Thursday, August 24, 2017

Outboard Motor Maintenance

So you own a Mercury outboard but just haven’t quite kept up on maintenance.  Perhaps you have no idea where you stored the owners manual and are just crossing your fingers that you haven’t forgot any major maintenance items. For anyone who can identify with the above, this article is for you.
Regular engine maintenance is essential to ensuring your engine will provide you with years of trouble-free operation.  Mercury Authorized Dealers have the expertise and training to handle all of your engine maintenance service and needs.  US Boatworks is a Mercury Authorized Premier Dealer with over 30 years experience in repairing and maintaining Mercury Outboard Motors in the Kansas City area.  Please call to schedule your 100 and 300 hour maintenance of your Mercury Outboard or follow the recommended guidelines below.
For the do-it-yourselfer, timely, accurate maintenance is essential.  The maintenance checklist at the bottom of the page is a great reminder of items to be reviewed at both 100 and 300 engine hours.  Next you will find a grease chart for fresh water use to insure the proper product is used on your motor.  Always refer to your specific owners manual or call your authorized Mercury Motors dealer before performing these recommended services.

OILS AND LUBRICANTS  Mercury Marine Oil and Oil Filter
Oils and lubricants are an integral part to keeping your motor parts moving properly.  Don’t be fooled into buying generic or multi-purpose oils which are inferior to genuine manufacturer oils.  Mercury Oils and Lubricants are specifically engineered for the unique needs of marine engines and rigorously tested to meet high standards. You can get the most out of your engine while having total peace of mind that your engine is being protected when you choose oils manufactured by your engine manufacturer.

GREASE CHART FOR FRESH WATER USE
STEERING SYSTEMS / CABLE, LINKAGES
2-4-C
100 hrs/at least once a yr
THROTTLE AND SHIFT CABLES, LINKAGES
2-4-C
100 hrs
REMOTE CONTROLS
2-4-C
100 hrs/at least once a yr
PROP SHAFT
2-4-C
100hrs/120 days
SWIVEL PINS
2-4-C
100hrs/120 days
TILT LOCK MECHANISM/TILT TUBE
2-4-C
100 days
DRIVE SHAFT SPLINES (ENGINE COUPLERS)
EXTREME
100 hrs/at least once a yr
MAINTENANCE CHECK LIST100 HRS300 HRS
INSPECT ENGINE AND ACCESSORIES FOR VISIBLE DAMAGE
RUN ENGINE FOR CORRECT OPERATION, CHECK FOR ANY ACTIVE CODES
DRAIN GEAR HOUSING AND REFILL WITH GEAR LUBE
REPLACE GEAR LUBE
SERVICE WATER PUMP
INSPECT THERMOSTATS, REPLACE IF NECESSARY
LUBRICATE DRIVE SHAFT SPLINES
INSPECT PROPELLER SHAFT NUT, TORQUE IF NECESSARY
INSPECT IGNITION COMPONENTS, REPLACE SPARK PLUGS IF NECESSARY
INSPECT FUEL TANK, FUEL LINES AND CONNECTIONS
INSPECT FUEL FILTERS, REPLACE IF NECESSARY
CHANGE ENGINE OIL AND REPLACE OIL FILTER (FOURSTROKE ONLY)
INSPECT HIGH PRESSURE FILTER, REPLACE IF NECESSARY
CHECK AND INSPECT ANODE, REPLACE IF NECESSARY










Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Which is best? OEM or Generic Fuel Lines for Outboard Motors

Our phone rings continuously with about boat motors not running properly. At times, we try to help our customers trouble shoot the problem over the phone. No sense in bringing a boat in for service if the answer is a quick solution that the owner can handle.
So, when discussing the poor performance complaints, popular problematic symptoms usually include:
-Motor will not start
-The engine runs fine for a while, but then shuts down and will not restart
-Loosing power periodically and then when running on plane
Mercury Outboard w fuel line

When we hear the symptoms above, we will suggest checking for fuel leaks, reviewing all fittings and connectors for leaks and testing the fuel bulb. We also ask if the fuel lines have been replaced and if so, what brand has been installed? When the answer is the fuel lines have been replaced by lines purchased at a large discount store, we suggest purchasing OEM fuel lines and installing them with new fittings. The fuel lines from the discount stores last a fraction of that of an OEM line. The quick deterioration of the generic lines often times cause boaters more problems than the money saved up front. Frequent replacing of lines and time lost on the water is far more costly than simply purchasing the OEM lines to begin with. If fuel lines have never been replaced, they still may need to be changed out with new OEM lines to insure fuel can reach the motor with ease.
If you are in need of new fuel lines or fuel related accessories, we can help. Our online parts store allows you to select your motor and review the engine diagrams on the screen. Simply place items from the microfiche drawings in your shopping cart & check out. We usually ship orders the same day so you receive your order quickly.
Bottom line, fuel related problems can sometimes be self diagnosed and fixed at home. We recommend using OEM parts especially with your fuel lines and connectors. Should you want us to do the work for you, please call or bring your boat in for Kansas City boat repair or service. There is nothing better than a fun day out on the water with friends and family. We take pride in quality workmanship and will get your motor running in top shape.

Friday, August 4, 2017

The Challenge: Finding NLA, older model boat parts

If you own an older boat motor you may find it challenging to get replacement parts for necessary repairs.  Most boat dealers do not have the time or the warehouse space to stock slower moving, older outboard or sterndrive parts.  To make matters worse, manufacturers only produce replacement parts for a period of time and then announce that the parts are NLA- no longer available from them. This leaves boat owners in  a pickle when in need of parts to get back out on the water.  Often times, older motors will be sent to the junk yard because of the lack of available replacement parts.

We have a solution for you! US Boatworks took on the inventory challenges to make the NLA parts available for everyone.  We expanded our warehouse space significantly to serve those in need of boat parts.  Our owner personally spends over 2000 hours each year scouring the country for hard to find parts.  Once we find parts and pay to have them shipped to our shop, we then review each piece to insure quality and suitability.  Next we log them into inventory, assign a bin location and get them on the warehouse Boat Parts Room
boat partsboat parts in stockshelf.
There is a significant time and money investment to get theses NLA parts to our customers.  Our NLA parts
will sometimes be more costly than the price when it was new.  This increase in price is due to the time and money investment made to bring them in and store them over the years.  Additionally, we often times pay over retail for parts when they are in high demand and low supply.  Just like you learned in economics 101.
If you are need of hard to find boat parts, please check our easy to use on-line parts store. If we don’t have what you are looking for on-line, be sure to call or email us.  If you order with us, we usually ship your part out the same day via FedEx ground.

Vintage Outboard Motors used for Parts