Tune Ups

raybo3

How often do you Tune up your boat?

skennelly

Just tuned up this spring...didn't know when PO did it.  Glad I did plugs needed it..  My previous boat I did plugs wires and cap every other year...checked them yearly.

Black_Diamond

Cap/rotor every 2 years. Plugs last a long time on mine. New plug wires 2 times in 14 years. 

JoeStang

Probably do cap, rotor, plugs on mine this year. Running perfect at 235 hours and 4 years old, but I'd  rather be preventative. Cheap insurance too, and can save hidden money if it's not 100% and using additional fuel. 

Liberty44140

Looks to me like doing a cap and rotor is a simple diy. Right?

aero3113

Liberty44140 said:

Looks to me like doing a cap and rotor is a simple diy. Right?

Yes, but make sure you only move one wire at a time to the new cap from the old one. You don't want to mess up your firing order!

randy56

as needed, no time line, plug's last a long time these days.

Handymans342

Never. RLMAO

raybo3

More answers please................ Then I have a story to tell about tune ups......

Handymans342

Can someone explain what a cap, rotor, and plugs are? LOL

Willhound

Cap for your head, rotor to clean the hair out of your nose and plugs for when the admiral snores.

raybo3

OK here goes. I thought there would have been more responses on this. Was talking about tune ups  and preventive maintenace in general with a certified Mercmarine tech and he told me that a boat should be tuned every spring. Now this was a pretty in dept conversation so I will try to make it short. With winter layups and fogging oils how it fouls plugs (even slightly). These marine engines have to run at optimum at all time and if they dont how mist gets back into the exhaust and rot out risers and manifolds faster and cause engine problems faster. It was very interesting to say the least. Now I had my boat tuned every other year and I asked him about that his answer was that that was bare bones minimum. Maybe Alwagg can chime in on the subject.........

zaverin1

This is my 3 step theory:

summer pm:

check fluids
follow gage readings 
 keep it clean and always run on ethanol free fuel.
add additives to boost octane and clean fuel system from time to time.
Fix things as they come and you will be ahead of the curve.
i end my summer by changing motor oil and oil filters. Makes it easier to warm them up and pump oil out vs spring when it's cold.

Fall:
its time to properly winterize the boat and get her ready for the lay up
engines
water system
ac
drives 
all electrical devices 
since my oil is fresh I just drain my engines and then flush them with antifreeze 
drives stay full of gear lube but I do pop the drain screw to check for water intrusion.
if that's the case then they would be drained.

spring pm:
all systems are commissioned 
fuel filters changed 
gear lube changed 
and all upgrades and upkeep is done.

tune ups:
so cap and rotor I check every year for corrosion and buildup 
if I find something I will simply clean contacts and it's good to go. Good time to check pick up sensor for same condition.
check timing at the same time when on the hose.
check belts ans belt tension.
spark plugs should be done every 3rd season on carb boats and 2 seasons on fuels. My buddy has twin 496 fuels and his plugs go to crap every 2 seasons.
spark plug wires is another item that should go years before need of replacement. Take the wire and bend it. Does it separate or do you see dry rot or cracks?  Usually good 5 years.
cap and rotor 3 years.
this is all based on run time and how hard the boat is ran.
drive gear lube should be serviced every season and greased.
bellows and boots 3-5 years depending on the condition of the water and use.
water pump every 2 years with alignment and drive being pressure tested.

people that are replace or tune every year are over doing it.
Also put damp rid inside the cabin and defrost the fridge and leave it open.
waste tank can be pumped out and the. 2 gal of pink put in same for the manual
or electrical head.

randy56

I have never used the fogging method, do not believe in it. Staybill is my method of choice. Using it in boat, lawn mowers, tiller, home/emergency generator, ect.
At winter lay up you have just changed the oil, why would you squirt a can of crap in your ready to go engine.  just sayin...... never had an issue.
 Rotor and cap are a different story, IMO every 200 hours or 2 years they should be changed. As they have some wear at that point. 
Plugs, 10 years, most cars run 100,000 + miles. a boat equivalent 10 years.
Wires, a boat engine does not put off as much heat as a car, but as cheap as they are 200 hours or 2 years with the rotor and cap. 
So I think you are right on with your thinking, 
RAIN! uggg, this is the second 3 day weekend of spring rain. 

zaverin1

I agree 
I don't fog but stable my tanks and run with it on my way to haul out.

raybo3

Any additive it the fuel can cause plugs to "foul" up and I think that was his point. Cheap insurance to keep the boat running correctly. The slightest change could cause be effects later on and for reasons that you would not think of...... Just say'n

randy56

It's not an airplane, your not going to fall out of the sky. I see some guy's over do when it comes to all that. Marine sta-bil is suppose to clean fuel system, prevent ethanol damage, enhance water removal, increase engine power, max fuel economy.  If swallowed call a physician. 

raybo3

No you wont fall out of the sky but you could break down and float for hours for help. If you dont do the proper PM it will cost you thousands in the end. Like anything preventive maintenance is important. Its better to be pro-active instead or re-active...... 

LaRea

Gotta say, I've never heard that line of reasoning for a maintenance schedule.  I'd be interested to hear more.  Is that new doctrine from Mercury?  Or is he speaking from personal experience and thinking more long-term than most owners?

And for you guys who say to use only non-ethanol gas:  I envy you.  Here in Virginia, the full-on switch to E10 is a distant memory.  We're just trying to fight off the move to E15.  

raybo3

LaRea said:

Gotta say, I've never heard that line of reasoning for a maintenance schedule.  I'd be interested to hear more.  Is that new doctrine from Mercury?  Or is he speaking from personal experience and thinking more long-term than most owners?

And for you guys who say to use only non-ethanol gas:  I envy you.  Here in Virginia, the full-on switch to E10 is a distant memory.  We're just trying to fight off the move to E15.  

LaRea the talk was interesting to say the least. I asked him if everyone else did tune ups every other year like I do (figuring I was doing good...lol) and I was shocked when he said most do it every year. I asked him why every year and he started to explain. He then showed me exhaust manifolds and said this is off a boat that was changed 5 years ago. Totally rotted. He said he asked that boat owner when was the last time you chanced plugs and did tune ups. Answer was "when I change the manifolds 5 years ago". I said holy $h!t those are only 5 years old and thats when he explained how the marine engines need to run optimum and the exhaust mist and everything else I never heard of before......... 

randy56

Interesting, salt water must play a significant role in the deterioration,  I've never had to replace exhaust manifolds . Hope I don't have too. seems like a lot of metal to be eaten up in only 5 years.

LeRea, the marina is the only place I can find non-ethanol, it's not on land anywhere, They order it just for boats, saying it cost a few cents more per gallon, All the boaters requested it, and they got it for us. Perhaps you could do the same. 

Dream_Inn

Yeah, I'm in the same 'boat' as LaRea.  Only ethanol fuel around here.  I know of one place in the southern part of the bay that is like $1 more per gallon (again, southern part of bay is like 125 miles away).  As far as plugs, it's wise to at least pull a couple to look at each year.  If they need replaced, not a big deal.

raybo3

@Alswagg do you agree about the tune-ups and other PM?