The CORRECT Way To Break-In An Outboard!

[@stevemccormick4938]

The correct way to break in an engine is found in your user manual, read it, follow it. Won't regret it.

[@rok7980]

Do you have any good tips on removing the heads on an old 2 stroke outboard without breaking any head bolts? I need to do it, but I am scared of breaking a bolt due to galvanic corrosion. i do not believe the heads have ever been removed on this 1987 evinrude 88hp v4. Thank You.

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

Well, there aren't too many tricks outside of using kroil and heat to get them to come out, but it can be a pain and sometimes bolts just break, regardless, especially when they are almost 40 years old :/ idk much about it but a heat induction gun could also be an option, but I don't have a lot of experience with them and whether heating the head of the bolt will help get the rest of the bolt out, because head bolts usually go deep into the block, so not too many tricks that I can think of :(

[@ntj030885]

If a motor was never broke in properly can this process be done after let’s say 100 hours and actually work to break in the engine and improve performance.

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

Sometimes yes, you can get it hot with the cleaner and get those rings to seat again, but it definitely needs to be done properly

[@dustinj7650]

love the advice, but this does not reflect early break in of small outboards. It is recommended to do 10 minutes idle, followed by up to 2 hours keeping it under 1/2 throttle (under 3000x RPM). Maybe for small outboards, this is because the motor could be significantly over or under powered for the boat (ie, they need to account for most use cases).

[@TheBoatersPodcast]

Probably, and that you don't have a tack lol I think the biggest thing with break in is they don't want extended idle time, that is the worst thing for it, the rings won't set properly, like Yamaha on their little engines say: Run the engine in the water, under load (in gear with a propeller installed) as follows. For 10 hours for breaking in engine avoid extend- ed idling, rough water and crowded areas. It's all about that as little idle time as possible lol

[@dustinj7650]

​@@TheBoatersPodcastthe 'avoid idle' is such a good point. Wish my manual stated that (6hp Tohatsu). Its possible this has lead to my motor making oil (could also be because I rarely run it to higher temps to burn off water that may condense in the oil). Gotta get my motor out and run it hard and 'undo' some of that idle time.