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    Getting Grease Nipple Off Fitting

    Can anyone tell me a graceful way to get a grease gun nipple on the end of a flexible hose to release from a grease fitting? It just seems to me to take an inordinate amount of effort to get the nipple to release. Is there a nipple available that has a release mechanism similar to the one on...
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    Exhaust Manifold Temps

    Engine: Mercruiser 228R Serial #6726322 This engine is installed in a 1984 Sea Ray 210SRV. It has 690 hours. The exhaust manifolds were replaced in 2006 with non-OEM parts right before I bought the boat. I replaced the thermostat last fall with an OEM part set to 142 degrees. The impeller...
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    Flojet 4405-143 Housewater Pump Noisy/Low Flow

    Last fall when I was getting ready to store my Four Winns 214 deckboat, I was pumping out the boat's eight gallon water tank in preparation for anti-freeze (pink). As I've done in the past, I turned on the water at the sink and went out to my truck to retrieve the pink while the tank was...
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    Viewing Shuttle Launch From Boat

    I photographed the very first space shuttle launch from my Mooney (single-engine airplane) back in 1981. I've photographed three others from airplanes since. Unfortunately, since 9/11 a temporary flight restriction has been put in place for each launch that prohibits flight anywhere near the...
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    House Water Pump

    My boat has an 8-gallon water tank that serves a faucet at a small sink and spray nozzles at the swim deck and bow. This water is pumped by a Flojet Quiet Quad model #4405-134. During the winterization process, I turned the water on at the sink to drain the water tank in preparation of filling...
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    Water Dripping From Hole Behind V-P Impeller Housing

    Engine: Volvo Penta 5.0 GXiB Serial #4012069514 After running engine on muffs during the winterization process, I noticed water dripping from a small hole immediately behind the impeller housing that is mounted on the front of the engine. The small hole is NOT in the housing itself, but in a...
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    Mixing Outdrive Oil Types

    I have a 2002 Volvo Penta DP-SM drive Serial #4202054335. I'm changing the drive oil as part of the winterization process. In the spring of this year, I had a local V-P authorized shop pull the drive for inspection and service. Upon draining the oil today, it has a dark blue/green color...
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    Brake Fluid Compatibility

    I just overhauled the brakes on the trailer for my 1984 Sea Ray cuddy. I used synthetic DOT 3 to refill. I also have a 2002 Four Winns trailer and I am unsure whether it has synthetic or regular DOT 3 fluid. I looked on the label of the synthetic DOT 3 fluid and did not see any restrictions...
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    Strange Can of Worms

    Getting ready to make a long trip in a 1984 Sea Ray cuddy with a buddy. We decided to replace the fuel pump on the boat's Mercruiser 228R based on its age. Bought an OEM pump from local dealer and installed it without a hitch, that is until we started the engine. The engine started, but ran...
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    Thunderbolt IV Module

    A buddy and I are preparing to make a trip from Pittsburgh to Louisville via a 1984 Sea Ray SRV210 cuddy, a trip of 600 miles. Two years ago, we took this boat from Louisville to Kentucky Lake, a trip of 340 miles. The engine has 585 hours on it. Before the trip two years ago, I changed the...
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    Exhaust Manifold Temps

    Engine: Merc 228R #6726322 installed in 1984 Sea Ray 210SRV Engine temp reads normal. How hot should exhaust manifolds get during cruise operation? Should you be able to lay a hand on them or will they be hot to the touch? Is there any published data for normal temperature range?
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    Good Hull Cleaner

    Knowing I was going to be using it frequently while my daughter was visiting, I put my Four Winns 214 deckboat in an Ohio River marina slip for seven days. I removed it today and the bottom was a MESS. Here's what I used to clean it and how I did it. The product I used was Seasense Hull...
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    Replacing V-P Ignition Parts

    I have a Volvo Penta 5.0 GXib installed in a 2002 Four Winns 214. It has about 150 hours. I bought the boat in 2007 and as far as I am able to tell, the plugs, wires, cap and rotor have never been changed. The engine starts and runs perfectly, but I'm going to replace the above ignition...
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    Installing V-P DuoProp

    When installing V-P DuoProp propellers on the prop shaft, is there any particular sequence to the blades between the two props? I can find no guidance in my manuals.
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    Preemptive Fuel Pump Change

    I have a Mercruiser 228R installed in a 1984 Sea Ray SRV210. It has 550 hours. I don't know if the engine fuel pump has ever been replaced. Should I replace the pump based only on its age? It is presently working fine and don't want to open a can of worms....
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    Transmission Oil Temp

    I have a Scangauge II to monitor my transmission oil temperature. I can find no transmission oil temperature limits published. Above what transmission oil temperature should I be concerned?
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    Electric Engine Hatch Opener

    My 2002 Fours Winns 214 Funship has an electric engine hatch opener. It operates intermittently- sometimes it works, most times not. Anyway, it was that way when I bought the boat two years ago. I just raise the engine hatch manually. I actually prefer that method. Pulling it up manually...
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    Hydrostatic Lock

    I'm familiar with the mechanics of hydrostatic lock as it relates to airplanes-- specifically, bottom cylinders on round engines filling with oil. I'm fairly new to operating I/O boat engines and want to understand the whys and hows of it on boat. Besides the mechanical failures that lead to...
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    Anchor Chain

    In another thread, someone brought up bargains to be found at the Boating section at Walmart. One item mentioned was anchor chain. The best source I know of for anchor chain is Lowe's. The Lowe's stores in my area stock anchor chain in bulk and will cut it to your specification. It's a much...
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    Backing Deck Boat

    I have a 2002 Four Winns 214 Funship deck boat with a Duo Prop drive. I'm having a hell of a time backing this boat with precise control. When I back the boat and cut the wheel to try to swing the bow around, the boat responds by translating sideways. I also have a 1984 Sea Ray 210 SRV. When I...
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