Do you remove your engine cover for Maintenance?

[Mn_Z_Man]

I'm getting ready to start winterizing my 1994 four winns 18", 5.0 VP engine, and am really surprised how tight stuff is crammed into the engine compartment. I'm trying to decide if I should figure out how to do it by feel, or should I figure out how to take all the interior out around the engine. I admit I have only glanced at how the interior is put together, I'm just not sure if its just a few screws, or if it is a bigger project than the maintenance itself- I don't want to get it all torn apart and then not be able to get it back together nicely. Owners manual and FSM weren't much help. Interested in everyone general experience.

Thanks

Eric

 

[Lou C]

Re: Do you remove your engine cover for Maintenance?

I have the same thing on my 88 Horizon 200 and the only way to get at the block drains, oil filter (if not remote mounted) is to take out the back seat and side panels...I used screws/wingnuts to hold it all together instead of the wood screws they had...here's a pic of mine with it all removed.....it takes me about 10 min to remove the seats and rear dividers...then the access to the engine is wide open...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Do you remove your engine cover for Maintenance?

Some boats you have no choice but to removes seats,panels,ect. to get to the engine.
I have spent more time on doing that than the actual work or service on the engine. It is just a part of working on boats!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Do you remove your engine cover for Maintenance?

Do what I did. Move to a warmer climate where winterizing isn't an option.

Use the boat all year! 12 solid months of boatable season!!

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Do you remove your engine cover for Maintenance?

Move to a warmer climate where winterizing isn't an option.

Winterizing is still an option, it's just not required.
(Don't mind me, I'm just jealous. Yesterday was probably my last day of boating until next spring.)

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Do you remove your engine cover for Maintenance?

I don't know, I think I'll take central CA with 8-9 good months of boating, and 3 others just mildly cold- won't keep a good fisherman down...over humidity and bugs

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Do you remove your engine cover for Maintenance?

...over humidity and bugs

Uh...excuse me...our state bird happens to be the mosquito!

Wildfires...landslides...mudslides...Hollywood...earthquakes


I'll take a little humidity anyday!

 

[Mn_Z_Man]

Re: Do you remove your engine cover for Maintenance?

Ok, thanks for the (mostly) useful suggestions. As it turns out, it was 6 screws to get the transom cover and engine shroud off. Now its just like the engine is sitting oot on a work bench, much nicer than before.

Eric