10 Things To Keep Your Outboard Running Forever (or almost forever)

[@MC-uj4co]

I change the oil in my Mercury 8 horse 4-stroke every 25 hours it holds just under a quart and flush it every time it goes out and pull the fuel line and let it run out of fuel

[@PapaMav]

Another tip: try not to use gas leftover from the prior season (this likely pertains to different regions differently). I rarely go through a 3 gallon tank in a season. What is left, I pour into my Tacoma, which is around October. I actually got this idea from an ECHO equipment salesman; he said the amount of oil in the gas is so minimal and the electronic engine controls in the Taco and other moderrn vehicles, is so good, having a little bit of oil in a gallon or less of gas, does no harm (when I was in college, I worked for a painter who swore by putting a can of Marvel Mystery Oil in the tank of his van each year). I have been doing this for about 8 years now to no ill effect. I add the boat gas when the tank is just a little less than full.

[@zbazz8]

Dude, I've learned alot from you videos. One thing I do all the time is run the engine with the fuel line disconnected until the engine runs out of gas, just before coming up from water. This way, the carburetor is out of residues.

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah my grandad did that every time! He swore by it. I think it’s really a good idea.

[@Soladaddy]

The basics need to be said many times. What I learned from the used market is many outboards are neglected, just like many cars. It’s hard to find one that was well taken care of.

[@mikezelenko4166]

Thank you. I’m a beginner. Very helpful

[@Skinnyriver]

Thank you for the view and taking time to comment! I appreciate it

[@aaronhastings7826]

The guy is right!!! I winterize with red armor fuel in the can. It is good for five years so a season it works great. It also has cleaning agents it it that keep the card and motor maintained. During spring and summer i found a MFA that has non- ethanol fuel. Ethanol does damage when it begins to break not when its fresh. When left in the lines and carbs it will eat away lines and gaskets playing hell on your outboard.

[@Skinnyriver]

I appreciate the view and comment! Thanks

[@WoodboogerFishing]

Good reminders that I need to hear (more than I’d like to admit)👍🙂

[@Skinnyriver]

Appreciate the view. Ready for the Spring here in TN! Thanks!!!

[@fishsmack]

Great info Houston. I run my engine more in the winter then I do in the summer, so I have to summerize my engine. Letting your engine cool back down after a long run is also very critical, especially in cold water. People want to fly into a fishing hole, kill the engine and start fishing.

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks Trey! yeah I run mine in the winter too (no boats out :), main thing for me is doing a lower end unit gear oil change before winter and SAMPLE the old gear oil and check for water (milky) If you are confident the seals are good and that no water is getting in, then there is no risk and just run it all winter. Good pt about cooling down.

[@Skinnyriver]

Honestly probably the biggest risk with winter use is putting the trim up (flat) for some reason and not letting all the water drain out first. Other than that it pretty low risk… RUN IT!

[@MullockHeap]

I have the same motor, best thing I purchased just before petrol/gas prices went up. It sips fuel.

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah I am really loving mine. I can get over 20miles per gallon, it’s great.

[@budm9982]

real good pointers

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks, I appreciate the view!

[@2stroke-outboard-FRL]

I have two 35/40 yr old Tomos 2stroke air-cooled outboards ( 4hp ) they still run butter smooth. I don't leave the tail in the water in season, before season always fresh tail oil, new sparkplug, and ignition adjustment. They are mainly used as small engine to move around when fishing.

[@Skinnyriver]

That’s awesome! I’ve always wanted to get my hands on one of those

[@2stroke-outboard-FRL]

@@Skinnyriver Those should not be hard to pickup, although I'm unsure if they are brought out under the same name in the USA/Canada....

[@alexstubbins6298]

Great advice. . Also wise to change anode regularly especially if you use in salt water a lot. Keep up the great vid.

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks Alex, that’s a good point. I appreciate the view!

[@prynceal6762]

I just read about anodes in the manual

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah it keeps the salt water from corroding the lower end unit. It degrades over time so as Alex said it’s important to watch it and replace it especially if you are in salt water

[@alexstubbins6298]

I have a similar set up with myself....I figure to stop me rusting and getting old I change my wife every 15 years ha ha ha 😂

[@prynceal6762]

@@alexstubbins6298 🤣🤣🤣

[@buschrpm]

Raccor filter also is a must

[@PapaMav]

Excellent advice. I use Stabil too which helps with octane breakdown but, bc I am not able to get gas w/o alchohol in my area, I also add an enzyme to combat the alcohol-blue bottle, put out by Star Tron found at Home Depot and Wal-fart.

[@Skinnyriver]

Good advice! Thanks again

[@PapaMav]

​@@Skinnyriver you are welcome. Looks like the stuff you use, have both elements in it. I have Stabil and the Star Tron stuff on hand seperately for my lawn equipment.

[@tp7393]

Great video... I go back to your videos when I want double check something on my 2022 Tohatsu 6hp. Good fishing!

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks again. Appreciate the ongoing support. Any questions or video ideas, let me know!

[@dustinj7650]

lol I think I've watched this video 3 times. Great work and info on these motors!! I realized as a new owner of a 2023 tohatsu 6hp I did not pay enough attention to #6 - store the motor properly. As a temporary measure I was using a slim jim for storage. This isn't working, I think the slight downward tilt in the motor head is causing oil to leak into the cylinder and rough starting. After storing the motor on a proper motor stand, it fires up in 1 pull (using your method of closing the fuel valve before shutting it down the previous run). So while all these points are critical, #6 is really a specifically important item for the 2023 model it would seem.

[@Skinnyriver]

Glad you got it figured out! Thanks for the comment and view!

[@prynceal6762]

Keep up the awesome work I can tell u spend time on this stuff and you don't mind sharing the knowledge....btw...How do you go about flushing the 6HP Merc after use...mine will only be in Salt water?

[@Skinnyriver]

I appreciate the support. This guy has a good video showing how he uses a simple bucket to flush his 6hp kzbin.info/www/bejne/bquZZGR-jraUjqM

[@Skinnyriver]

There also is a hose fitting where you can hook up a hose pipe. Here is the manual. See page 70 download.brunswick-marine.com/filereader/file/pdf/4/enen/outboard/2011/4-stroke/8m0055686r.pdf

[@Casie21]

Love your content!

[@Skinnyriver]

Thank you! I appreciate the support!

[@rjwintl]

93 octane is the best for my 6 hp Tohatsu !!!

[@SundayViewFishing]

Excellent tips! Dope video man!

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks man for the ongoing support, it means a lot. Looking forward to your next vid!

[@trevorclapham5571]

Good video

[@Skinnyriver]

Thanks for the view! Appreciate it

[@trevorclapham5571]

@@Skinnyriver I have watched many of your videos. Very well done. 👍🏻

[@Engineersoldinterstingstuff]

On small engines:run the carb empty before storage. Always - I have small df2.5 as trolling engine, if I leave gas the carburetor needs cleaning once or twice a year.

[@Skinnyriver]

Great point. I drain the carb if I’m going to store it but I have always heard run it dry every time. Good point! It makes a lot of sense. I’ll get it a try

[@semooutdooradventures2908]

Just a word to anyone who might be interested, I had mine stop spitting water, serviced the impeller checked all waterways turned out to be my thermostat was stuck closed ,yes they have thermostats

[@TopBananaMan]

Hey man. Love your videos. What are thoughts on adding seafoam to the gas on these motors?

[@Skinnyriver]

I do it at the end of the season and make sure it goes through the entire fuel system. I think it does more for keeping the carb clean than anything. Some people swear by it, other people say it a a waste of money. But I think using before storage is a good idea. Using with every fill up is probably overkill

[@Mazdaspeed13]

What if it stays in a heated garage it won’t freeze .?

[@Skinnyriver]

If it doesn’t get below 32 it won’t freeze

[@prynceal6762]

Another question- In Florida almost 99% of gas stations have at least 10% Ethanol gas is there an additive that can be used to offset the potential damage ethanol could cause?

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah I use stabil 360 marine. It’s an ethanol gas treatment and a fuel stabilizer. And one bottle lasts forever.

[@prynceal6762]

@@Skinnyriver So you just pour some every time you fuel up?

[@Skinnyriver]

I have a big 5 gallon gas tank in my garage, I just put 1/2 ounce of the stabil everytime I fill up the 5 gallon gas tank. I then use that gas for my motor and lawnmower

[@prynceal6762]

@@Skinnyriver 10-4 your a blessing man...Thanks again for all your help!!

[@rustyshackleford1687]

Responding to a bit of an older post, but as a fellow Florida resident, I've found pretty much all Wawas and some RaceTracs carry ethanol free fuel here.

[@willfn2033]

I just got a brand new merc this year 6hp anything you recommend for breaking in

[@Skinnyriver]

Below is from the manual. 1. For the first hour of operation, run the engine at varied throttle settings up to 2000 RPM or at approximately half throttle. 2. For the second hour of operation, run the engine at varied throttle settings up to 3000 RPM or at three‐quarter throttle, and at full throttle for approximately one minute every ten minutes. 3. For the next eight hours of operation, avoid continuous operation at full throttle for more than five minutes at a time.

[@crainoxlong2338]

How big is your internal gas tank?

[@Skinnyriver]

It’s like .3 gal… pretty small but great for quick trips

[@crainoxlong2338]

@@Skinnyriver Yeah I know you can go pretty far on a gallon of gas, I trying to see if your gas tank was bigger than my Yamaha 6hp gas tank , but they're like the same size.

[@alexstubbins6298]

Just been out and used my new mercury 6hp 4stroke for first time. I have it on a 3meter inflatable boat. I tried various different trim positions but couldn't get boat on plane. Also the bow was riding high even when engine was trimmed in. Do you think adding hydrofoil fins will help ? Any advice would be appreciated 🙏

[@Skinnyriver]

This guy has the same motor on an inflatable. He went down in prop pitch size and that really helped him. kzbin.info/www/bejne/an2nZZd6fsedjZI Inflatables are awesome but aren’t the best at planing and speed. I would try these things: keep trim as low as possible, shift all your weight to the front of the boat (or move your gear in the front), going down in prop pitch size will help, hydrofoil will help. To save money I would try again but get some weight in the front.

[@Skinnyriver]

Watch this vid, kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGmkmIJoZtZ3Zq8 he can’t get on plane unless he goes all the way forward. He ended up going down in prop pitch and I think he also got a hydrofoil

[@alexstubbins6298]

@@Skinnyriver thank you kindly for advice I think I will try the different prop size . My fuel tank and fishing gear is in front of boat so lot of weight over bow so I think hydrofoil and different prop my help.

[@Skinnyriver]

Sorry, I know it’s frustrating getting something and it doesn’t work out perfectly. I think you will be able to get it dialed in. You might even go to a local marine shop or boat yard to see if they have a used prop or hydrofoil you can borrow to try out.

[@alexstubbins6298]

@@Skinnyriver yeah its fine gives me a an excuse to visit marine shop and spend more time in the shed tinkering with engines.....its why we love boats and boating right ?

[@urkool7543]

Do tiller outboards have reverse ?

[@Skinnyriver]

Most do, some of the 2.5hp smaller ones don’t though, you have to rotate 180 degrees to go in reverse

[@crainoxlong2338]

What if you put stable in the gas

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah I use stabil marine… it stabilizes and is an ethanol treatment if you don’t get ethanol free gas. It’s good

[@crainoxlong2338]

@@Skinnyriver thaks I'll get some of that.

[@abnergarcia6252]

So using gasoline with 10% ethanol is okay? Where can I find ethanol free gasoline? Marina maybe? And does using any of the 3 options of gasoline in the gas station make any difference that you know of? Or should we stick to what the manual say?

[@Skinnyriver]

Yeah most manuals say 10% ethanol is ok, the issue is gas with ethanol breaks down faster and actually attracts moisture. And you don’t cycle through gas when boating compared to your car. So it sits longer. Some places don’t offer ethanol free. My suggestion is use the gas you have access to and use Marine 360 which is an ethanol gas treatment and fuel stabilizer in one

[@abnergarcia6252]

@@Skinnyriver thank you

[@PapaMav]

One more tip that I have been doing since 1996 w/my 8 HP 2 cycle Mariner is to disconnect the fuel line on the way in and run the motor until the gas is all run out.

[@codyrivenburgh7645]

I fish atleast 2 twice a week so I don't do that every trip....but I have ben doing exactly the same on my last trip of the season....or when I know i won't be taking the boat back out for a week or so

[@PapaMav]

@@codyrivenburgh7645 smart. I am sure it is the reason my OB starts up on the first pull 99.9% of the time.

[@aaronhastings7826]

Now I Disconnect and behind it run red armor in the can for a few minutes. Flush out all the regular fuel. I use to do what you do this and ethanol still done damage. The red armor last 5 years when sitting in anything

[@PapaMav]

@@aaronhastings7826 good morning. Did you get a chance to read what I wrote below about Star Tron?

[@nico8587d]

I’ve been filling my last tank of gas with airplane gas from the local airport. I do that just before the off-season for all my engines, lawn mower, motorcycles, weed whip, snowblower, and always year round in my chainsaws. Everything starts right up and I also run everything at least twice in off-season.

[@judechopper]

Make outboard last forever without a talk wrench haha!

[@Skinnyriver]

What’s a talk wrench??

[@moisturisedgnome1181]

Really useful tips for a beginner, thanks. Looks awesome where you are too btw

[@Skinnyriver]

I really appreciate the views and comments!!! Glad you enjoyed a few of the videos. I’m in Tennessee usa. Thanks again!!!

[@Nobamaable]

A rope? There are no "ropes" on boats... only lines!

[@Skinnyriver]

lol, if a rope has a purpose it’s called a line… if it’s raw rope it’s called a rope.. I see you have never sailed before

[@Nobamaable]

Never heard that "line" before and I served 30 years in the USCG, so I know a little about lines and sailing. Every line had a purpose on our ship.@@Skinnyriver

[@Skinnyriver]

Ha ha ok ok. You use rope to make lines. Coiled rope without a specific task is rope. Once it’s cut for a task it’s a line. www.boatingwithdawsons.com/blog/difference-rope-line/ Anyways good conversation. I’ll be honest I do call it rope most of the time. I’ll start calling it lines.. watch the anchor line sounds better

[@Nobamaable]

The USCG takes precedence over that shade tree source you sent me. We did have ropes on our Cutters... wire rope used on our davits to lower our small boats to board those drug boats. Keep up with the great videos. Just bustin your balls...👌. @@Skinnyriver

[@user-wy6mo1vr8t]

1: Buy a Honda:) I can start mine out of water..air cooled:)

[@Skinnyriver]

Nice! Is it the 2.3? Those are awesome