Maintenance question

[NYJim]

Hi All:

I am thinking of buying a boat with twin 1997 200HP Mariners. Have not seen them yet but would like to know what to look for. Owner says they were winterized two years ago and has not started them since. They are on a Houseboat and probably have low hours. No hour meter

What do you think I would have to have done to them to get them ready?
typical cost??

Thanks in advance
Jim

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Maintenance question

If they were winterized properly, very little would need to be done. Change the gear oil, grease the fittings, and check any residual fuel for freshness. Then start 'em up and see how they run. Change the spark plugs, and run them at high speed and check the spark plug color.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Maintenance question

I would also check the oil level sensors and the other sensors for the injection system and overheat warning system.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Maintenance question

I'd be very wary of that fuel sitting in that tank for 2 years, even with stabilizer in it. I wouldn't even think of cranking up those motors until you check that fuel, filters, fuel/water separaters. The best thing you can do is just assume that all the fuel is contaminated, replace with new, flush lines, filters, pumps, start fresh! If the fuel is bad and you run the motors, it's going to plug up a lot of carbs, jets, etc. $$$$

 

[NYJim]

Re: Maintenance question

Thanks guys...

Doesn't sound so bad at all..... Hopefully he REALLY did have them properly winterized.....

 

[NYJim]

Re: Maintenance question

Well I followed the above suggestions and all went well. Turns out the motors were properly winterized but it was 5 years ago, not 2.

Replaced entire fuels lines and primers, filters. Fresh batteries, greased up the starter shafts and the old buggers started up !!!! Used external fuel tank to test.
Issues. Seems the same wire on both motors were corroded, starboard sides of motors, maybe a 14 gauge running from harness to something electrical. Sorry my buddy reconnected them, not me so I don't know the colors or where they went to. Once we temporarily spliced them the motors ran great.

Next water temp gouges not working on either one. Had a laser temp gun and after 15 min. They read 140 on power heads I suppose that's good??

Oil is not injected, were the injections removed??? Thought they were all injected in 1997??

Boat horn not working, I have read that some alarms are wired to boat horn not to the little ones under dash???? Should I worry about this??

I am planning on bringing this houseboat from Jersey to Long Island when the weather warms up. About a 50 mile run in the Atlantic. The boat has been in the water for 5 years. Should I have it pulled and bottom cleaned and gear oil changed??? It will not be used for awhile when it gets to NY due to other projects.

I am new to outboards so I am a bit worried taking this out in the Atlantic

How much fuel do these engines use per hour at 2500 rpms' ?? I have two 50 gallon tanks.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated
Thanks
NYJim

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Maintenance question

Jim, Those motors would have had oil injection from the factory. It was obviously removed by PO.

You need to pull the boat, rebuild the waterpumps and change the gear oil. maybe scrape the bottom as well.

Also the overheat alarms blow the small horn under the dashboard. Test it by grounding the sensor wires on the heads, with the key on. One sensor might be for temp gauge, but other one is overheat sensor. 140*F is the correct operating temp, BTW.

I would not take that boat into the open ocean on it's maiden voyage. Shake her down over a couple of trips in Barnegat Bay or some place. Take a little jaunt out Barnegat or Manasquan Inlet and see how she handles. If you survive BI/MI, you have a good chance to survive the open ocean. Do you have GPS and GPS numbers for Jones Inlet or whereever your destination? It is a big ocean and you do not want to miss entire Island of Long.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Maintenance question

You should make it from BI to Jones inlet on 100Gal. However, I would take some portable tanks (4 six gal of premix), just in case. I think you will need to run at 3000 RPM or so, as a minimum, if that is a planing hull. If not, I have no clue....

 

[NYJim]

Re: Maintenance question

Yes I have gps and other devices. Thanks for the input. Figured we would take it out this weekend to see how she handles. Will have it pulled and clean up the bottom and do lower units as you suggested.

Thanks for your valuable advise. Is Barnegat real snoty???? Or relatively calm?? I am used to jones beach and that can get to 8' swells at times.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Maintenance question

Barnegat will be snotty when wind blows from SE-S-SW in the afternoon, which it does a lot. Chop will be 18" - 24" and relentless. Barnegat inlet is the poster child for bad inlets. They test stuff there under the premise if the stuff works in BI, it will work in any inlet. If you get a wind-against-the tide situation in BI, the waves stand up close to 5', and it is pretty unnerving. Wind with the tide makes it pretty flat and nice....

 

[NYJim]

Re: Maintenance question

With your advise, I am working on a new plan. Bring boat to Brielle just inside of the manasquan inlet. Have repairs and maintenance done there. Weather permitting, get out of dodge and bring it up to Freeport. This way I have a break between the long run to ny.

Your thoughts?? Chris also looking for a reputable marina to clean bottom and service the lower units. Do you know or recommend any in the Brielle or close to Brielle area???

Thanks Jim

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Maintenance question

I don't know any marinas in Brielle, sorry. If you plan to bring the boat to Brielle via Barnegat Bay, the upper part of the bay is real shallow, so stay in the channel at all times. There is also a fork in the channel near the Metedeconk River that tends to confuse me. I recommend you study that area on the chart before setting out.

BTW, if you head directly for Jones Inlet, there may be times when you are out of sight of land, depending on visibility. Staying close to the NJ and NY skyline is more comforting, but takes longer and uses more fuel.