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| My father-in-law passed away due to pancreatic cancer during the winter of 2000-01. He had a later model (1998, I think) Lund Pro-V with a 115hp Johnson, which he kept in immaculate condition. However, since his death the boat has not been used whatsoever and has just sat idle in an unheated garage in MN. Recently, my brother-in-law (who has very little boating or fishing experience) asked me to help him get the boat going again.
My knowledge regarding boat care and maintenance is also quite limited; I am smart enough to know to have my own boat winterized and otherwise serviced every year, but I don't know too much beyond that. The old batteries were shot, so I've replaced those. I've also otherwise inspected the boat, and everything appears to be fine and in working order.
My question is regarding the outboard. I believe that the fuel tank is about 1/2 full of gasoline that is at least six-years old. Any advice as to what should be done about this gas? I imagine it isn't a good idea to just go ahead and use it. Should I be worried about water in the gas? Is there an additive that I should use? Then just add new gas?
Any other recommendations regarding things to look out for?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Matt D.
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Posts: 1335
Location: Chicago, Beverly | I would disconnect the gas line and drain every drop of gas that you can out of that tank... fill it up at least part way and then put a gas additive like Seafoam or Bombardier's Fuel System Cleaner in the tank(if you go with the Bombardier stuff which is what I would use in every tank after its running good, also use the Bombardier CarbonGuard) and follow the directions provided on either can.. Also, Bombardier has a couple other products you can use too: Fuel System Cleaner, and Engine Tuner
Here are the links to Bombardiers stuff: http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Accessories/Product.htm?product=FuelC...
http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Accessories/Product.htm?product=ENGIN...
http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Accessories/Product.htm?product=Carbo...
http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Accessories/Product.htm?product=FuelS...
and sea foam: http://www.seafoamsales.com/motorTuneUp.htm
one other thing to check into is ask the guys at the bass boat central website, they have a forum there just for Johnson/Evinrude outboards http://bbcboards.zeroforum.com/zeromain and might be able to cover anything I missed here
Edited by kevin 8/30/2006 5:36 PM
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| Here is a link to a FAQ on just this subject:
http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=36;gtid=10355...
TAN |
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Posts: 7083
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | This might be the lazy guy in me talking, but I would say the best advice in this scenario would be to bring the boat/motor into reputable dealer in the area. The gas would be what scares me the most, being that I once let a tank of mixed gas sit for 5 months without putting stabilizer in it, and it ruined my lower gear casing. Just draining would could be 6-10 gallons of gas is a tough/dangerous chore. Beyond that, the carbon build up in the carbs, dead plugs, water in the oil, all of these can be REALLY bad for the boat.
The motor is probably worth $4K, spend $200-$300 today, so that you dont have to pay $1K in the future in major repairs. |
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Location: Athens, Ohio | I agree, don't use that gas, take it to a used oil recycling station and be sure to drain any gas out of any reservoir in the motor, itself, then take the motor to a dealer for a checkup, tune up, and service. Very likely the lower unit seals have gone dry, and may need replaced. Have the lower unit oil changed, too.
Best to deal with it now and not a mile from the dock on your first time out. Also, check the tires for dry rot, lube up the hubs, make sure all the light wires on the trailer and in the boat didn't get nibbled on by small critters whil;e it was sitting. m |
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Posts: 734
Location: Watertown, MN | Matt
I would take her to a dealer unless you mechanically inclined. I would dump the gas, check all gas lines for weather or cracked due to it sitting for several years. Replace Lower unit grease, new plugs, new batteries. Check tire on trailer, also I would get the bearing repacked and checked.
Troyz |
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| Thanks for the help guys. I figured that we might as well take it into a service shop, as I'm a bit leery about draining and disposing of the gas. I really appreciate all the advice and links to the other info.
Matt D. |
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