Runing in a new engine

Daniel TD5 · 27 April 2004, 20:45

after picking up my new boat and my first day out i was told by the dealer
20 hours was the runing in time and during this period take it easy i asked
what rev limit i should keep to and was told 3000 revs and to keep varying
the power but you can go above that to get the boat on the plane the most rev i did at weekend was 4500 for a quick burst i will be out this weekend
but i cant believe that the book that comes with the engine as no runing in
section. am i right in what i am doing. the other comment is when the rib is
being towed it said in the book not to use the power tilt or pin use a engine prop
the dealer said use the pin ?? its going in to fix a fuel leak tomorrow a bit of a pain but it will be ready for the weekend

Tim M · 27 April 2004, 20:48

Now I'm worried - I was told that it was OK to trailer my outboard with it held up with the power trim....

simmons0 · 27 April 2004, 20:59

I was always told never to tow on the power t/t.

You lift the engine up on the tilt and there should be a metal catch on both sides of the engine that hinges down and you lower the engine using the tilt agian untill it rests on that catch and not the hydraulics.

Daniel TD5 · 27 April 2004, 21:00

IMPORTANT Do not rely on the power trim/tilt system or tilt support pin to maintain proper ground clearance for trailering. the outboard tilt support pin is not intended to support the out board for trailing

taken from operation and maintenance manual 2003 700 pages 27 in english

Tim M · 27 April 2004, 21:02

In that case it's a wooden wedge all the way! (Whats the point of the pin then??)

Red Fox · 27 April 2004, 21:02

Two dealers have told me to tow with the engine up and the locking mechanism on...yes it says not to in the Suzuki book but with it down I would hate to go over a bump! This was discussed before and the general consensus was 'keep it up'.
I can't work out why they put a locking mechanism on but then tell you not to use it for towing?!
When my engine had its first service the computer attached to it told the dealer the revs that I had used and for how long! So yes stick to the running in period.

roohairy · 27 April 2004, 21:42

I had a near miss while towing a boat along the side of loch lomond, foreign bus on my side of the road so I opted for the ditch...

Anyway point is at least one side of the trailer and boat were airborn at some point, destroyed the rim that went in the ditch and damaged the bearings, also pulled the tyre off but otherwise ok, including engine which was sitting on the steel catch not the hydraulics.

I think the manufacturers are protecting themselves against any eventuality, did you hear about the American Winnebago owner who put it into cruise control then left the controls to make a cuppa? He sued the manufacturers successfully as the manual didn't say he couldn't.

John Kennett · 27 April 2004, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by roohairy

did you hear about the American Winnebago owner . . .

Hmmm

John

my girls · 27 April 2004, 22:42

Daniel,

In al my years of boating, i have never heard of a 20 hour run in, i have had many engines Yams and Mercs but only need 10 hours run in period. After 1 hour at half throtel you open up for so many minutes, check your manual it tells you what you should do, not what dealer says so.

Richard

Bajan · 27 April 2004, 22:43

I understood the rules to be: Don't tow on the Tilt Lock as the engine can swing upwards when bouncing and allow the tilt lock to release. Engine prop should be used or others say a piece of wood. Apparently the pin is to take the strain off of the hydraulics when stored and stationary. I've heard 100% against towing with just the power tilt and nothing else.

Red Fox · 27 April 2004, 22:55

Dealer says one thing/Book says another.

O.K. any design ideas on the thing that holds the engine as arrowed in the above diagram?
A strap of some sort around the cavitation plate and some way of attaching it to the pole that also needs attaching to the trailer. We can patent the item and sell it for a fortune!

Matt · 27 April 2004, 23:02

Alas not, they're called transom savers and everyone in the states uses them.

Richard B · 27 April 2004, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by roohairy

I think the manufacturers are protecting themselves against any eventuality...

I think you've got the measure of it, Mr Roohairy. All engine manuals say the same. I don't tow our RIB about very often, but when I do, I just use the steel tilt lock mechanism after lowering it down onto it with the hydraulics. It won't bounce up for the same reason that the engine won't lift up every time you reverse the boat when you're in the water (think about it!)

Matt · 27 April 2004, 23:04

http://www.iboats.com/products/7/396...som_saver.html

DJL · 27 April 2004, 23:10

I've just had a look at the manual for your engine at www.marinepower.com. Page 16 or 17 (depending on which version) details the break-in procedure.

If the engine has oil injection: Use a 50:1 petrol/oil mixture in the first tank of fuel. If it doesn't have oil injection then you need to use a 25:1 mix.

"Vary the throttle setting during the first hour of operation. During the first hour of operation, avoid remaining at a constant speed for more than two minutes and avoid sustained wide open throttle."

As to trailing, I always trail my mercury on the hydraulics/trim lock and never had any problems.

Red Fox · 27 April 2004, 23:13

just found these in the USA for $30...http://www.m-ywedge.com
Anything this side of the pond?

codprawn · 28 April 2004, 02:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by my girls

Daniel,

In al my years of boating, i have never heard of a 20 hour run in, i have had many engines Yams and Mercs but only need 10 hours run in period. After 1 hour at half throtel you open up for so many minutes, check your manual it tells you what you should do, not what dealer says so.

Richard

Only NEED a 10 hour run in period? - it can be a hell of a lot longer than that before an engine is properly run in.

Remember some car engines aren't properly run in until 10,000 miles or more DESPITE what the makers claim!

I know 2 strokes are different but they still have pistons moving inside bores etc etc.

Of course being too gentle doesn't do an engine any favours either!

Bilge Rat · 28 April 2004, 08:21

After my rebuild last year i had 10 hours of running in to do at 25/1 oil mix then at 10 hours changed the plugs and now run at 50/1 mix, i stuck religiously to the 10 hours and it was as boring as hell

now it runs like a dream..... ok so a dream filled with nasty chain saw like sounds....so more like a nightmare really

Oh and what manual ??

Never trailer my engine down, either use the catches to hold it up or chock it up with a block of wood.

Rat

Jari Hjerppe · 28 April 2004, 10:25

Visit at www.marinepower.com -> Download center

There you can find manuals (PDF files) for Merc/Mariner outboards.

Jari

Bill S · 28 April 2004, 11:36

Red Fox,

That gizmo you found is the same type of thing that I have on my Force. The Force manual calls it the 'trailer lock'. I'll show you it in operation next time we meet up. Unfortunately, my trailer only has tiny 'ickle 8" wheels, and with the engine lowered onto the 'trailer lock' there just ain't enuff ground clearance for my peace of mind (at least not on the roads I travel), so I tow with the engine fully up on the hydraulics. Never had a problem, even on the track from NEB to Portlogan, and thats certainly bumpy.
I always meant to build a copy of the 'trailer lock' so I could put both on and get some decent ground clearance, but haven't got round to it yet - I keep getting sidetracked by folks wanting to try out their new boats etc!

Anyways - when ya next taking your tub to NEB?

C'ya later.......

Bill