January, 2010 | Outboard Motor Oil - Part 2

Benefits of Synthetic Oil

oilchange_FullWhile the mass manufacturers of mineral oil tend to stifle this fact, the truth is that synthetic oil performs better than mineral oil in all circumstances. Whether it’s an automobile or outboard motor oil, synthetic oil has all the same properties as mineral oil, it just works better and burns cleaner. Synthetic oil has been around for decades, but has only come into the mainstream as people divert their focus to renewable sources of energy. With climate change imminent, it’s important to start switching to synthetic motor oil in all engines. It’s well known that the carbon emissions from engines contribute to the effects of climate change more than all other sources. But synthetic oil can reduce emissions by a significant amount by just using it in an engine.

Synthetic oil tends to cost a bit more than mineral oil (otherwise everyone would buy it), but it is well worth the investment. By purchasing synthetic motor oil, you are helping the environment, and your engine. Synthetic oil cleans and lubricates engines better than mineral oil, saving money on future repairs.

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ATV Valve Maintenance: Part Three

DomoEvinrudeXD100Oil

Now that we’ve removed all of the covering and disconnected the main power and fuel lines, it’s time to begin making the actual valve adjustments. With the cylinder head exposed, remove the four valve adjustment caps from the head and the two timing plugs from the left crankcase cover. Once these are removed, ensure that all of the o-rings are intact so that none of your Evinrude XD 100 oil can leak in. Before going any further, ensure that the transmission is in neutral.

Rotate the motor counterclockwise while watching the intake valves. When the valves begin to close, take note of timing window and rotate until the “T’ aligns with the notch; if this is done correctly, there should be some range of motion in all of the rocker arms. The last adjustment is the clearance; place your feeler gauge between the rocker arms and tighten the lock nut-the exhaust valves should have .005 inches of clearance, and the intakes should have .004. With the valve adjustments complete, you can now begin the process of replacing all of the removed parts.

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ATV Valve Maintenance: Part Two

outboard motor oilYesterday we reviewed the importance of performing routine ATV maintenance, such as checking the outboard motor oil and performing minor tune-ups. One relatively simple task that most people can do on their own is valve adjustments. (Refer to yesterday’s post for a complete list of all of the tools that you will need.) The first step is to remove the rear fender seat assembly and unhook the negative connection of the battery to prevent accidental starting. Next, remove the front plastic and fenders-also be sure to disconnect the wiring for the headlights and ignition.

The last thing that needs to be removed is the fuel tank. After turning off the fuel valve and disconnecting the fuel line, remove the fuel tank heat protector. During this process, be sure to note where the connection points, as well as the placement of all of the parts that you remove. Now that all of the covering and fuel lines have been disconnected, it is time to adjust the valves-but that will have to wait until tomorrow.

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ATV Valve Maintenance: Part One

yamalube

While most people don’t have the knowhow to completely rebuild their ATV engine, it is important to have awareness of some of the basic components and tune-ups of your vehicle. Understanding how to make minor adjustments and change vital fluids, like your Yamalube oil, can extend the life of your vehicle and improve performance. Valve adjustments are some of the most basic maintenance tasks and can be done with just a few simple tools:

~Socket wrenches and several rackets with extensions
~Combination wrenches
~Allen wrenches
~Screwdrivers
~Feeler gauges
~Safety equipment

Before you start, it is important that you have a clean and open work space; it is also a good idea to clean the vehicle and degrease the motor. Tomorrow we will delve into the actual repairs.

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The Great Outdoors in Calgary

Canada154Calgary, Alberta is one of the most beautiful locations in the world. While in the city you have all the amenities you would come to expect from an urban metropolis, on the outskirts you have gorgeous properties situated in the wilderness. Calgary is a unique area because it enjoys hot summers and cold winters. In the summer the temperature can reach beyond 100 F, and during the winter the temperature often dips below 0 F.

You will also find that Calgary receives a lot of snow each year, making it a great place for all kinds of winter activities. Every Christmas my family and I take a trip to my parents’ house in the middle of the Calgary wilderness. They have a good deal of land, and my dad keeps several snowmobiles on the premises. Since he is getting on in years, he doesn’t have the opportunity to go out much or maintain the vehicles. Every year my son and I do some basic maintenance on the vehicles, including minor tune-ups and replacing the Evinrude XD100 oil.

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Routine Boat Maintenance

COOLANTAs all boat owners will tell you, keeping your watercraft in optimal condition is vital to maintaining performance and resale value. Many people find it necessary to bring their boat to a mechanic every time it needs a tune up, but most of the basic adjustments can be made in just a few minutes. Learning a few of the fundamentals of basic boat maintenance will save you time and money in the long run.

One of the most important, and basic, aspects of boat maintenance is ensuring proper fluid levels; this means keeping a close eye on your transmission fluid, outboard motor oil and, of course, gasoline. Another crucial element to boat maintenance is keeping your engine clean. Flushing the engine periodically will prevent buildup and keep your boat running smoothly.

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