3.0 Maintenance Worries

[taylorjheinzen]

Hey guys, still pretty new to iBoats and the boating world in general, but I've appreciated the help I've gotten so far. Quick maintenance question here: Since I've owned my boat, I've put a few bucks into it. I know owning a boat requires that at times (or to some of you, all the time), especially buying one 25 years old. So far I've replaced the gears in the lower unit, replaced the coupler and impeller, installed new seals, (guy I bought it from failed to tell me it was slowly leaking gear oil and I was too green to realize it) and rebuilt the carb. The boat has been running solid this summer so far, and I'm at a place where I'm paranoid to feel that way.

So now that those big ticket items are replaced and done right, what maintenance should I being keeping up on or what things should I consider getting looked at by a pro to make sure I can get few more years of worry-free boating?

Thanks!

 

[ThomW]

Did you check and/or change the motor oil and filter? Fuel filters? Spark plugs?

 

[taylorjheinzen]

Did you check and/or change the motor oil and filter? Fuel filters? Spark plugs?

Yup, had fresh oil and filter taken care of when it was winterized in September. Plugs and wires were replaced in 2015. Not sure about fuel filter. How often should it be replaced?

 

[tlewis1]

Most 3.0L don't have a fuel water separator but there will be a filter inline in the big nut on the carb where the fuel inlet is. I am sure it was most likely cleaned or replaced when the carb was rebuilt.

I am sure others will chyme in but I'd be adding checking/replacing the distributor cap and rotor on that list as well. On the drive side it should be removed every so often to inspect the u joints/gmb brg/bellows/etc

 

[ThomW]

Tiewis is correct, there is a fuel filter in the carb inlet, and one in the bottom of the fuel pump. Unless added afterwards, there won't be a fuel/water separating filter. They should both be changed annually. If it's running good now, I would not be too worried about distributor cap and rotor, but definitely a good idea to check and/or change those at the end of the year or beginning of next season. Don't forget to grease all the fittings on the out drive too!

 

[Scott06]

Only thought I would add is to check the bellows visually for cracks and age, replace as needed. Grease the gimbal bearing. You seem to have most of it covered. Do the oil filter and drive lube annually with proper winterization and you will be in good shape for the future

 

[fishrdan]

Bellows is the biggest item you didn't mention, 5 year maintenance item. If they go bad you can trash the gimble bearing, Ujoints and upper input seal (then the upper gears).

Does your drive have the lube monitor bottle (engine mounted)? That will make it easy to see the lube level in your drive, check it before each outing, along with the engine oil level.

Agree with the water separating fuel filter mentioned. Plugs and wires done, how about cap rotor, points and condenser, dwell and timing adjustments (if using points)?

Check out the stickies up in the "adults only" section, top of the Mercruiser forum, chock full of the info you're looking for.