale

When it comes to creating the perfect fishing boat setup, I’m never satisfied. Sure, I’ve had my share of fun and caught my share of fish on old, beat-up boats, but it always seems like the grass is greener on the other side. Whenever I’m driving down the street or taking a walk around the neighborhood and I spot a “for sale” sign on a fishing boat, I immediately begin to take stock of my finances.

Still, I’ve learned plenty of lessons over the years about purchasing old boats and installing outboard motors. First, it’s important to realize that if a boat seems like too great of a deal, there’s probably a reason for it. Don’t skimp on your pre-purchase inspection – look things over thoroughly. The structural integrity of the hull is perhaps the single most critical factor. If the boat isn’t seaworthy, you’ll spend many times more for repairs than you did purchasing the vessel in the first place.

The next consideration involves the outboard motor. Will you be installing an old engine that’s sitting around in your garage or going after a brand new motor? There are several elements you’ll be able to reuse from your old outboard, including the gas tank, the battery and the steering system. Remember to check the shaft length of the outboard to make sure it corresponds with the boat’s transom. Top off the outboard with Yamaha oil before taking it for its second “maiden” voyage.

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Save on Fuel with These Basic Tips

fueling

As most small boat owners would quickly admit, a large portion of their recreational budget goes toward fuel prices. After spending enough time on the lake, one begins to figure out a few veteran maneuvers that help cut down on gas and oil costs. First, a point we’ve tried to drive home many times in the past on this blog: Perform basic maintenance on your outboard engine after every trip. That way you’ll catch any developing problems in their infancy and nip them in the bud before they become expensive.

Don’t simply take it for granted that your boat’s propeller is in perfect working order. Inspect the prop before putting your vessel in the water. If it has visible scrapes or nicks along the blades’ leading edges, you could be losing efficiency moving through the water. The laws of physics dictate that a heavier boat will require more energy just to get around. Ditch any excess gear before leaving the dock and you could end up saving significantly on outboard motor oil.

Pay attention to the weather report as water conditions often dictate how much energy your motor expends. Rough, choppy water is a pain to plow through, and a calm, placid lake makes for smooth sailing. Finally, take notes over the course of a few fishing trips. Each time, run the motor at a different speed and calculate your efficiency. Every boat has a target speed where the engine performs at the most efficient level possible.

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More Battery Tips

boatpush

We recently discussed the importance of packing multiple battery systems for fishing excursions. One system should be devoted to the general operation of the boat – the cranking function that starts it up – and the other should be relegated to smaller tasks like keeping the radio, radar and GPS juiced up. You might be wondering how it’s possible to prevent one battery from being used up by providing power to all of the boat’s electrical needs.

Yamaha’s battery isolator system has the ability to recharge multiple batteries right onboard the boat. This is especially handy because it’s crucial to keep the cranking battery operational for the duration of a trip. There’s nothing worse than finding out that an outboard engine won’t restart during the middle of your journey. The battery isolator system senses which battery has the least energy and supplies it with a charge. If both are equally tapped or equally full, they each receive the same amount of power.

Note that batteries should always be mounted a safe distance away from the boat’s fuel system. Fuel lines, gas tanks and outboard motor oil in general should be kept separate from electronic components. By keeping these and other safety measures in mind, you can ensure a fun, relaxing late-season boat trip.

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Don’t Let that Fuel System Corrode in the Offseason

boat-at-dock

You’ve done everything right so far. When it came time to winterize your boat, you followed every solid piece of advice, from flushing the outboard engine with fresh water to disconnecting the fuel hose and changing the gear oil. Unfortunately, there’s one minor detail you may have overlooked, and it’s a doozie. It’s just as important to care for your engine and its components during the offseason as it is during the height of summer.

While your boat is still being used regularly, you’re always diligent about replenishing the supply of bulk oil, so don’t skimp on the essentials during winter. You’ll need to implement a fuel additive – a stabilizer specifically – to ensure that the fuel system doesn’t corrode from disuse. During the summer, most of the varnish and other assorted buildup in the fuel system is flushed out as the engine is in regular use.

These additives keep the system well lubricated so that rust and corrosion don’t build up on the bare metal parts in the fuel system. Since it’s nearly impossible as well as unadvisable to drain all of the water out of your fuel system, additives keep excess water at bay, preventing varnish and sludge from depositing inside the injectors, carburetors and other vital parts of the engine.

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Mercury Marine’s Latest Offer

mercury-engine-oil

September is a bittersweet month for many boaters; when the cool winds begin to blow, we know it won’t be long before it’s time to take those small vessels out of the water and into storage for winterization. Unless you’re lucky enough to live in an area where there’s open water all year long, these same thoughts are probably running through your head. Mercury Marine, manufacturers of the two-cycle OptiMax engines, has timed its latest promotion with the end of the boating season in mind.

With its “Trade Up America” event, Mercury is offering sizable rebates – ranging from $300 to $1,000 – when boat owners upgrade to a fuel-efficient OptiMax outboard. According to one Mercury representative, the event has been timed to coincide with the start of the winterizing process, when boat owners are starting to think ahead about next year. The offer is valid through Halloween.

It wasn’t long ago that outboard motor manufacturers came under fire from the Environmental Protection Agency, inspiring them to up their fuel-efficiency standards. These days, Mercury engine oil is specially formulated to meet rigorous lubricity and viscosity guidelines. The net effect is that engines like the OptiMax can run with tremendous power and efficiency, all without taking a serious toll on the environment.

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Summertime Fun on a Boat

boating

One of my favorite summertime activities is piling all of my friends and family on my neighbor’s beautiful Sea Ray boat. The Sun Devil II, as he calls it due to his stint at Arizona State University, is a sleeper boat clad with a mini kitchen and bathroom. Up top it sits about eight people comfortably, and 10 or more party style. It’s a great luxury to live next to the water, especially when you’re a boat lover like me. It seems that every holiday we’re gathered on the Sun Devil II once again, taking on a new adventure.

Of all my favorable memories on my neighbor’s boat, there was one unfortunate day of misfortune. It was an extremely hot and humid day, ideal conditions for boating. We had all jumped into the boat early in the day; we wanted to claim the best spot on the water. And after an hour of searching, we had found it. We casted our anchor and unpacked our lunch, relaxing in the summer sun. The trouble began when we went to start the boat up again. It made a horrible churning noise and began spouting black smoke. It turns out we had left one important thing back on shore, a sufficient amount of boat motor oil.

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E-TEC Engine: Let’s Get Specific

evinrude-oil1.jpg

Yesterday we talked generally about the Evinrude E-TEC engine and its environmental benefits over the 2-stroke outboards that came before. Today we’ll focus our attention on the inner workings of the E-TEC injector. As most boaters know, air is the enemy of lubrication. Well aware that a well-lubricated engine runs longer and smoother, the makers of the E-TEC designed the engine to recirculate fuel through the injector while also keeping air out.

Obviously, machines that feature fewer moving parts pose a smaller threat of breaking down. Compared to other models, the E-TEC has one-fourth the number of total parts. The oil reservoir marked another crucial improvement. The automatic oiling system feeds a 1.8 liter tan, which stores enough oil to last 40 hours of routine recreational use. It’s imperative, however, that the E-TEC is fed a steady diet of Evinrude oil or some other quality TC-W3. Even though these engines boast a large fuel tank and a recirculation system, that’s no excuse to skimp on all-important lubrication.

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E-TEC Engine: Saving the Two-Stroke Industry

e-tec_engine_003.jpgJust a decade ago, the face of the small boating industry was dramatically different. Environmentally conscious boaters were disenchanted with the two-stroke engines of the era – inefficiency and a propensity to pollute had placed them firmly behind their four-stroke counterparts. If that weren’t already enough to signal the two-stroke’s demise, the Environmental Protection Agency set rigorous pollution standards for snowmobiles, personal water craft and other recreational vehicles that utilized two-stroke motors.

The two-stroke renaissance came just in the nick of time – when Evinrude introduced the revolutionary line of E-TEC engines. For years two-stroke engineers had been caught in a serious dilemma – how could they increase the engine’s power while simultaneously cutting emissions? They found their answer in a device known as the Lorentz coil, which had previously been used exclusively for audio technology. The E-TEC fuel injection system also helps keep pollution to a minimum.

Even if the EPA were to place further restrictions on two-stroke engines, the E-TEC could stand pat as a leader in its field. According to one Evinrude executive, the engine only burns 1 percent of the total intake, and the oil doesn’t mix with gasoline. The engine requires very little maintenance, but regular oil checks are recommended. As with any outboard motor, it’s important to keep things well lubricated with Evinrude outboard oil.

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