Re: Preventive Maintenance
Hi,<br />I assume it is a 2-stroke carburator outboard You have. Some regular maintenance that I know of:<br /><br />1. When was the impeller last changed?<br />Impeller can last many years, it depends what type of water you are using Your boat in. As a rule of thumb every 2-3 year could be something to aim at I think. But some say every year (my manual say that but I do not follow it... I do it every 3 year).<br /><br />2. Thermostat(s) - checked them so you know the condition?<br />Thermostat You can just check by visual inspection and test in hot water so it open at specified temp. How often I do not know (I do it about every second year).<br /><br />3. The seal, O-ring(s), around the propshaft - very important it is not leaking.<br />I do not know how long it can last but I changed mine after 11 year on my old Suzuki DT65 (outboard only used in freshwater and used only 4-5 months/year). Probably wise to replace it earlier than I did.<br /><br />4. Fuel filter? It may be a fuel filter also on the outboard. But the water/fuel separator You have should probably take care of much.<br />I do not know how often You should clean it/change it. I do it about every second year.<br /><br />5. Grease the points on axle where the outboard it tilted up/down.<br />I do it every year.<br /><br />6. Grease the remote control points that need grease, both in the remote control and the points in the other end at the outboard.<br />I do it about every second year.<br /><br />7. Grease the propshaft with water resistant grease (anti corrosive). I inspect the prop every year and at the same time grease the prop shaft to prevent corrosion on the propshaft. And a new cottter pin.<br /><br />8. If You are using the oil injection system it is very important the oil lines is not in any way defect. The oilpump is not a thing You can service Yourself as far as I know (usually the whole pump must be replaced, at least it was so on my Suzuki DT65 I had before). But there is an inline oil filter that You can clean (I never cleaned mine but that is not a good rule of thumb I guess... but if oilflow is restricted the oil flow and rev limit lights should activate).<br /><br />Some (newer) 2-strokes have fuel injection/direct injection and that mean more things to check that I do not know what and how often. Like Yamaha HPDI, Mercury Optimax, Tohatsu TLDI, Evinrude E-tech for example.<br /><br />Best is if You get a manual for Your outboard since there it will be a schedule/chart what to be done and how often.<br /><br />Now I have a newer outboard, Yamaha F115 4-stroke (2003), and on that outboard I'm not doing any service myself as long as it is under warranty. I let a Yamaha service center take care of that.
