Mercruiser were 4.3 MPI first run of the season question

Jimwhall

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Aug 6, 2013
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Just recently purchased a 2016 Four Winds with a 4.3 MPI Mercruiser and alpha-1 Stern drive. It's been stored its whole life in been winterized and brought out of storage this spring. I took a lake test on it and it ran fine.
There is a tag on it that says "do not run until summarized" (one free to the last four years). I checked the oil and that's fine and I've checked all the hoses. I'm waiting on a factory service manual. Before I take it out again is there anything else that I should check?
 

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
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Drive oil. Probably has the little reservoir that you can check. Make sure there are no fuel leaks, might want to replace the fuel filter if not done for winterizing.
 

alldodge

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Many cases, that kind of tag is so the shop that winterized can make more money. That said, you had it out for a run it should be ok.

New to you boat means do all the maintenance before going again.
Change drive lube and replace impeller
Check drive alignment
Change oil
Change fuel filter
Check belts
 

Jimwhall

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 6, 2013
Messages
166
Many cases, that kind of tag is so the shop that winterized can make more money. That said, you had it out for a run it should be ok.

New to you boat means do all the maintenance before going again.
Change drive lube and replace impeller
Check drive alignment
Change oil
Change fuel filter
Check belts
Thank you. I appreciate it.

As of now I will do this myself. I prefer to have a mechanic look over it, but literally every marina around me has a really crappy reputation.
 

Bondo

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Ayuh,..... Click on the link in my signature titled Don's Adults Only Section,.....
There's a thread in there titled Summerization,....
 

alldodge

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Ayuh,..... Click on the link in my signature titled Don's Adults Only Section,.....
There's a thread in there titled Summerization,....

Hey Bondo, the the summerize (10) link takes ya to winterization link (11)
 

Bondo

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Oh,.... I haven't looked in quite awhile,....... Obviously,..... :rolleyes:
 

achris

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May 19, 2004
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If the oils are good, and everything else looks right, the only other thing I would check is that the block and manifold drain plugs are in.

Chris....
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
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Nov 10, 2002
Messages
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I started doing pretty much all my own service in 2007 when I bought a drive jack & alignment tool. I figure drive service R&R yearly is about $500 so already saved $7000 on drive maintenance over 14 years. Despite the not great rep of OMC I have found the Cobra very easy to service, esp for the impeller and bellows. The engine maintenance was very easy because we grew up with GM cars with 350 V8s, Quadrajet carbs and points distributors. The things I had to learn were marine specific things like anti siphon valves, and other marine specific changes...
 

poconojoe

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Sep 10, 2010
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Many cases, that kind of tag is so the shop that winterized can make more money. That said, you had it out for a run it should be ok.

New to you boat means do all the maintenance before going again.
Change drive lube and replace impeller
Check drive alignment
Change oil
Change fuel filter
Check belts
I will add...
Check the condition of the bellows
 
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