3 Outboard Maintenance Mistakes That Will Cost You | BoatUS

BoatUS is the nation’s largest association of recreational boaters with more than half a million Members. We provide a diverse offering of services including marine insurance, on-the-water towing provided by TowBoatUS, the nation’s largest fleet, plus boat financing, graphics and lettering, representation for boaters on Capitol Hill, the award-winning BoatUS Magazine and much more. For more than 50 years, BoatUS has made boating safer, more affordable and more accessible.


🚩Connect with us:
#boatus #outboard #boatmaintenance

[seemoretoys]

Marine grade oil? Use oil that meet the manufacture's API SEA spec and all will be well.

[sailfishjanani]

Agree with 2 of three comments but at the factory many manufacturers (Suzuki included) run the motors at idle with water supplied through the flush port

[boashna]

ok I checked the service book on Suzuki and have a long answer --says 4 stroke motor oil
• NMMA FC-W classification:
SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM.
or API classification:
SG, SH, SJ, SL, SM.
• Viscosity rating:
NMMA FC-W 10W-40 or SAE 10W-40
the word 4 stroke is to make sure you dont use it as 2stroke oil no need to buy special oil saying boat oil
here is some more info clipped from web
RAY: No, you don't need to be concerned, Dave. The letter combinations are performance ratings from the American Petroleum Institute, or API. When your van was manufactured, the top-of-the-line motor oil was rated SG, so that's what Ford called for.
TOM: Well, since then, oils have continued to improve. They now last longer, lubricate better and hold more contaminants in suspension. And as oils have gotten better, they've been given higher designations. SH replaced SG in the top spot. Then came SI, SJ, SK and SL.
RAY: And now the best-performing oil is SM.
TOM: So, since your vehicle calls for SG or better, your engine can run on anything from SG through SM.
RAY: By the way, oil designations that start with the letter S are for gasoline engines, and those that start with C are for diesel engines

[-old-Forthischet]

I follow the dealer's recommendations where I bought my new outboard motor. Of course, it's a two stroke direct injection model which is a little different.

[Pippinm]

Topic suggestion:buying an older boat and putting a newer outboard on it. Costs vs Benefits

[christas.]

Right on. You wouldn't outboard oil in your car engine....then why would you put automotive oil in your outboard? Outboard oil has different oil classifications, and has much higher levels of Zinc anti wear additive than automotive oils.

[brucesmith]

New topic suggestion...….How do you fog a four stroke, fuel injected outboard to get it ready for storage when you don't have a removable fuel line with like a portable type gas tank?

[jonstarnes]

Mercury motors specifically state in the manual to run the engine at idle during the flush operation using the flush port to open the cooling bypasses.

[hossrod]

The manual for my 2001 mercury four stroke 75 says to start and run the engine when using the flush port.

[doolittlegeorge]

I think the number one maintenance issue is not using a professional mechanic. I would never own a boat that I could also use as a poling platform for example. There is no such thing as a "mechanically sound engine" nor a warranty that can't be voided. "It's better to be the driver than the Trucking Company" by way of example and in fact I rarely see boats period these days which is why I love boating..

[strada_]

Question:
Do you have to flush the motor every time after use??

[takayama]

I still like two cycle engines more than four cycle. Actually, I wish they’d make an electric outboard! Forget HP, it just needs to push a 21’ bass boat up to 80 mph easily and go more than a full pro fisherman’s day on a charge! No oil, gasoline, etc! Just a heap of batteries I reckon.

[southerngs]

Commenters have already raked this poor guy over the coals but I have something more. Don't use a deck brush to clean your outboard motor housing? Who in the world would ever do that anyway? I use the same soft bristle brush with soapy water that I use on the rest of the boat. It's all fiberglass. You don't need a microfiber cloth for gosh sake -- clean it and wax it like you do the rest of your boat. But a deck brush? Please!

[Tsgraphix]

Mistake #4. Don't wipe your ass with Poison Ivy.

[robertdurgin]

I have always been told to flush the motors trimmed all the way down...?

[jackalcat]

I am confused too about the flush port. My Mercury 4 stroke has this port and I thought that to start the engine while not in the water that it is okay to run water through it....can someone clarify? I can understand using the port to just flush the engine after use, but what about just running water through it to start the engine periodically?

[johnlumpkin]

The worse mistake I made on my new OMC 250 hp, 2 cycle was to think that the automatic oil injector was actually injecting enough oil into the cylinders so that it wouldn't blow up 29 miles out in the Gulf two weeks after the warranty expired. Fooled me!

[sandchar]

Automotive oil have rust inhibitors and additives for sheer strength. You just need to know what you're buying

[brandonmurphy]

I run mobil 1 automotive oil in my honda

[fishinfool]

I love my suzuki i treat it almost better than my old lady lol