While we have outboards on the mind...

[teul2]

What basic maint. do you do on a regular basis?

I am "kinda" new to maintaining the outboard. Dad always did that stuff.

I know I need to replace my water pump impeller,spark plug, and the foot oil. Or at least check them all. But what else do you guys do an a regular or yearly basis to keep up your outboard?

[dukbum]

you bought coverd it all there! just dont let any water sit in the prop during a hard freeze...i have seen sum bust the gears and screw up everthing back there before but of course these were folks that knew nutten about putting them up for the winter! being in the boat business for a few years you see everything

[Po Monkey Lounger]

You mean there is maintenance involved on those things??? I just put gas mixed with a little oil in mine and run it like a river rat.

[stumpjumper]

If it aint broke dont fix it because something will go wrong as sure as you do anything to it

[Had Enuf]

I here you stumpjumper. Igot a 7.5 mercury i run the hell out of. Last spring i thought i would run the gas out of the motor like all my buds do. Took it out three months later and she didnt run right. 200 dollars later and abrand new cylinder she was ready. Im not saying running the gas out of the motor did this but it sure is coincidental

[Big Steve]

I bought a 4 horse Johnson in 1975 for running creeks and crap with, keep it an Army duffle bag. Other than a new plug every now and then, and several new starter ropes, it ain't seen no maintenance to speak of. Bet it would crank and run like a new one right now though!

[BAY KINGFISHER]

Good list so far....add gas treatment if you going to let sit up, and yes run it with a snorkel or at the lauch when you done, with the gas line off to get all the gas out of the motor between uses. Spark plugs yearly, or just clean, but cheap enough to replace, fuel filter yearly if you got one, fuel water sep filter yeraly if you got one, small motors dont really need to change impellas yearly unless you mud hog with it or you think it aint pissing well, lower unit oil yearly, if you got water in the crank case you got problems with a seal or something, I advise fixing before using anymore, unless you got money to replace lower units. you should never have water in the lower unit it is supposed to be sealed, if you got a battery take care of it, I disconect between uses, nothing worse than being at the launch with a dead battery, if you got steering make sure it is lubed well before you put it up for awhile and everytime you pass the boat turn the wheel just to heat up the grease, save you problems with it freezing up in the future. when mixing gas always use recommended mix 50 -1 usually, if you mix rich overtime the tank will be getting richer and richer, and will keep your plugs fouled up....and also if you have the motor sit up for awhile maybe go and crank with your snorkel every couple weeks, will also save headaches latter on, hope this helps..

[Strayshot]

Engine tuner in a can. Use once a year to keep the engine running like new, or you can use it when your engine isn't running like new and it probably will again. If you want to keep from running engine dry; try Stabil in your last tank of gas for the season will prevent the oil and gas from turning to varnish in the carb.