Anonymous
01-21-2003, 11:48 PM
Engineman
normal member in standard member. 1. Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
Well folks it is that time of year again (at least for me). Spring is sprung and time to get the boat out of the cob webs.
When getting ready it is a good idea to make the following checks:
New Oil and Filter for engine and transmission (if applicable)
New Fuel Filter
Check all belts and hoses for chalking, wear, bubbles, or cracks and replace or adjust as needed.
Check the raw water pump impeller for setting or missing blades-and always find the missing blades.
Check the zinc if you are fresh water cooled.
Check the anti-freeze level if you are fresh water cooled.
If you have standard or electronic ignition open the cap and look for corrosion and clean or replace.
If the boat has been on a trailer make sure the prop shaft spins good or check the alignment.
MAKE SURE YOUR FUEL SMELLS LIKE FUEL BEFORE YOU START THE ENGINE!!
Check the battery terminals for corrosion and clean. Should clean anyway for practice.
After the first start:
LOOK FOR LEAKS-FUEL;WATER;EXHAUST
Check the guages and make sure they are working.
Make sure the raw water is flowing (if it is the risers will be easy to touch)
Battery charge voltage should be about 13.5 to 15.0.
Oil pressure should be 35-80psi.
Insurance is a neccessary evil. But we all need to pay attention to it.
However engines cost a "little" more than insurance and we try to avoid that big nut.
As always I am available for your questions so feel free to post or e-mail me direct.
Start the season caching fish not fixing problems.
Tim
Date: 12:58 p.m. on 03-14-2001
colliedog
2. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
You make no mention of the transmission, steering oil, or trim tab oil. I am a new 246 owner and was wondering what if anything to check on these systems.
Date: 02:13 p.m. on 03-14-2001
Prior Engagement
premium member in standard member. 3. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
Collie Dog - Tim did mention the tranny. It should be checked for fluid level and changed once a year.
It is also a good idea to check the other items mentioned. Trim tab reservior is located in front of engine on the bulkhead. It has a line that shows the "normal" level. It takes A/T fluid. Hydraulic steering fill is located on top of the steering column behind wheel.
Taking the Prior Engagement out for her spring smoke test Saturday, weather permitting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair seas and tight lines,
Mike N.
Date: 10:35 p.m. on 03-14-2001
griglygrak
normal member in standard member. 4. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
"Check the zinc if you are fresh water cooled."
I'm not familiar with the zinc on a FWC engine. Can someone tell me what it is, and where I might find it?
john
Date: 08:01 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Prior Engagement
premium member in standard member. 5. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
G - It is located on the end of the heat exchanger drain plug (at least my PMC is that way). Replacing involves replacing the entire plug because the zinc is fabricated into to it. Will probably need to replace mine soon. Does anyone know where to get these for a newer PCM engine?
P.S. - Tim - thanks for the reminders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair seas and tight lines,
Mike N.
Date: 09:18 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 6. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
Mike - any decent marine chandlery will have those zincs in stock - take what's left, probably just the brass plug remains, and match it up. No problemo. Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 10:00 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Engineman
normal member in standard member. 7. Re:Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
griglygrak (03-15-2001 08:01 a.m.):
"Check the zinc if you are fresh water cooled."
I'm not familiar with the zinc on a FWC engine. Can someone tell me what it is, and where I might find it?
john
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The zinc in a fresh water cooled engine is at the forward end of the heat exchanger on the bottom.. A 9/16" wrench usually fits the hex head plug. If you are Raw Water cooled you do not have a zinc on the engine.
PS Also check other zincs while you are able.
Date: 11:25 a.m. on 03-15-2001
normal member in standard member. 1. Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
Well folks it is that time of year again (at least for me). Spring is sprung and time to get the boat out of the cob webs.
When getting ready it is a good idea to make the following checks:
New Oil and Filter for engine and transmission (if applicable)
New Fuel Filter
Check all belts and hoses for chalking, wear, bubbles, or cracks and replace or adjust as needed.
Check the raw water pump impeller for setting or missing blades-and always find the missing blades.
Check the zinc if you are fresh water cooled.
Check the anti-freeze level if you are fresh water cooled.
If you have standard or electronic ignition open the cap and look for corrosion and clean or replace.
If the boat has been on a trailer make sure the prop shaft spins good or check the alignment.
MAKE SURE YOUR FUEL SMELLS LIKE FUEL BEFORE YOU START THE ENGINE!!
Check the battery terminals for corrosion and clean. Should clean anyway for practice.
After the first start:
LOOK FOR LEAKS-FUEL;WATER;EXHAUST
Check the guages and make sure they are working.
Make sure the raw water is flowing (if it is the risers will be easy to touch)
Battery charge voltage should be about 13.5 to 15.0.
Oil pressure should be 35-80psi.
Insurance is a neccessary evil. But we all need to pay attention to it.
However engines cost a "little" more than insurance and we try to avoid that big nut.
As always I am available for your questions so feel free to post or e-mail me direct.
Start the season caching fish not fixing problems.
Tim
Date: 12:58 p.m. on 03-14-2001
colliedog
2. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
You make no mention of the transmission, steering oil, or trim tab oil. I am a new 246 owner and was wondering what if anything to check on these systems.
Date: 02:13 p.m. on 03-14-2001
Prior Engagement
premium member in standard member. 3. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
Collie Dog - Tim did mention the tranny. It should be checked for fluid level and changed once a year.
It is also a good idea to check the other items mentioned. Trim tab reservior is located in front of engine on the bulkhead. It has a line that shows the "normal" level. It takes A/T fluid. Hydraulic steering fill is located on top of the steering column behind wheel.
Taking the Prior Engagement out for her spring smoke test Saturday, weather permitting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair seas and tight lines,
Mike N.
Date: 10:35 p.m. on 03-14-2001
griglygrak
normal member in standard member. 4. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
"Check the zinc if you are fresh water cooled."
I'm not familiar with the zinc on a FWC engine. Can someone tell me what it is, and where I might find it?
john
Date: 08:01 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Prior Engagement
premium member in standard member. 5. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
G - It is located on the end of the heat exchanger drain plug (at least my PMC is that way). Replacing involves replacing the entire plug because the zinc is fabricated into to it. Will probably need to replace mine soon. Does anyone know where to get these for a newer PCM engine?
P.S. - Tim - thanks for the reminders.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair seas and tight lines,
Mike N.
Date: 09:18 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Leprechaun
premium member in standard member. 6. Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
Mike - any decent marine chandlery will have those zincs in stock - take what's left, probably just the brass plug remains, and match it up. No problemo. Rgds, Leprechaun
Date: 10:00 a.m. on 03-15-2001
Engineman
normal member in standard member. 7. Re:Re:Spring Commissioning Honey-Do List
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
griglygrak (03-15-2001 08:01 a.m.):
"Check the zinc if you are fresh water cooled."
I'm not familiar with the zinc on a FWC engine. Can someone tell me what it is, and where I might find it?
john
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The zinc in a fresh water cooled engine is at the forward end of the heat exchanger on the bottom.. A 9/16" wrench usually fits the hex head plug. If you are Raw Water cooled you do not have a zinc on the engine.
PS Also check other zincs while you are able.
Date: 11:25 a.m. on 03-15-2001