Mercruiser owners - reminder

[dvan1901]

I recently had my boat winterized and went to check on it today and pull some things out of it. I was looking around at the other boats and noticed that they all had their drives in the up position. I thought I had remembered reading in the manual that they should be stored in the down position for long term storage so the bellows don't "set" and then fail in the spring. So, just a little reminder to store them in the down position.

 

[Deanrw3]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

Do they sit all the way down? Mine wont sit all the way down with out hitting the floor? Where do you leave yours, just above the ground, or sitting on the ground?


thanks
dean

 

[QC]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

Dean,

Just leave it as far down as you can. Also, if your boat is stored completely out of the weather, you can lower the front of the trailer to give more clearance at the stern. If it is accessible (at home), the best thing to do is give the bellows and battery a little workout once in a while by running it up and down. The bellows can "set" in the down position too . . .

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

Do they sit all the way down? Mine wont sit all the way down with out hitting the floor? Where do you leave yours, just above the ground, or sitting on the ground?


thanks
dean

My boat sits high enough on the trailer that I can lower it all the way down and still have a few inches of clearance.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

If the bellows have become hard enough to "set", then it is time to replace them.....
The reason for storing with the drive down is to insure that water does not sit in the exhaust cavity & freeze, potentially damaging the drive.....​

 

[JustJason]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

always store down was to what Haut medoc says. Depending on my customers boats I keep a bunch of 2X8's in my truck and i'll place them under the trailers wheels to raise it that extra couple of inches to get the drive to sit right.

 

[blouderback]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

I awlays squirt a little Armour-All on the bellows, too.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

If the bellows have become hard enough to "set", then it is time to replace them.....
The reason for storing with the drive down is to insure that water does not sit in the exhaust cavity & freeze, potentially damaging the drive.....​

I agree with your point about water getting in, but this is right out of the manual "Sterndive unit should be stored in the full DOWN position. Universal joint belows may develop a 'set' if unit is stored in raised position and may fail when unit is returned to service."

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

I awlays squirt a little Armour-All on the bellows, too.

I would caution against that!!! Just my personal opinion..Puts a nice shine but I have heard stories where it dries things out.

 

[hadvisor]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

Definately stay away from silicone based products like Armor all.
A better bet would be 303 spray - one of the best products to keep on the boat IMHO.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

Definately stay away from silicone based products like Armor all.
A better bet would be 303 spray - one of the best products to keep on the boat IMHO.

+1 for the UV protection

 

[Shaun78]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

I spray everything with WD40

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

Even the bellows?

 

[Rusty Boater]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

I stack 4x4's under my trailer for the winter and it serves three purposes

1. the drive will go all the way down
2. Keeps the tires from flat spotting
3. Repack the hubs during the winter

 

[Wotam]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

>"A better bet would be 303 spray - one of the best products to keep on the boat IMHO"

Second that opinion here.

 

[rocky100]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

Where do you get 303 spray, anyway?

 

[mkast]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

"www.303products.com"
I'd paste it but a got yelled at for posting a link.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

"www.303products.com"
I'd paste it but a got yelled at for posting a link.

Just link to the Iboats page. That way everybody's happy.
http://www.iboats.com/Marine_Store/dm/keywords.303
For rubber & vinyl, use the Aerospace protectant.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Mercruiser owners - reminder

I would caution against that!!! Just my personal opinion..Puts a nice shine but I have heard stories where it dries things out.

Look at the content's on the can, if they still use silicone.....indeed it can leach out the mositure content of the material..