Shopping For Oil?

oil_barrelsAll oils are not created equal. When you’re shopping for new outboard motor oil, you’ll want to make sure it has extended drain capabilities in order to reduce your motor oil expenses. Other beneficial aspects of motor oil may be that it controls soot thickening and oxidation or that it is specifically designed for high-mileage motors.

You should also consider buying your motor oil in bulk. As with anything in life, buying in bulk can reduce the time and money you spend in shopping for motor oil. Especially if you’re a mechanic or own several vehicles with outboard motors, you’ll love the convenience that buying oil in bulk offers.

Did you like this? Share it:

Raising Public Awareness

oil-spillThe majority of human-induced oil pollution occurs on dry land, although maritime spills gain most of the notoriety. For instance, many people are familiar with the Exxon Valdez crude oil spill of 1989. This occurred when an oil tanker made contact with a coral reef in the Gulf of Alaska and unloaded about 11 million gallons of oil into the water. The environmental effects of the oil spill were disastrous, and many species of wildlife were adversely affected.

Despite the overwhelmingly negative impact of this disaster, it at least brought public awareness to the dangers inherent to petrol spills. Back on land, many large industrial operations have created contingency plans for what to do when an oil spill occurs. Many such businesses rely on the Spillpro as a trusted tool in the fight to clean up harmful contaminants. While changing your Evinrude XD100 oil doesn’t pose a threat of this magnitude, it is still important to make sure that you dispose of your used motor oil properly.

Did you like this? Share it:

Tips for Cleaning a Boat

deck-cleaning

Here are some easy tips to consider when you’re cleaning your boat:

Wash frequently with a sponge or nonabrasive pad and plain water; this approach is very effective at removing salt. Additional “elbow-grease” is required to remove stains.

When using detergents, only use soaps that are phosphate-free, biodegradable and non-toxic. Any soap should be used sparingly, because even non-toxic products can be harmful to wildlife. For example, detergents will destroy the natural oils on fish gills, limiting their ability to breathe.

Wax your boat, if appropriate. A good coat of wax prevents surface dirt from becoming ingrained. Clean teak with a mild soap and abrasive pads or bronze wool. This method is safe for the environment and better for the boat than the solvents in standard teak cleaners which tend to eat away at the wood and to damage seam compounds.

Avoid detergents that contain ammonia, sodium hypochlorite, chlorinated solvents (bleach), petroleum distillates, and lye. Once you’ve thoroughly cleaned the outside of your craft, ensure that you have appropriate levels of outboard motor oil and other essential fluids.

Did you like this? Share it:

How to Tune an Outboard Motor: Part Four

fuel_filter_autopsy_smallIf you only tune your motor once a year, you should replace the fuel filter each time to ensure optimal performance. The filter is usually at the motor cover end of the fuel pump; the location of the filter can be found in your owner’s manual. When replacing the filter, clean out any water or sediment that may have accumulated in the area.

Next, replace the engine’s cowling and apply a coat of car wax to prevent rusting and corrosion. Now mix some fuel for the motor, combining the proportions of fuel and Evinrude XD100 oil that are specified in your owner’s manual. Once the motor is mounted, start up the engine and check for water flowing from the rear of the engine; this is an indication that the water pump is working. Let the engine warm up, and then adjust the low-speed carburetor jet and take you craft out for a test run. Performing this routine maintenance will keep your boat running smoothly and save you money on costly repairs in the future.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it:

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.

Did you like this? Share it: