Pontoon motor first start of season

[mr geets]

I should be in Engines but could not get a "new red thread" to start one.

Anyway last fall, I came off the lake, loaded up and did a hot oil change on my EFI Merc 90. The engine has not been started to date and I plan to hit the water this weekend.

Should I drain a cup of oil out and put that much in the new oil filter prior to start or am I over analyzing this?

Any constructive comments appreciated

 

[crb478]

Re: Pontoon motor first start of season

I would make sure the filter is close to full of oil before starting the motor. If it hasn't been started I would even squirt a little oil in the cylinders through the spark plug holes. A little too much lubrication is better than too little.

 

[MinUph]

Re: Pontoon motor first start of season

Did you fog the engine before stowing it? If not then do put a couple drops in the cylinders and turn the motor over with the plugs out. Your filter should be fine. Fill up with fresh gas, put a rabbit ears on and start it up before you launch. Everything is easier on land. She will be fine. But if you didn't fog do it next fall.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Pontoon motor first start of season

You are overanalyzing. First, check the dipstick and check your oil level. Just make sure your battery has a full charge and turn the key to start the motor.

Let it warm up and go enjoy the day.

Did you change the lower unit lube at the end of the year? If not, change it. It just takes a $6 generic pump and a $5.60 quart of lower unit oil (Pennzoil @ Walmart.) That's a 15 minute job that so many people overlook. With lower units costing $2k new, maintenance is more than important.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Pontoon motor first start of season

AND: Your 90 has a hole in the back that will accept a garden hose. This means you don't need "muffs" to run it at home. Hook the hose up, turn the water on, make sure water is running out the bottom, and fire it up in your driveway.

Making sure it runs BEFORE you are on the ramp at the lake saves you a lot of trouble!

 

[mr geets]

Re: Pontoon motor first start of season

you are all the best!! Thanks for contructive feedback. Bunch of geniuses on this forum

seriously it is pretty dang nice to get some other opinions like these

 

[Water logged]

Re: Pontoon motor first start of season

AND: Your 90 has a hole in the back that will accept a garden hose. This means you don't need "muffs" to run it at home. Hook the hose up, turn the water on, make sure water is running out the bottom, and fire it up in your driveway.

Making sure it runs BEFORE you are on the ramp at the lake saves you a lot of trouble!

I've had 2 Mercury Mechs tell me that that hose hookup should be used to flush with the engine off and to only run the engine on muffs.
Not sure if that is accurate, but it's what I'm doing.

Glenn

 

[natedog337]

Re: Pontoon motor first start of season

AND: Your 90 has a hole in the back that will accept a garden hose. This means you don't need "muffs" to run it at home. Hook the hose up, turn the water on, make sure water is running out the bottom, and fire it up in your driveway.

Making sure it runs BEFORE you are on the ramp at the lake saves you a lot of trouble![/QU


Never run the engine on the garden hose flush. You need to run on muffs or engine damage can definitely occur... The garden flush is used for flushing salt water from system when engine is off only..