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  1. K

    How many years on one impeller??

    I've got a '97 Mercruiser 5.7L with an Alpha 1. I put less than 50 hours a year on my boat; all in freshwater. The last time the impeller was changed was 6 years ago. The boat runs the same temp. it always has; about 160 degrees according to the gauge. Should I replace the impeller just because...
  2. K

    Which fuel stabilizer for non-ethanol

    I'm getting ready to winterize the boat. I know I need to put a fuel stabilizer in the tank for the winter. I don't ever put ethanol gas in my boat. It looks like most of the marine fuel stabilizers talk about how great they are for treating ethanol fuel in the boat. If I remember correctly...
  3. K

    Engine compartment ventilation hose routing.

    On the back of my '97 Larson 206SEI there are 4 3" round louvered vents. Each connects to a piece of 3" flexible duct. One of them on the port side is the output from the blower. The other 3 have the duct running down to the bottom, sides of the engine. One of these hoses on the starboard side...
  4. K

    Grounding the fuel filler

    I was cleaning up the boat for the new season and noticed a green wire hanging from the underside of my fuel inlet. I assume this is supposed to be a ground wire but the other end isn't connected to anything. Should it be connected to the engine block? The negative battery terminal? Either? Does...
  5. K

    Need help on reattaching power steering cooler

    The boat is a '97 Larson 206SEI with a Mercruiser 5.7L and Alpha 1. While looking for a leak in my power steering system I discovered that my cooler isn't connected to anything for support. It just hangs by the hoses at the back of the engine. There appears to be a bracket attached to the cooler...
  6. K

    Drain the block crowd, did I do it right?

    I've always pumped antifreeze into my engine to winterize it. I've always been afraid that just draining the block might not get all the water out. It certainly doesn't do anything for draining the water passages in the outdrive including the impeller. However, I decided that since so many...
  7. K

    Where's my power steering fluid going?

    I've got a '97 Mercruiser 5.7 with an Alpha 1. It has power steering which works fine. I have to add fluid after every outing. I've probably used about 3/4 quart in 3 outings. I don't see any leaks around the pump, hoses, or fittings. I never see any oil in the bilge or any oil film in the...
  8. K

    Do greaseable hubs need to be packed?

    The hubs on my boat trailer have the grease fitting in the end of the bearing cap. I regularly pump them full of grease before towing. I don't think the bearings have ever been inspected or "packed". Is packing bearings necessary with this type of hubs or does the grease fitting cover this job...
  9. K

    What are the rules for marine VHF?

    Where can I find the FCC rules for marine VHF use? What "part" of the FCC regulations is the correct one? My main question is this: If I have a vhf in my boat and I'm out on the lake can I use the marine frequencies to communicate with someone on shore? This would most likely be my wife at our...
  10. K

    How important are new sacrafical anodes?

    I've owned my '97 Larson since 2005. I have to assume the anodes on the outdrive are the factory originals. I've heard you should replace them when they loose half their weight. I don't know how much their supposed to weigh and don't have an accurate enough scale to measure it anyway. Are they...
  11. K

    How much in and out propshaft play is acceptable??

    My boat is a '97 Larson 206SEI with a Mercruiser 5.7 and an Alpha 1. I have an aluminum 3 blade prop. I noticed while checking my prop that it moves in and out slightly when I pull on it. It's only about 1/8 inch. Is this normal? It's been that way for at least a few boating trips and everything...
  12. K

    Advice on new trailer tires

    My boat trailer has 4 ST175/80R13 tires. They are Goodyear Marathon radials. They were made in '03 so are now 9 years old. They still look great and don't leak a bit of air. I know many people say to replace tires after 3, 5, or 7 years depending on who you talk too so I guess I'm on borrowed...
  13. K

    Should I try a 4 blade prop?

    My boat is a '97 Larson 206SEI with a Mercruiser 5.7L and an Alpha 1. The prop is an aluminum 14 1/4 x 19. I've never had a spare prop but I'm thinking I should get one. I thought since I'm buying an other prop maybe I would try a 4 blade. I'm fairly happy with the current prop. It's a Flo-Torq...
  14. K

    Repair or replace trim pump solenoid?

    This weekend my '97 Alpha 1 decided it didn't want to trim up. Down works fine. When I hit the up button I can hear the solenoid click but the motor doesn't run. If you repeatedly press and release the up button eventually it will run. If I bypass the solenoid and send power straight to the "up"...
  15. K

    Advantages of an OB bowrider??

    I'm doing some off season thinking about a future boat upgrade. I've had two I/Os but never an OB. My current ride is a 20' I/O bowrider. I'd like to in the future upgrade to a 24' bowrider. My favorite lake has a 25' length limit. I'd like to push my boating season late and start early...
  16. K

    3 flywheel teeth broken, due to backfiring when starting?????

    My '97 Mercruiser 5.7 has always been hard to start. I think it does a lot of backfiring thru the carb when trying to start it cold. I was trying to start it today and it was doing that, then the engine quite turning. The starter would no longer turn the engine. I removed the starter and found...
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