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How often should spark plugs be changed on an outboard? I have a 1990-1995 Mariner 115 hp. I take it out maybe 20+ times per year. What other routine maintenance do you guys do? Im no mechanic but I just want to get my boat in the best running condition as possible without having to pay a mechanic right now.
I change plug's,water pump imp,lower gear case lube every spring and gas filter's if any,you can do all this yourself.
you should ask youself how the boat runs right now before you do anything. I have an 04 tracker with a 60 merc 2st. I probably fish like you do in terms of frequency, but I don't run the 60 all that much as I troll within sight of the ramp alot. I do run to other spots at times, depends on my mood. I still have the oem plugs in, I checked them 2 yrs ago and they looked fine. My 60 starts right up, idles good when warm, its a bit moody when cold, the idle will jump around with the choke on but I'm use to it, and it never over revs as long as I play with the throttle a bit. I don't run the 60 hard, maybe 4K rpms is the most as I usually don't need to get anywhere that fast. If the motor is running good, then you may not want to mess with it too much. You can pull the plugs and check their condition for fouling, etc. here again, if it starts easy, runs good, does not miss under load, idles good, might be best to leave it be. continue what you're doing in terms of oil/gas mixture as it's not too much or too little.
in terms of other maintanence, should change the lower unit oil on a regular basis, check the owners manual for periodic maint. If you don't have the OM, you can download it. look on the forum and you should find a link for your brand, and go from there.
Yearly. My motor is a '94 Johnson and I consider plugs cheap insurance along with annual lower unit fluid changes and inline fuel filter change. I also remove the hub a couple times a season to remove any fishing line around the shaft and to apply a generous coating of grease to the prop shaft. All things that you can do yourself to save on shop labor costs. The only thing I take mine to a mechanic to do is chage the impeller every 2 years because I find it to be worth the hour of labor cost to the several hours of frustration on my current outboard.
All good advise however lower unit fluid should be changed after the last trip in the fall,,never leave the old fluid over winter, especially with the winters the nation has seen
Thanks, Im not sure how to change the lower unit fluid, but Im sure I can research that on here
i ve have mine serviced and tuned up before it gets cold every year
I put a lot of hours on my motor, usually around 5-600 hours a year. I change the lower unit every month and plugs every couple of months. Grease all fittings 2 or 3 times a year. Remove prop at least once a month to check for line wrapped around shaft.