How to Tune an Outboard Motor: Part Three

outboard motor oilNow that we have done a thorough inspection of all of the fastenings on the lower unit, it is time to lubricate the grease fittings. The two primary parts to apply the grease to are the swivel bracket, which is the bearing the motor turns on, and the transom clamp screw. Once this is completed, work the throttle, forward-reverse shift lever and starter cord to identify the moving parts inside the power head; apply grease to all of these components.

After completing the lubrication of the moving parts, disconnect the wires from the spark plugs. It is especially important to take note of where these connections are so that you replace them correctly. Next, remove each spark plug using your adjustable wrench and replace it with one of the appropriate model. When installing the spark plugs, be sure to not over-tighten, as too much pressure can damage the cylinder head. Tomorrow we will finish the tune-up and review how to refill the outboard motor oil.

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How to Tune an Outboard Motor: Part Two

boat motor oilYesterday we went over the necessary parts and materials that you will need to tune your outboard motor. Before you begin dissembling your motor, refer to your owner’s manual for specific procedures and recommended parts or boat motor oil. As with most repairs, we are going to start with a visual inspection; ensure that the motor is off, then remove the cowling to expose the power head.

Start the propeller and examine the unit for leaks, cracks and other damage. Refer to your owner’s manual to see if it advises periodic lubricant changes; if so, remove the lower unit’s plugs and drain the fluid into your empty container. Refill the drained lubricant until it begins to seep out the top fill hole, and replace the plug. Follow this with a thorough inspection of the lower unit, checking for missing nuts or bolts and replacing worn fastenings. Tomorrow we will continue our series on outboard motor maintenance.

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How to Tune an Outboard Motor: Part One

Although we may be in the dead of winter, that doesn’t mean that you can’t spend time on your boat. In fact, winter is the perfect time to do all of the routine maintenance that you may have neglected during the boating season. As we all know, the motor is the heart of the boat, and while keeping the levels of Evinrude XD 100 oil is essential in keeping your craft in peak condition, it is also important to perform routine tune-ups.

Tuning up your boat motor only needs to be done once a year, and it takes just a few hours. Before you begin, you’ll need the following supplies:engine_fuel_pump

~Owner’s manual
~Screwdrivers
~Wrench
~Pliers
~Hammer
~Empty container
~Replacement parts, grease, oil and wax

Come back tomorrow when we’ll begin to inspect and tune-up the motor.

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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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Maintaining your outboard motor.

outboard-motor-2Most outboard motors will run fine for years with little or no attention. If you notice that your outboard motor is running at a slow speed or idle problem then you should consider getting a major tune which includes:

Removing cylinder heads to de-carbon pistons and heads
Remove and rebuild carburetors
Replace plugs
Replace thermostat(s) and water pump
Re-torque cover bolts, etc.
Check and/or reset all adjustments
Change and/or re-lube as needed

Make sure that you are using a good boat motor oil like the Yamaha 2s oil which helps to protect the life of the motor.

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Inspect Before you Buy at a Boat Auction

inspect

When you go to a boat auction it is a good idea to do a boat inspection to make sure that you know what you are bidding on. Here is a list of things to look for:

Quick walk-around – walk around the boat and check the hull, pay particular attention to the stem, chines and strakes. If there has been a collision you will see cracks there.

Shake the I/O – if you shake the I/O and it has alot of play then it might need gimbal bearings. Also check around the seals and gaskets for leaks.

Check the dipstick – check to see if the dipstick smells burned or looks milky. I could be the wrong viscosity or was never changed.

Check the wiring – bare wire and terminators that are twisted together or sealed with electrical tape are bad.

Test the fuel and oil – The gasoline sold today is 10% ethanol. This attrackts moisture which separates in the fuel tank. Water in the engine or boat motor oil is bad news. This can lead to a cracked block.

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Basic Vehicle Maintenance

maintenance

For any vehicle to run properly, it should be maintained constantly. Vehicles run down because their owners abuse them. You don’t just hop in your car and gas it up and expect it to run at peak performance, and the same thought process should extend to all of your vehicles. Here are some tips to remember to help you keep your vehicle in tip top condition.

~Wash the inside as well as the outside; gunk can build up in the engine over time.

~Have your vehicle checked periodically. Your mechanic should be able to catch any problems that may have arisen since its maiden voyage.

~Change your brake pads as soon as they start to show signs of wear and tear.

~Get an oil change. Choose high-performance Evinrude oil and recycle your old oil.

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