Full tune up

[Hoosmatroos]

Hi fellow boaters,

I'm wondering what it means to "do a full tune up" I can imagine that it involves replacing some parts but what is a full tune up? Can you also do a half tune up?

I can think of:
Replace spark plugs
replace oil and fuel filters
replace points/condensors if applicable
replace spark plug leads
change engine/gear oil?
...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Full tune up

And a tune up also includes setting dwell (first) then ignition timing if this engine has points style ignition. And when replacing plugs, distributor cap and wires make sure you replace them one at a time so you don't screw up the firing order. The distributor cap only goes on one way so you cannot stick plug wires on it in a random order. Hence the need for one at a time approach. Tune-up can mean rebuilding a carb, adjusting the choke, and setting idle mixture. It can also mean replacement of belts and hoses. So yes there is 1/2 a tune up. But one half and full tune ups are just numbers. If you do only one thing that is just a single item in what can be a long list of tune-up items. Tune ups however are generally considered "ignition" related so plugs, points, condenser, cap, rotor, wires if necessary and the associated adjustments like plug gapping, dwell and timing. If this is all Greek to you, seek professional help. It takes tools and testing equipment.

 

[Hoosmatroos]

Re: Full tune up

Don't get me wrong, I repair those engines myself, have all the special tools and equipment but the term "tune up" confused me. I'm Dutch and some phrases are confusing. But thanks, now I understand that "Tune Up" is not a standard to replace specific parts but involves a lot of them

 

[Don S]

Re: Full tune up

To me a tuneup includes not only all of the ignition parts (spark plugs, cap, rotor, points, condenser), but also a compression test, setting dwell if a points ignition, initial timing and checking advance timing, adjusting carb mixture and idle speed.

Any fuel filters, oil and filter, gear lube is just other maintenance item but not part of a tuneup.