3 Stupid Ways to Kill an Outboard Engine
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- Wait! Stop! NOOOOOOOO! Better listen up, as boats.com Senior Editor, Lenny Rudow, fills you in on three stupid ways to kill an outboard engine. Don't do one of these three stupid things, or your outboard engine will leave you sitting at the dock.
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I’m a brand new 1st time boat owner. I’ve been out 3 times. I’m always looking for these kinds of tips. Thank you so much!
As a boat owner for many years, I appreciate the tips. Never hurts to be reminded. Excellent video.
This is a great youtube channel. I have been a boating for 30 yrs and I still learn new things by watching these videos.
New boat owner here. Just Saved me big bucks! Good vid, thanks!
Step number 4. Don't put gas with ethanol in it in the first place
Only there are places where you cannot get non-ethanol fuel. So it helps to know a good product to counteract the ethanol. In the mid west like the Great Lakes, folks use Startron. I have used it, and it works.
Well, to be fair, ethanol helps with your emissions.
@@orppranator5230 no one really cares about emissions
+Orppranator
The use of 10% ethanol causes a 15% decrease in fuel mileage. I have proven this many times over the years with many different vehicles, so therefore you burn 5% more actual gasoline to travel the same distance.
Would somebody please explain to me how that helps with emishions?
( Crickets chirping)
That's what I thought. Crickets is all you will ever hear on that subject because ethanol is just another scam pulled on the American consumers.
Look it up yourself before its scrubbed from the internet.
Try the test yourself with your own vehicle.
I know most people won't because they can't figure out how to calculate there own fuel mileage.
Orppranator wrong you burn more so you create more emissions
New to sailing but am mechanically inclined, and I didn't even consider these three things! Thanks a ton, will take care of my outboard!
These are so helpful. Thank you very much!
Not starting out of the water is good advice. For those of you who do it, you are damaging your impeller a little bit at a time. Don't kid yourself. It only takes a few seconds.
I use nothing but non-ethanol and don't use any additives. Haven't had any issues for about 10 years.
Add one more... Not warming it up properly before you go full throttle. I see guys doing it all the time. The motor needs time to properly heat up before you hit warp speed.
DIY Boats absolutely
Geeze tell me about it! How many times do I see this and it gets under my skin? Let me count the ways!
DIY Boats that only 2 strokes
Yeah I've made this mistake a shit ton of times. Recently I started this stupid habit of starting the boat and then directly full throttling that mf. I stopped now though.
I'm just fine with my 2 stroke
Good video. I would add one of the most common ways to mess things up. When shifting between forward and reverse or vise versa, allow a little time before going from the neutral position to either forward or reverse to allow the prop to stop spinning before engaging the opposite gear.
Thanks for the advise:)
Thanks for the tips!
You forgot another very important tip, of people revving the piss out of the motor with a garden hose attached, in neutral, if that motor has a "runaway" you will watch it hand grenade until it's locks up tighter than a banjo string. A water hose also has to be a proper diameter for enough water, just because the water is trickling from the peehole does NOT mean it has enough water..
GREAT VIDEO VERY EDUCATIONAL
Awesome presenter. One of the view boating channels that doesn't have any major flaws in their video production. Subbed!
Good help ...thankyou
Phase separation only occurs when there's enough water in the gas tank tank (around .5% by volume) to fall out of solution and stabilizer will not prevent or cure it. A short dry start (couple seconds) does not wreck the pump, allowing it to run and heat up the impeller can destroy it and the pump housing. I've seen people start their engine at the top of the ramp then back down with it running, that is a horrible idea for many reasons and likely to kill it. Shifting with the engine off is a bad idea, but if there's no abnormal resistance in the shifter it's unlikely to cause any problems. There's rarely a reason to do it so don't if you don't have to.
My Merc manual says I should put the shifter in reverse while towing it. Then I have to go back to neutral to start it. It seems some shifting with the motor off is unavoidable. I guess really this advice is for Junior no to play with the shifter?
And this is why I said there's rarely a reason and not "never do it". I've seen people, sometimes kids, playing with the shifter. When you do need to shift it stop if you feel abnormal resistance, rotate the prop or engine 'till it goes into gear easily.
Something else he didn't touch on that I think is important is engine warm-up. Some people start up and just go hammer on it, not good.
If you have an older outboard don't forget to mix the oil in the gas..maximum carnage!
Applies only to 2-stroke engines (technically, engines with a two-stoke cycle).
Why wouldn't go with premium? Because is expensive? When you pay few tens of thousands for a boat, you wouldn't go cheap with the gas, would you?
I remember one time I was at the sandbar and this lady had her outboard trimmed up. She fires it up and her husband was pushing it back into the water. Engine probably ran a good 45 seconds before she lowered it. The whole time I'm cringing and my fiancé asks what's wrong. I just said nothing at all those are the people that keep my business up and running lol
#4. Shifting fast down to low speed from high or all the way to neutral.
#5. Shifting to reverse while at speed.
#6. Not flushing the motor after use.
Good stuff ty
# 4 , that is my problem. Thank you.
is seafoam a good source of stabilizer or should I got with startron or quicksilver? just curious on any differences.
Hey Nick - Seafoam has a good rep and should work fine for you. However, yes, there are differences between each stabilizer and Seafoam does have slightly different effects than the other brands you mention. So if you're unsure as to which you really need to use read up on each before making a decision. You can learn more by reading what our Outboard Expert Charles Plueddeman has to say on the topic, starting with his Ethanol Fuel and E15 Update.
www.boats.com/how-to/the-outboard-expert-ethanol-fuel-and-e15-update/
Not flushing the bloody thing will kill it quick. Do this job as soon as possible after exiting the salt water. Had experience, in the 80s we had mercury, two 115s and a 135 the biggest at the time. Total unreliability, dropped reed valve, blown bottom ends, blown stater rings and finally exploded water jackets. Buy a Yamaha, do your maintenance, job done, total reliability! Having owned 22 Yamaha's, I'm a Yamaha freak now
I own a FXHO waverunner 2006, runs like a swiss watch, still!
Never, never put ethanol in an outboard!!!!!!
In my area stainless steel props are the number one cause of broken lower units and so we run aluminum props because the prop should be the sacrificial part, not the lower unit.
MinnesotaEric why do they damage lower units?
Shouldn't the inner rubber hub in a prop be the sacrificial part?
In my area no one runs aluminum props on anything over a 90-115hp
If you hit something solid at high enough RPM an aluminum prop won’t save your lower unit.
Aluminum props are useful for duck hunters and people who idle through waters with lots of stumps and rocks. If you hit something at idle or under let’s say… 2000 RPM with an aluminum prop…. It will likely not damage your lower unit. But at high speeds a solid hit with any prop will wreck your lower unit.
Alternatively, if you hit something really solid with a stainless prop even at slow speeds there is potential to damage the lower unit.
The gas docks in marinas pump non ethanol gas so we're good right?
So what about a 35 merc that can only be tipped up and lowered if it's in F but needs to be back in N to start?
I’m wondering if it’s ok to keep you outboard tilted up for the season if you don’t run the boat or should it be stored In running position?
I tilt mine a little bit forward. It keeps the fuel /oil mix off of the plugs making it easier to start. Best thing to do, unless it's impractical, is to start it up and run it once a week if you're not using it. A lot of people will let it sit for a month and then take it out and run it wide open all day long. What would a car do if you did that. The only thing I can think of that might suffer if you leave it full up for long periods would be if the weight is being held up by the hydraulic cylinders.
I personally use regular fuel, and never used any additive or fuel stabilizer , the trick is never fill the tanks to the top, only put the fuel you will use, my boat have a 75 gal tank I keep it to the half, normally add 10 , 15 gal every week this way I keep the fuel always fresh , and of course use a good water separator ,and change it every year
Well cable driven throttles when you remove the lower unit for maintenance eg impeller u should put it in a gear before removal to help u realign the splines of the driveshaft to the motor when re-attaching, also for resistance adjustments on the throttle control box you need to test it but no you dont want to play with it too much
I've been around boats all my life. I've never heard anybody say anything about shifting while not running. You're right, several maintenance procedures require putting it in and out of gear. Unless there is something wrong with it in the first place I don't think that hurts it. When you install new control cables you want to find out if you have a problem before you start it seems to me.
Do you really need to add a stablizer on every fill up? Or add it if it sits longer than two weeks??
If you use ethanol free fuel, do you still recommend the stabilizer?
Not necessary but if it was me I’d still throw a little seafoam or something in there just in case. If you don’t let the motor sit for any amount of time like over a month or so then you’d be fine to not put anything in it but it’s just when you let it sit. Also running all of the fuel out of the motor before you store it will help keep everything from getting gunked up.
My shift cable went out of adjustment with the motor running on muffs. What causes that?
what if i shot it with my 357 mag would it kill it?
no
I tried that and yes
You left out " dropping anything in the water (water catch bags, socks, etc. ) to slow your main engine down for trolling etc will strain & ruin your main unit, ---How can you NOT make that an issue. ? ? Cheers
Thank you
If I do have to let it sit a couple of months, what should I do? I have marine gas, but I don't want the carburetor to get gunked if from it sitting
Never heard the shifting while not running thing, not gonna argue it but what probably kills more gear cases than anything else is having the idle set too high to avoid stalling. If you can't tune it up (no shame there) take it in once a year and get it done. You'll save yourself a lot of headaches.
Do I still need fuel stablizer if I have a four stroke and use low ethanol gas?
No, i've never used it and my engine is running fine
If you have a four stroke your OK for the most part stabilizer is really only good for long term storage
Thanks for the awesome video. Question, I have a 1995 Mercury black max 150. Whenever I take it out on the water I see oil coming from the back of the boat. I checked the motor and saw no leaks. I put the motor in a tub of water and run it and the gets oil in it. I thinks it's coming from the exhaust. Is there a oil gasket in the lower unit that needs to be changed? Thanks for your help.
+Curtis Reid Hi Curtis - since it's an old-tech two-stroke (with oil mixed in the fuel), yes, this is most likely coming from the exhaust. Most outboards of this vintage leave a slight sheen on the water when they run. If there are no other indications of a problem, I wouldn't worry about this one bit.
I felt scolded by you sir ,cause I do all that crap to my boat, I'm getting fuel stabiliser first thing in the morning
Ummm..... I bought an old Chrysler 75hp outboard and kind of shifted it with the engine off to make sure everything was working correctly and turning the propeller to see if it was in neutral when it was supposed to be etc... and I’m kind of baffled on how that would hurt it. Maybe starting it in gear and the dog teeth aren’t fully engaged essentially wearing them out I could see how it’s bad, but I seriously doubt you’ll hurt it keeping the engine off just to see if the gearbox is functioning correctly before you hit the lake, right?
When my motor doesn't start I just give it a good whacking with a hammer.
Actually that works if it is the starter just tap it.
"when in doubt, give it a clout"
Lol
the jeremy clarkson way
If that doesn't work after a few hits get a bigger hammer
My dad's got a 1946 Johnson TD-20 5 horse outboard engine that he'd abandoned 45 years ago. We had gotten an aluminum row boat that's perfect for it. I got to work on the engine late summer of 2015 and realized the carburetor gasket is bad and a small rod in the magneto is damaged. As soon as those two are replaced and the gear case oil is changed, she's ready for a test fire, though, my dad doubts the water pump will work. I still have a lot of hope that this summer, it's 70 year birthday, it WILL run without my dad's help!
What's all this about ethanol and stabilisers? I just put unleaded petrol in.
I bought my first used ranger here in ohio. Do you recomend draining fuel tanks or topping them off and add stabilizer for our harsh winters?
Hi mays9185. Leaving the tank empty opens up the possibility of condensation creating water in the tank, so filling the tank and adding stabilizer is the best move.
Drain tanks clean them good then refuel with non ethanol and stabil
I keep my boat in a marina, so I never see it out of the water. They only sell ethanol free gas, and I have digital controls. No worries.
not only will it cook your motor but will stuff the water seal under the pump and let water into the gearbox to
super unleaded does not contain alcohol ; use that at the end of the season.
What if you fill up with gas that has no alcohol
Sadly, it's getting hard to find 100% gas. Fortunately there are a few stations that sell it near me but it's more expensive but it's worth it.
WasDannyHere305 athonal m8
WasDannyHere305 very good idea my son have no fuel issues but is more money but worth every penny my boat sat six months no problems I run a 08 300 etec never had a problem running rec 90 since I bought the boat JT 🐟🇺🇸🎣⛱🌴🛥😊😃
you don't have to add a stabilizer if you are going to use the fuel right away. I guess if you have a giant fuel tank on your boat
Lemme guess before viewing or reading the full description:
1) Running it out of the water without using a hose to run water into its intake.
2) Not adding enough oil (mainly applies to older outboards).
3) Using fuel with ethanol and not disconnecting the hose to let the gas in the carb run out at the end of an outing.
What about to much prop, what about overrevving, what about transom placement, etc
Worst thing is putting a stainless steel prop if you're a fresh water fishermen. Sure the prop is strong but everything else will break before the prop lol
Most don't put stainless just for toughness. Performance is the main reason for me.
what if get no ethanol from wawa that would solve stupid #3
good tips novices do all thoses things that ethonol was dybunked though if ut does any damage its in storage but a gree if possible just get ethanol free gas and save your self the hassle besides it cost the same at least here in miami.
LARRY YOU da MAN
We use ethanol free gas.
agreed sir
I don’t put fuel stabilizer and I have the same engine still. No problems
use premium grade fuel, i havn"t had any issues for 3 years now. 2 - 4stroke motors
I also think you get a little better performance with premium
What's a good stabilizer to use? Thanks
+rockynymia I believe there are many good stabilizers out there, but I know from experience that Star Tron works extremely well.
how long you can you motor to not damage the pump Whit no water
A few seconds probably wont hurt it but it is strongly recommended to never do this
All depends on how dry the housing is.
U have to do it a bunch of times for a few minutes at the very least, just starting the motor 5 seconds before it gets dropped in launch won’t do shit
don't forget basic maintenance
You forgot what my grandpa did. He forgot to do a break in cause he doesn’t care lol he puts it in and just hammers it. He’s got money to spend eeee
How about a boat has never been running for the past 6 years. Can you run a motor doing that
Always use a cheap $2 can of starting fluid to spray your intake down before start up!!!!!!😂
Don’t forget to close the gas cap unless you want water in your gas tank
Yes because I do all this while my boat sits up
Man that modern day ges
One you forgot to mention is when people turn off their engine when it's still in gear. I do it occasionally when I'm focused on trying to leave the dock. But I also have a tiller handle motor
I killed one when I tried going from manual to forward while going😂
Mercury Mariners good motors?
Only if they are the ones made by Yamaha.
Good luck finding out which ones were made by Yamaha it seems to be top secret information.
Maybe pull the cowel and look for the words Made In Japan.
Haha, we used to say, "If its white it might ,if its gray it may,but if its black it'll get you back." Not really applicable to todays great outboards. We might say "Silver will deliver." haha.
Ya, sorry, no goofy rhymes ;) Mariners are/were very good motors--- The 115 Mariner (with the slim body was/is ? a classic. Not sure if they still make them. Had one for 20 years before I sold the boat. Never had a problem.
@@paulcoenen7918 Only if made by Yamaha ? --- & you wonder why people are just tired of social media. Cheers
I wish you would have said gas only last 2 weeks i would have clicked next right at that point but you save it till the end .
Rob Rossi lmfao
Don't forget to remove the earmuffs after an engine flush. I just cooked mine today by doing that. Thankfully I didn't pay much for the boat and trailer, but still a shame. Giving myself an uppercut now.
Well damn man, that was beyond stupid, I'm sorry, but why are you even mentioning this ?
@@slydawwg Because I know a lot of people that have made this beyond stupid mistake, I take it you've never made a mistake in your life there bud?
I use ethanol free gas, do I still need a stabilizor?
That depends on how often you use your boat, and how careful you want to be. Water getting into the fuel supply is an age-old problem, it's just exacerbated with ethanol. But generally speaking, if you use your boat less than once or twice in a month, the safe move is to use it.
No
so, you CAN fill it up with gas containing 10% ethanol, as long as you used a stabilizer?
Correct!
lF YOU COULDN'T.......THERE WOULD BE VERY FEW, lF ANY, PLACES TO BUY GAS. HARDLY ANY GAS lN AMERlCA THESE DAYS lS "ETHANOL FREE". THE MANUFACTURERS OF OUTBOARDS REALlZE THlS, SO THEY BUlLD & TUNE THElR MOTORS ACCORDlNGLY........BUT YOU MUST USE STABlLlZER AS THE MAN SAlD.
Or just spend the difference on rec90
Dry starting is not that bad, u should not do it for to long because it can heat up.
Run marine gas!!!! Never ethanol ruins hoses and motor
I shift them in and out of gear often while the engine isn't running, with no ill effects. The factory service procedure for priming an Mercury EFI oiling system commits this same heinous crime.
"take it out and use it" moto of a cerial flasher 🤣
Improper oil..?
All good advise after all that .....use it run it a sitting boat is no good
90 fuel ethanol free says on the pump "up to 5% ethanol" 🤯
Depend on we’re you go
thanks
Why putting stabilizer if you can install fuel separator?? Then you don't have to worry about water in the fuel..
Too much water can clog the filter
I dont know what kind of gasolines you have in the US, here in Finland we got 95octane up to 10% ethanol blend and 98 octane up to 5% ethanol blends as our primary fuels.
I have been using the 98 octane (or Shells V-power, which is around 99octanes) on my engine, has been running just fine, even though the Yamaha is as old as I am
Jesse Pylväläinen We rate our octane as (RON + MON)/2 so straight across comparisons with your fuel are difficult.
Andrew Spang Thanks for the answer, just feels a bit silly to use some stabilizer on your engine
Agreed. Ive used ethanol gas for 10 years straight in my boat and have never had one issue. My tank is usually about empty when I get back to the boat ramp though, It doesnt sit too long! LOL
sorted last problem first and told my boss to stick job up his arse! now to go buy a boat... hmmmm.
If it's a E TEC it commits suicide when you turn the key 😂😂😂😂
So true. They need to cover that in their infomercials.
at 1:28. "...when it CLUNKS in place...". My least favorite feature of Mercruisers. Clunky when shifting, in this day and age. Shameful.
This is a little dramatic. If you have run the boat within the last few weeks even, there is still some water left in the water pump and water tube, you won't burn up the impeller if you only run the motor a few seconds. I like to start my motor in the parking lot before backing down the ramp, just to make sure I'm not stuck on the ramp, blocking access trying to start my motor. Also, you are not going to hurt anything shifting the motor with it off, I've rebuilt lower units, I know how the shift cam,gear dogs, etc work. As far as the ethanol comments goes, 2 weeks sounds crazy, 2 months maybe.
+Stephen Spann totally agree with you stephen . my 130 yammy got started dry before hittin the ramp for the same reason you stated ( only for about 15 secs or so tho ) and I had that beautiful motor for 6 years ( from new ) and only ever replaced the impeller once..... and it use to piss like a race horse from the tell tale.
And anyway thats why engine have thermostats, to stop water circulating until they warm.
And this dude didnt even mention to check that your motor is pumpin water everytime you start it before moving off. Biggest killer of outboards is no water.
Some people will talk any dribble to get on youtube. This guy needs to stay away from boats. hahahahaha
Absolutely agree
Your wrong buddy. You really shouldnt do that. Well at least of you are going to do it replace your impellers more often.
thats not correct, if you have a outboard there is not going to be any water at the water pump or pick up tube , it ony take 10 second to damage the impeller
What you could do is pull your boat off the trailer to a dock next to the ramp using ropes, (I would be suprised if there isn't one going down at least one side of the ramp) tie your boat to the cleats on that dock, and then start your motor there.
i recognize that prop, all shiny, but mine says Honda ;)NOMNOM
I'll agree with No.1, but the others, no.
If you don't apply excessive pressure when shifting you will not put excessive strain on any cables.
Ethanol; oh if only someone could invent something that would agitate the fuel and mix the stuff when the boats running.
Like a series of bumps under the boat that would shake the whole thing and the fuel along with it.
Almost like waves, but free and widely available.
Wait, are waves pretty pricey?
Also, those stabilizers don't prevent phase separation like they claim.
Fuel stabilizers don't work. See the project Farm CZcams video. Just don't put ethanol fuels in your boat ever.
But, but, king Obama said ethanol is good.......does this mean he lied to us???
Nut case !
No not at all look it up, (or are you capable of that snowflake?) HE SIGNED A HUGE RENEWABLE FUELS ACT THAT NEEDS REPEALED. I am truly sorry you are that uneducated. I will say this though as hillary cunton said it takes a village....to raise a new generation of village idiots.....
+Curtis C
Obama gets the blame for many things as he should but I believe it was George W who unleashed the ethanol scam on American consumers.
10% ethanol = 15% less mileage.
America voted in a muslim what did America expect? the truth?
Not if u have none athonal gas
Yes even with non ethanol gas!!!!
Gas starts getting bad after one week, it causes varnish to build up in the carbs causing problems like poor starting and idling.
Motor problem s are expensive Stabilizers are cheap.
Just use it.
wow great acting
I get turned on by revving the shit out of my engines that should be number 4 though hahaha
i start my motor at the ramp and then shut it off right away, way before it would spit out water out of the pisser, this way i know itll fire up in the water. good tips though
as soon as your crank turns the impeller turns. If it's dry it will deteriorate due to friction...
Onec you've put in your plugs and removed your rear straps back up far enough that your lower unit is submerged, then it will be safe to check start before launching. But hey, its your money not mine.
Boat repair shops love this guy....