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Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11677751 06/20/16 02:58 PM
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Rickmb Offline
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Regular maintenance is certainly the key. I only use the manufacturers recommended fuel additives. I change the water/fuel separator filter at regular intervals.
One area I think helps is close engine instrument monitoring.
Many newer engines have the capability of being monitored closely. Engine temp and water pressure being the most critical.
I have mine connected to NMEA2000 instruments with digital readouts.
If I see my motor deviate from its norms by a few degrees I need to attend to something.
The death of a two stroke is usually caused by heat from a lean condition. This may occur in only one cylinder and may go unnoticed until catastrophic damage occurs. You will see it in the water temp if by only a few degrees.


2018 Skeeter ZX250
2018 Yamaha 250 SHO
Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11677759 06/20/16 03:01 PM
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Bigron119 Offline
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Four Strokes tend to last longer. There were some Yamaha SHO issues but that was technical problems. But the "wear and tear" use is better for 4 Strokes by the nature of their design. I have seen computer print outs for Coast Guard Honda's that were 7500 hrs and over 10,000 hrs with no major maintenance issues. (Only lower unit problems that they run through the oyster beds! Lol).
If you get 500 hrs on a 2 stroke then you are doing really good. Doesn't mean yours is going to blow but you have a good engine. Taking care of them is a key factor too! Ethanol Additives and Good oil and water pump changes are about all you can do. Sometimes a good spark plug change will make a difference.

Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11677926 06/20/16 04:11 PM
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bccougar Offline
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I put over 1700 hours on a mercury 150. been several years ago, but it was rock solid!



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Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11678122 06/20/16 05:25 PM
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Gamblinman Offline
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There is a guide on Fork that ran a Mercury 225 EFI for over 10 years, ran the cheapest oil, and regular maintenance was non-existent...motor had over 2500 hours on it and is still running as of March this year. As far as I know, the powerhead has never been worked on.

Keep good gas, good oil, perform regularly scheduled maintenance, and run preventatives to keep carbon build-up down and they will last for many hours.

My 2000 225 EFI gets used all year long, 3 to 4 times a week, and I have never been into the powerhead, except to replace the steel reeds with fiber reeds, and installed 300 Pro Max heads.

Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11678359 06/20/16 07:15 PM
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buggsboy Offline
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I think regular use-as in at least weekly-is very beneficial to the longevity of outboard motors, especially 2 stroke motors. The ones that go a month or longer between uses seem to blow sooner, according to my mechanic. His advice was to make a special effort to run mine as often as possible even if I didn't have time to fish. I am trying to follow his advice.

Last edited by buggsboy; 06/20/16 07:15 PM.

PB. 10 lb 12 oz
Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11678365 06/20/16 07:18 PM
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jb504079 Offline
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How many of you "flush" your motors after each trip? Or how often do you just attach the dog ears and let it run?

Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: jb504079] #11678994 06/21/16 12:12 AM
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Okie Poke Offline
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Originally Posted By: jb504079
How many of you "flush" your motors after each trip? Or how often do you just attach the dog ears and let it run?



Never.


😎 Dallas Cowboys....eventual Superbowl Champions 😎



Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: 361V] #11679135 06/21/16 01:13 AM
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patriot07 Online Content
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I've got a 1997 Evinrude Intruder 115 that's been bulletproof. One VRO pump, one power pack, a couple of impellers, and plenty of lower unit grease.


Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
- Soren Kierkegaard
Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11679139 06/21/16 01:14 AM
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IMHO - there's no way I'd touch a Yamaho SHO. If I was buying new, I'd look at a Merc or Evinrude ETEC.


Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
- Soren Kierkegaard
Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: patriot07] #11679202 06/21/16 01:43 AM
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jfe Offline
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I have only owned 5 outboard motors in the 60 years I've been fishing, but I have owned a lot of gasoline engines, both 2 and 4 stroke for various uses. I have had very little trouble. One of my cardinal rules has always been to let any engine warm up thoroughly at idle or very low rpm's. After that, I try to keep the rpm's at the lowest level that will get the job done.

That's my 2 cents worth.

jfe

Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11679393 06/21/16 03:19 AM
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bronco71 Online Content
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Motors are all different but my old Merc Black Max hates a lot of low rpm use, mechanic says to run it 6000 rpm often....and I have since 1980......


1987 Nitro MX185/Mercury Black Max 150
1999 Triton TX21/225 Mercury Optimax
Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: patriot07] #11679484 06/21/16 04:39 AM
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Andrew Y'Barbo Offline
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Originally Posted By: patriot07
IMHO - there's no way I'd touch a Yamaho SHO. If I was buying new, I'd look at a Merc or Evinrude ETEC.


Would you mind explaining this?

P.s. I would advise you to delete the vro. I've seen to many to pop.

Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11679579 06/21/16 11:55 AM
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reeltexan Online Happy
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I've owned OMC, Mercury, Yamaha, even a Suzuki.

They are all very good but I'd be inclined to buy Yamaha.


"..The pleasantist angling is to see the fish
Cut with her golden oars the silver stream,
And greedily devour the treacherous bait.
Bill Shakespeare





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Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11679663 06/21/16 12:42 PM
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Gamblinman Offline
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Some of the first SHO's did have an issue, but the newer ones seem to be great.

VRO's get a bad rap. More times than not, its something else that caused the failure.

Re: Outboard engine durability [Re: ChickenRancher] #11681071 06/22/16 01:22 AM
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Okie Poke Offline
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I've always ran 'em hard but with a very thorough warmup period.


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