Outboard Maintenance

[JimCate]

What maintenance procedures do most sailors follow for outboards with medium or low usage? For example, I have a 2002(?) 50 hp Tohatsu (two-cycle low pressure), which has had light usage and still runs fine (starts quickly every time), but I haven't taken it in for maintenance or lower gear lubrication, etc. After five-six years, should I replace the plug, filter, etc., even though the motor still seems to run fine? What maintenance is recommended on a monthly, annual, or five-year basis?

Suggestions?

Thanks,
Jim Cate

[bastonjock]

Hi Jim

I intend to replace the lower gear oil,plugs,filters and engine oil this winter.There are also greasing points around the engine and lifting gearis also recommende to winterise your engine,this involves running fresh water through the cooling system and finally disconnecting the fuel line and allowing the carbs to run dry,fuel left in the carbs over winter is not a good idea.

If you have the manual for the engine,it will point out where to grease up around the various points

matt

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

do the lower unit oil yourself. it's an easy DIY job that should have been done at least 1 year after your initial in-service date.
now...many profess to changing out the impeller (a $250-300 job) every two years or 100hrs (whichever comes first).
my tohatsu is nearly four years old with 80 total hours, and although i change the lower unit oil annually, i have yet to change the impeller.
i'll probably do it in in the coming months.

[jim nolan]

I have a 40 horse tohatsu 1993. I change the bottom oil every couple of years, clean the plugs and dont want to think about changing the impellor. It still runs like a champ. jim nolan

[Terry]

I take mine in to the Honda dealer every two years wether it is required or not and get a full servicing. They only change the impeller if it is worn, but I ask that they change most everything that even looks a bit worn. I change the oil on alternate years myself and have done the lower unit myself once and that made me decide to get them to do it next time.
Sometimes winter storage consists of running the engine in a tub of fresh water every Saturday throughout the winter and sometimes it is running the engine dry with the gas disconnected then left until spring. I wonder if the latter leads to premature impeller decay and if the every Saturday routine keeps things wet and lubricated. Just a thought.

[phil kelly]

I have a 50 hp Yamaha outboard which has had low use (about 50 hours total) The impellor has never been changed and it still ' pees' like a horse, do they produce gradual less flow as they wear out or do they suddenly pack in altogether does anyone know, or are there any other indications to suggest impellor change needed.

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

the claim, in general, is that the rubber impeller becomes hard/brittle and subject to split/crack.
so, there may or may not be signs.

that said, many on the board and elsewhere have 10+ year old outboards with many hours that have never changed an impeller and run just fine.

the good thing about owning a Mac is that if the motor fails you can usually sail back to or near port.

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch) - original impeller
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[kmclemore]

I agree, depending on where you use your outboard (salt/fresh/sediment/sand/etc.) lifetimes of impellers varies greatly.

My advice is that if she's p*ssing out nicely, then buy an impeller kit when you see a good deal and then just put it in stock (preferably on the boat). You'll undoubtedly need it someday, and when you finally DO need it, if you don't have one in stock you probably won't be able to find one.



No matter how cynical you get, it is impossible to keep up. - Lily Tomlin

[DaveB]

Honda 50 hp does't pee like a Pony (unless new) and any obstruction will limit flow. I usually run engine and if it doesn't PEE right I put my finger over outlet to create back pressure and that usually works. If it doesn't I take off engine cover..disconect line to flow and put finger on it again, if that doesnt fix it than run 60 lb monofiliment line thru the tubeing and that always works.
I have been looking all my life for a woman that Pees like a Honda!
I have never resorted to blowing out the lines but have the means to do so.
Dave

[Indulgence]

I shattered the impeller on my Nissan 50 through stupidity last fall.
When I installed the replacement kit I found out the main seals for
the gearbox in the lower leg were gone and the housing was full
of water. Worth taking a good look at that gear oil and changing
it often, especially if you notice the "grind" from neutral into gear
is becoming more pronounced.
L