Saturday 16 January 2016

Outboard checks


the season is creeping up.....time for some outboard checks.........a daily inspection routine when I mount thenoutboard on the transom......some obvious things really

1. Fuel ...........check amount in tank; check for debris in any fuel filter; check rubber hoses for any leakage. Make sure spar fuel onboard in small one litre cans with fuel funnel to hand
2. Engine oil level checked
3. Electrics ..........stop switch functions, no loose cords or wires on connection points, spark plug is clean with no wear or carbon build up
4. Throttle system.....carb choke valve works and turning throttle grip ok with right tensional twist set
5. Recoil starter...check for chafing, wear and ratchet engagement
6. Clutch and prop..........shift lever engages engine? Check! Prop not bent or chipped? Split pin still on and looking good?
7. Installing on transom bracket......bracket safe and still strong, clamp screws greased and twisting freely, tied onto transom so not interfering with engine turning. Clamps tight and secure?
8. Cooling water.....discharging on start up
9. Tools and spares...........all there and accessible!!
10. Air vent opened ready
11. Engine out of gear
12. No obstructions to catch elbow when pulling starter cord
13. Kill switch secure and clipped to me

Now given I probably forgot to drain the tank and left fuel I the carb for three months, I suspect it will be worth taking it down to my local chandler where Mick can tut tut me, as he should, shake his head over my slack stupidity, and then try and rescue, clean and  service my lovely outboard.

I know......I meant to drain it but I forgot and got caught back up in school work!
I know, I know! 
It's going to be a tough and expensive lesson to learn and serves me right!
at

8 comments:

  1. Anonymous16 January 2016 at 09:00

    Drain the carb, and try fresh fuel, I bet it will go fine !.

    ReplyDelete
  2. steve16 January 2016 at 09:22

    Yup I guess it will but might get kick to look at it anyway

    ReplyDelete
  3. Bursledon Blogger16 January 2016 at 14:22

    Steve, stripping the carb down for a clean really isn"t that difficult and a skill worth learning.

    ReplyDelete
  4. steve16 January 2016 at 21:56

    Done it on a 1968 motovespa so can do it ona four stroke as well. Just need to find the time. Liked your last post...so many boats
    Happy new year by the way Max
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rational Root18 January 2016 at 08:19

    I stripped my Suzi outboard carb after watching it done on you tube.

    You can take pictures as you take it a part, to make it easier to put it back together.

    It was not really that difficult.

    One of the smaller jets was completely blocked.

    Once that was sorted it ran just fine.

    D

    ReplyDelete
  6. steve18 January 2016 at 15:34

    Thanks RR
    I did something similar when I stripped down and rebuilt a two stroke motovespa 125 engine.......on,y it was a lot older than the one on YouTube and some parts were difficult to source or replace but we got thee in the end. Isn't YouTube a wonderful thing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. John21 January 2016 at 09:47

    Dismantling the carb - put a couple of sheets of newspaper on a tray to do it on, and have something handy to put the little bits in. Clean, absorbent surface, lip to catch the bits that go sproingggg.
    Don't poke wire thro the jets, blow thro. Clean petrol and toothbrush to shift the crud - and fluff free rag.

    cheers
    John

    ReplyDelete
  8. steve21 January 2016 at 20:41

    Thanks John good advice
    Thank you
    Steve

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking a look at my blog. All comments and advice are welcome - drop me a few lines. You can always find videos about Arwen at www.youtube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy. Look forward to hearing from you.
Steve