This is probably a stupid question and has been answered before....but...
My engine was fully serviced a year ago but due to unforeseen family circumstances the boat was hardly used last year (<5hours!!) and has been out of the water over the winter. I am loathed to spend £200 + on another full service this year. What are the essentials? How much of these can I easily do myself e.g. oil change?
This is probably a stupid question and has been answered before....but...
My engine was fully serviced a year ago but due to unforeseen family circumstances the boat was hardly used last year (<5hours!!) and has been out of the water over the winter. I am loathed to spend £200 + on another full service this year. What are the essentials? How much of these can I easily do myself e.g. oil change?
Thanks for your advice.
Jon
You can do it all yourself. You might want to change the gearbox oil and sump oil. But I'd think the key thing on an engine which has been sitting unused for a year would be to make sure everything that needs to move is well greased and free moving.
I wouldn't touch it after only 5 hours, I'd be servicing mine every week otherwise
The only issue might be the impellor, some chance of the rubber blades going stiff and brittle after being sat for so long especially with the cold winter we've had
While the boat is out of the water get a hose pipe and muffs on the motor and run it for a good 15 minutes and keep an eye on the water flow from the tell-tale.
After only 5 hours I wouldn't bother servicing it. The impeller should be fine (assuming it was changed last season), so no need to drop the gearbox and drain oil. Clean the fuel filter, and top up the tank with fresh fuel. Also worth putting the battery on a trickle charge. I'd also remove the spark plugs to clean. Use a little copper-ease on the threads before putting them back in.
Sula
