Bringing a boat out of retirement

[CTD]

I have a friend who has an 89 OMC 4.3 that hasn't been used in about 5 years and he wanted me to check it over for him before he tried taking it out again. I'm not a boat mechanic so I don't know what to service and check. I told him that a minor tune up, check carb,change oil & fuel filter and maybe install a transom kit if anything looked at all bad, lube u joint. Anything else you pro's would look at?<br />Thanks

 

[tommays]

Re: Bringing a boat out of retirement

after 5 years i would be suprised if the fuel was not a big problem<br /><br />i think you on the right track do some basic things and see if it will run <br /><br /> even if it was stored correctly for the winter it was not done to last 5 years<br /><br />i would pull the plugs and dry crank the motor until you get some oil pressure and then hope for the best<br /><br />tommays

 

[tryan]

Re: Bringing a boat out of retirement

if you are mechanicaly inclined, you might pull the valve covers and spray fogging oil over the valve hardware and down the push rods, give each cylinder a 10 second spray, pull the distributor and spin the oil pump. let this sit for a few days, then try turn the motor by hand and repeat a couple times before you 'start' it on some fresh fuel.<br /><br />some recommend to fill the motor with gallons of cheap oil and let it sit and soak.<br /><br />if you do get it running, take a second boat with you to the lake.

 

[steve n carol]

Re: Bringing a boat out of retirement

CTD, was there water in the oil, (on the dipstick). if so, you best test the exhaust manifolds. also, rubber and neoprene get hard and crack as does your cork/neoprene gaskets. This affects the impeller in the outdrive, and the fuel pump diaphram, cooling hoses, spark plug wires etc. Carefull removing the gasoline from the tank and lines, ie static electricty, search static elect. and siphoning gas in the stupid human tricks topic. another thing, the wiring connections and fuse block may be corroded by now, as well as the silinoids in the gas lines, if equipped. The carb is dry and likewise the accl. pump, be ready for a backfire, have a fire extinguisher ready. <br />Q) why was the boat in storage for 5 years? did it break? keep us posted..sl

 

[CTD]

Re: Bringing a boat out of retirement

He's just been too busy to use it. I forgot about the water pump, its probably taken a good set by now. I didn't think to ask if he had drained the block and manifolds after last use but knowing him I doubt it. It's probably full of rust by now. Guess the best thing is to get it started before I replace bellows and stuff to see if it will still run. I am a retired auto mechanic and have a 4.3 omc myself so I have some idea what I'm doing.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Bringing a boat out of retirement

Don't run it without water to the lower unit intake (hose muffs)----you probably already knew that.