PROPULSION

Diesel engine reference guide is covered in another section. But, electrical, drive train and operational equipment information, basically,  pertains to all power boats.

When it comes to boats, engines, parts, and parts repair, you need to know  that there are alternatives. Make your decisions wisely, shop around, and Know your rights

The Anti-Siphon Valve
All you ever wanted to know and more.

Knowing if that strange noise an engine makes is normal or not, could mean the difference between a minor repair or a full blown rebuild. Sometimes they may sound almost identical. Here's some tips on finding the culprit. Who knows, you might find it easier than you think.

You turn on your favorite radio station or hook up that new Depth sounder, and they just don't seem to be as good as they were when the salesman demo'ed them for you? One possible cause is Radio frequency Noise. With Depth Sounders, sometimes, the only way to know for sure is to be systematic and test for it. You know you don't have to hear it for it to be there.

And how about getting a better hole shot from your rig, just by drilling a few small holes in just the right spots.....  How much is it worth to you? It's worth a try...  you can always fill the holes back in....

Do you have that used boat that seems to be propped out correctly and yet, something doesn't seem quite right? Maybe, somebody changed the gear ratio in the drive or it just has the wrong gear ratio for your area.  Without too much trouble, checking the gear ratio of the drive is the thing to do if you suspect tampering or can't properly ID the drive ratio. Inspect the gears and use this:
Ratio-formula.

Speaking of holes... Ever wonder what PreIgnition and Detonation might have to do with you? I suppose that first you'd have to know what it is.

Using approved Marine Grade Hose will prevent you from having a "hole" story yourself.
Looking for a parts supplier for that old motor?
Try our Supplier Reference page...

The basics of analyzing a problem with a MARINE engine is covered in numerous books and manuals. The good thing is if you have the problem, someone's had it before and learned to find it. So, here's the.....

4CYCLE scoop.

2 CYCLE scoop.

And what about EFI. It's no mystery. It's precise approach to fuel delivery removes the guess work. Either, each component is functioning properly, or most likely the whole system won't work. It also has the ability to tell you what is wrong. (sometimes) Testing just means finding out what it is telling you. Need the wiring diagram?

Did you ever wonder what are the major influences  that affect your boat and engines performance ? Here's the quickie list concerning engine output and the final result of overall boat performance.
  • Onan Control-O-Matic Generators are in an awful lot of boats. They are actually easy to keep running. It was the simplicity of the design that also made it affordable.

OMC does it again with its product lineup. Great stuff. But, nothings perfect. So here's their Fax sheet.
(Currently not available)
The worst has happened. Your boat sank or the engine back filled with sea water. You have her floating, but what's next....

H
O
W
-
T
O

A good product with a large customer base. But, Have you ever tried to get into customer service at Mercruiser? Not as easy as it sounds. This Fax sheet with phone number should do the trick.

The proper care and feeding of an aging outboard motor can assuredly be time well spent. Always follow the owners manual but in addition we offer these tips.

We will have some basic support for these older motors soon. Surprise.. there is still a lot of these old guys out there.
 

Have a technical Question
Try our Ask A Tech. form
Attention Dealers

Do you know something about a product problem, fault, or defect and can't get the manufacturer to send out the word?  We'll help and post it here. The intent is to help the entire dealer network to get up and online concerning pending trouble issues concerning boats, engines, and accessories.

Fel-Pro has a Really informative, professional Web Site. (Needs more boat references.)  Click on logo to see for yourself.

  Have you read any good sparkplugs, lately? Like a good mystery novel, reading between the lines when your doing a tune-up can prevent a lot of  hassles.  The secret clues to what is going on inside every motor is written    all over those spark plugs.

Check out  The Biopsy Page  , where you'll see all the fun and adventure of a boat mechanic.  It contains illustrations and text for some of the interesting moments of the "Marinemechanic.com guy."

Over the last 25 years, or so, we have constantly asked the manufacturers if they tested and or recommended any type of oil additive.  Usually the answer was that additives weren't needed in their engines, just follow the maintenance requirements and you  won't have any trouble.
As the horsepower outputs went higher and higher, each passing year, our concerns of  the oil's ability to hold up to the average user grew with them.
We can't tell you about Prolong or Slick 50, but Johnson's LL-5 has unofficially, become the additive of choice for several of the top  High Performance engine builders. We've been putting it in all the supercharge stuff we service, and they don't seem to break down due to oil failures, but we  wouldn't call our experience the  definitive  test bed for oil additives. Basically, we haven't scientifically tested any of the stuff we use it in, because, we haven't had to tear any of them down, due to oil failure. Maybe, a good thing....

  Who's the loneliest guy in the boat business? It's poor Mr. Carb Filter.  All his friends like, Mr. Water Separator, and Mr. Oil filter seem to get all the attention. He sits lonely and dark in his little home, waiting. And then one day he eats too much and he puts a stop to all the traffic going thru his home.  If this didn't give Mr. Piston an overheating complex, then I guess it wouldn't be such a big deal. So, don't ignore Mr. Carb Filter....
Note: pictured is a Rochester, but almost all brands have one built into the carb. Unfortunately, some of the newer ones have a final filter built into the needle and seat, and service requires removing the top half of the carb. (Check your service manual.)


Didn't find what you were looking for?
Try our Reference Book Section.

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