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    Too many hours? Mercruiser 3.0L or 4.3L

    I'm back in the game shopping for a new boat and will probably have a mercruiser so I had some questions. Just looking for some input on hours on a mercruiser engine that is maintained. If a boat is maintained well, how many hours are reasonable for a 5 to 10 year old boat? Considering 300...
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    Volve Penta 5.0 EFI - 302 Ford Engine - Reliable?Problematic?

    I'm shopping boats and found most with the standard Mercruiser setup, but one has a Volvo Penta 5.0 engine. The year is 96 and it has a Volvo Penta SX Cobra Outdrive. Anyone know if this engine is a decent engine, or problematic? From what I can tell it is the 302 5.0L Mustang engine with the...
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    Winterizing-HOW MUCH ANTIFREEZE?

    I am wintering my Mercruiser 3.0 this year and was curious to know how much anti-freeze I should buy to winterize properly? I plan to follow Don's winterize sticky post. How many gallons will do it?
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    Fuel Filter/Water Separator - WHICH TO INSTALL?

    This is the first time I am working on my own boat and realize that it does not have a separate fuel filter/water separator. I have a 2005 Mercruiser 3.0L engine. Does Mercruiser sell one that I can just cut and install into the fuel line, or is there another one out there people recommend...
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    Anyone using a SuperFlush system?

    Keeping my boat at a dock in the salt water this year so I've been looking around for a flushing system. Seems like the SuperFlush does exactly what I need. http://www.superflushsales.com/product_3.html Anyone use one of these or have feedback on them?
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    Flushing freshwater through engine from dock hose? 3.0L Mercruiser

    So last year I used to trailer my boat and flushed it after every use on the hose for a while. This year I am keeping the boat in the water. I've seen the closed cooling systems and am considering one. Are they hard to install? If I just keep it plain jane raw water cooling, is there a kit I...
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    Which Manual do I need? Mercruiser 3.0L

    I have a 2005 Searay with the Mercruiser 3.0 engine. Which manual do I need so I can work on it myself? I want to make sure I am changing the oil correctly, winterizing it, summerizing, etc. Is the one on iBoats the one I need? I see Part #3208 covers all 2001-2006 engines and drive units...
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    Anti-Fouling Wax work? Or just stick with paint?

    I have a boat with a nice and clean bottom and I hate to paint it, but if I have too I will. I see those bottom waxes like VS721 that seems to have some happy people, and others who say just stick with a paint. Anyone actually use anti-fouling wax with success?
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    De-Winterizing Process? What else?

    So last year I didn't have the time to winterize my boat myself, so a mechanic from a local marina stopped by and did it for me. He put anti-freeze in the block, and fogged the engine. He didn't pull the outdrive or change any of the lower unit oil or anything. So, what should be done this...
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    Winterizing-Do you Remove the Lower Unit?

    I was wondering if most of you leave your lower unit on your I/O for the winter, or do you remove it? I was told by a local mechanic that leaving it on is fine, and that I could change out my lower unit oils and greasings in the fall, since the boat only has about 25+/- hours. Should I go...
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    Winterization-Average Cost in Parts and Oil?

    This is my first time ever owning an I/O. My boat is a 2005 Searay with the 3.0L engine with about 33 hours on it. I am debating on winterizing it myself and was curious to know about how much does it cost in Filters, gaskets, o-rings, seals, etc? I am trying to get an estimate on the guess...
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    Do you use STABILIZER in your Gas during the season?

    Does anyone use Stabilizer in their boat on a regular basis during the season? I just got a new boat this season and it has a 21+ Gallon tank. After 5 or 6 outings I thought it was close to empty and turns out it still had 11+ gallons in the tank. So my question is, if I am going to keep gas...
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    Temp Gauge Reading? Wrong? TOO HOT?

    So I just got my boat a few weeks back and have been out 3 or 4 times. The temperature gauge is acting up a bit and I wanted to feedback and advice. The boat is a 2005 Sea Ray 180 Sport with the 3.0L Mercruiser Engine. It has bout 27 hours on it and was like brand new when I got it at 23...
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    Flushing Engine - Leave all the way trimmed UP?

    Is it ok to flush the engine with the engine trimmed all the way up? I only flushed twice and I trimmed the engine down incase it was required. Does it matter if you leave the engine tilted all the way up while flushing?
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    COVER for Boat- Need Help Deciding - anyone buy one lately???

    I am shopping for a full cover for my new boat (2005 Sea Ray 180 Sport) and was wondering if some of you guys could share your opinions and knowledge. FABRICS: Seems like some are made of Cotton, others from Polyester blends, Acrylic, and 600 Denier dyed Polyester. I have been told to stay away...
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    Flush Engine - Is this how you do it?

    So I am new to Inboard/Outboards, but not to Jet Ski's and Outboard Engine's. Do you flush an I/O the same way? I am using the hose flap motor muffs. 1.) Turn on Engine 2.) Immediately turn on water/hose 3.) Let engine run for 10+ minutes, or till the thermostat opens 4.) Turn off Water 5.)...
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    Flushing I/O while in water?

    I was curious to know what is the best method of flushing out an I/O engine while it is in the water? I am talking about a flush in salt water? I have seen that Volvo has a Neutra-Salt engine flush setup, and then I have also seen a Perko flush valve system of some sort. Do Mercuiser 3.0L's...
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    First Salt Water Ride- Anything to do?

    So I finally found a boat and picked it up this week! a sweet 2005 Sea Ray 180 Sport with the 135 3.0L I/O engine. I was wondering if there is anything I should be doing to the I/O for my first ride in salt water? The boat has been a fresh water boat for its 22 hours of use since 2006. In my...
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    Correct Prop? Need some help

    Hi, I am purchasing a 2005 Sea Ray 180 Sport bow rider type boat with the 3.0L Mercruiser engine. I was curious to know what a good replacement prop would be for this boat? The current prop is a black aluminum type prop that isn't in horrible condition, but it has a few scrapes and I want to...
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    Fresh Water Cooling Kits???? Info Needed

    So I am about to buy a boat that has a 3.0L Mercruiser engine (2005 with under 30 hours). Since I ride in Salt water I was wondering if a fresh water cooling kit is an ideal upgrade? Locally I see hundreds of boats that sit in the salt water for many years and do fine, but I know how Salt...
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