outboard motor maintenance

[Smacka]

Hi can anyone help with the things you should need to do yourself in between outboard motor services? We have only done 20 hours since our last service, and have seen people spraying their motor internals with a can. What is that can, and do we need to do it? Any other tips for maintenance? includind what appears to be rust in some of the bolts? Cheers and thanks,

[Spaniard_King]

Smacka,

Get some liquid lanolin and go to town on ya engine ;) the only thing is if #you have a 4 stroke dont get any lanoline on ya cam belt :o

Garry

[Smacka]

Spaniard-King, thanks for that advice. I have a 115 evinrude 2 stroke, so any more advice?

[tiny_tinny]

These are some of the things I do (20hp Yamaha 2-stroke) -

Every trip:
- When I first start the motor, check that the cooling water tell-tale is pumping well
- Flush motor by running with muffs - not necessary if you use your boat in fresh water
- Remove the cowling and lightly spray with WD40
- Check the prop for nicks

Every month - all of above, plus:
- Pump some grease into the grease nipples
- Remove the cowling and lightly spray with Lanocote


Every 6 months - all of above, plus:
- Check the gearcase oil level and condition (water will cause the oil to go milky - a BAD sign)
- Remove the spark plugs and check for fouling and check/adjust gap
- Remove the prop and lubricate the splines

I'm sure that there are more things that I do, but I'm getting tired and my brain's not working real good.

Mike