Prolonging the Life of Your Boat

marine engine oilYou should change your marine engine oil and filter every 100 hours or every season, which ever comes first. This simple piece of maintenance is often overlooked because it is not quite as easy as changing the oil in your automobile. Following is a step-by-step process which you can follow to make the chore more bearable.

Equipment Needed:
• An oil filter wrench to fit each size of spin-on filter you have
• A box of Zip-Lock baggies large enough to hold an oil filter
• A wrench the correct size for your crankcase drain plug, and a pan shallow enough to fit under your engine if possible or,
• A dipstick-tube oil drain pump and bucket big enough to hold all the oil or,
• An oil drain pump permanently fitted to your crankcase drain plug and bucket
• A roll of paper towels
• New oil filter(s)
• A supply of fresh oil as recommended by your engine manufacturer

Step-by-Step:
• Run the engine(s) until warmed to at least 130 degrees
• Drain the oil using the pump, or into the pan
• Replace the plug or close the valve
• Loosen the oil filter on the engine until it can be turned by hand
• Put a Zip Lock Baggie around the filter, and unscrew the rest of the way
• Use a paper towel to catch drips from the filter’s mounting
• Seal the zip lock baggie keeping the filter upright
• Put it into the new filter’s box
• Using your finger, wet the O-ring atop the new filter with fresh, clean oil
• Screw on the new filter until just finger-tip tight
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation as to tightening with the wrench
• Re-fill the crankcase with new oil (see your engine handbook)
• Be sure to add a quart for the filter
• Wipe up any drips
• Start the engine and let it run a few minutes
• Checking to be sure oil pressure comes up and there are no oil leaks around the filter or drain plugs
• Dispose of the oil properly at an approved disposal facility

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Cleaning Oil Spots from Your Garage/Driveway

Cleaning Oil Spots from Your Garage/DrivewayMost boat owners have to keep their vessels at home and as is such, there can be messes made due to the general maintenance that happens there. One such mess can be spilling boat motor oil everywhere. Cleaning up oil can be a pain; here are some tips that will help and make it slightly easier:

• Pour cola on the oily or dry stained areas, and leave the cola on overnight. Squirt a generous amount of dishwashing liquid into a bucket until you have a good lather. Rinse with the soapy water, then with a garden hose.

• Sprinkle baking soda or an absorbent powder such as cornmeal or sawdust on the oily spots. If the stain is dry, wet it first to make a scouring paste. Scrub with a stiff brush or push broom.

• Sprinkle automatic dishwasher detergent on the oily concrete. Leave it for several minutes, then pour boiling water on the stained area. Scrub with a stiff brush or push broom, then rinse.

• Try a commercial concrete cleaner such as Garage and Driveway Cleaner by Red Devil Co. or a grease solvent such as Benzine. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Sprinkle trisodium phosphate (TSP) on the oily concrete. If the stain is dry, wet it first. Let it stand for 30 minutes. Scrub using a stiff broom. TSP is a dangerous product; if you must use it, wear rubber or latex gloves, safety goggles and protective clothing. Also, never wash a TSP product down storm drains.

• As a last resort, combat tough spills with muriatic acid and a pressure washer. Apply the acid following the manufacturer’s directions, and let it soak for several seconds. Follow with a pressure washer set at 2,500 to 3,000 lbs. per square inch (psi), or 176 to 211 kg per square cm. Like TSP, muriatic acid is a dangerous product; likewise, if you must use it, wear rubber or latex gloves, safety goggles and protective clothing, and never wash such a product down storm drains.

• After trying any of the strategies above, sprinkle baking soda over the cleaned area to neutralize the solution you’ve used.

• Opting for professional pressure washing services offers a highly effective solution. Boat owners can rely on services like Pressure Washing Services in Tarrant Co, TX By ARP Wash to restore the pristine condition of their driveways, sidewalks, and garage floors. With specialized equipment and expertise, these services offer a powerful and efficient way to eliminate stubborn oil stains, ensuring a clean and well-maintained environment.

• However, garage door maintenance is as important, ensuring the safety and functionality of your home’s entry points is paramount. A properly installed garage door not only enhances curb appeal but also provides essential security and convenience. Whether you’re upgrading to a modern, automated system or need repairs for an existing door, professional services like Fixed my garage door ensure that every aspect of installation and maintenance is handled with precision and care. Regular maintenance by trained professionals also helps prevent unexpected breakdowns, keeping your garage door in optimal condition throughout the seasons.

• Another service at hand can help maintain the reliability of your garage door, ensuring that it continues to operate smoothly. Garage door repair services, such as those offered by experts in Garage door repair in boise, can address problems ranging from misaligned tracks to malfunctioning openers. By choosing experienced technicians, you can rest assured that every component is thoroughly checked and optimized for performance.

• Similarly, when addressing structural issues such as basement wall cracks or basement leak detection, relying on expertise becomes indispensable. These foundational concerns can jeopardize the stability and safety of your home if not promptly and correctly addressed. Professional basement crack repair experts possess the knowledge and specialized tools needed to assess and repair these vulnerabilities effectively. By entrusting these tasks to experienced professionals, homeowners can ensure that their properties remain secure, resilient, and well-maintained, safeguarding both structural integrity and peace of mind for years to come.

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Post-Trip Maintenance

Post-Trip MaintenancePurchasing premium boat motor oil isn’t the only important step to having a well running vessel. There are a few things that you can do after a trip that will help your engine running smoothly:

• After every trip, flush out the engine.

• While you’re flushing the motor, check the water pump to make sure it has good water flow. Put your finger through the stream of water; it could be warm, but not hot. If the output isn’t strong, there may be debris stuck in the outflow tube. Shut the engine down to prevent damage.

• Insert a small piece of wire into the flow tube and work it back and forth. Start the engine again and check the output. If that doesn’t help, you may need a new water pump.

• After flushing the engine, disconnect the fuel line and have the engine to burn the fuel in the carburetor.

• Take the engine cowling off and check for fuel or water leaks. If you find leaks talk to a mechanic.

• Wipe everything down and spray with an anti-corrosive like WD-40. Be sure to lubricate all the moving parts such.

• Replace the cowling and wipe it down. Cover the engine between trips.

• Always use fresh fuel.

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Stay on top with XD 50

Evinrude XD 50Evinrude’s top-quality synthetic blend for 2 cycle outboard motors is XD 50. Performance enhanced and ready for action this unique oil boasts a cleaner combustion and even reduced smoke emissions. Anyone who’s been in a smoke cloud can tell you, this is a good thing. Aside from being a synthetic blend and cleaner burning outboard motor oil XD 50 also protects against engine wear with superior lubrication.

If you’re looking for an oil that provides a high load performance and unmatched dependability then XD 50 is the formula for you. Enjoy the reduced maintenance and top performance of 2 cycle engine oil from one of the world’s leading innovators. With bulk pricing and fast delivery there’s no better time to buy.

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What’s the big deal?

Synthetic OilA lot of people don’t know exactly what sets synthetic oil apart from its counterpart. Motor oil that’s derived from the proces of turning oil into petroleum is what has traditionally been called motor oil. Synthetic oil is oil created from chemical compounds. Historically, traditional mineral oils such asd those derived from processing crude oil are not as efficient or beneficial to the use of high performance engines.

Synthetic oil offers a full host of advantages versus mineral oils and can often last much longer. As a more economical, more earth friendly product, synthetic motor oil is unmatched in terms of convenience and ease-of-use. Most people don’t need to know exactly how a 2 cycle outboard motor oil works. All they need to know is that the motor itself works. But with synthetic oils you can improved the overall performance of your outboard motor, not to mention increase oil efficiency.

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“With every trip I collect new mementos, though few are collected in scrapbooks. And those who fish for bass across the land collect them too. They are the images from first light to last and from first fish to last. And we’d share them in a minute. Some recall particular triumphs often preserved in snapshots and clippings, while others we tend to hide, at least until the time we’re ready to laugh about them. Daybreaks, canebrakes, heartbreaks, muggy nights, and foggy mornings. A hundred things that worked, and a thousand things that should have. That’s bass fishing.”

-George KramerBass

Before you head out for bass fishing, make sure you don’t get stranded. Get the right 2-cycle oil for your outboard motor!

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Keep Your Outboard Motor Tip-Top

2 Cycle Outboard MotorTaking care of your outboard motor involves a lot more than just prudent use and regular maintenance. You’ll also need a premium quality oil that helps reduce engine wear and cuts down on unnecessary emissions. Exhaust itself is notorious for polluting its own engine and causing complete failure that is not only inconvenient but also very expensive. If you can find a good deal on 2-cycle outboard motor oil then you’re halfway there.

Through the use of a good oil you can prolong the life of your outboard motor indefinitely, saving yourself the hassle and the expense of purchasing a replacement or paying for repairs. Anyone who’s had a boat motor failre at the worst possible moment can tell you, taking care of that motor is absolutely essential. In some cases lives could depend on it. So don’t get yourself caught out in the cold without an operating engine. Take care of your motor, and yourself, with professional maintenance and top-quality products.

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Recycle Oil

Recycle Motor OilWhen it’s time to replace your 2 cycle motor oil make sure you dispose of your used oil properly. Despite attempts to clean up landfills and other dumping areas motor oil continues to be a persistent problem and threat to the environment around the world. When we don’t follow proper disposal techniques we endanger wildlife and can even directly impact the helth and growth of fish in large numbers.

Simply put, if you don’t recycle your oil a lot of bad things can happen and you’ll end up with no fish, or no clean water for boating. The snowball effect from improper disposal of your oil can be catastrophic to wetlands and endangered species no matter where you live. That’s why I support and practice motor oil recycling religiously. I want my children, grandchildren and their children to be able to enjoy the same relationship with nature and wildlife that I do.

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