200hr/2yr Service here is what the impeller and plugs looked like

[Morpheus]

I'm no expert but they look like they are in pretty good shape to me. Impeller has a bit of a set to it but I think that's pretty normal, don't look worn at all. Plugs look normal except for the bit of rust on a couple of them.

 

[fc3]

Dark. Is the engine running rich or are those plugs too cold?

 

[Morpheus]

Dark. Is the engine running rich or are those plugs too cold?

Your gonna have to help me out here. The most I could tell you is those are spark plugs. :grin: Other then that I have no clue. I do know they go in my engine and are located in a place where my fat butt can't really reach.

ARe you saying the plugs look dark or the picture is dark.

HEre is a link to a bigger picture.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3698123690_72eb716921_b.jpg

Are you saying that where the spark is generated they look dark and should be lighter? I didn't take a picture of them until a few days after they were taken out if that has any effect on them from when they were taken out I don't know.

 

[Asureyez]

Impeller is over the hill, I doubt its pumping at 60% at low RPM's,

Plugs: look like they are running rich on fuel from the carbon build up. Do you idle a lot? Gap looks really wide? Incomplete combustion, lot of raw gas fumes at low RPMS?

 

[Morpheus]

Impeller is over the hill, I doubt its pumping at 60% at low RPM's,

Plugs: look like they are running rich on fuel from the carbon build up. Do you idle a lot? Gap looks really wide? Incomplete combustion, lot of raw gas fumes at low RPMS?

Impeller seemed to be working find at the time, was hard to tell since the H20 PSI sensor was not working never over heated.

I believe those are the plugs that came with the boat new I don't think they are changed till teh 200hr/2yr service I had about 80hrs when they changed them.

What would you consider idle a lot. From the dock at the house to out of the channel is all min wake no wake speed about 15 minutes of travel.

Other then that have done some trolling but usually run at atleast min wake for that. So I don't think I idle alot.

The gap I would hope was correct from the factory.

But if there is something I should do or need to do I'm all ears or if I should be telling the SM or Tech something just give the word.

 

[Dave S]

Why did you change the plugs to begin with? It is not necessary to change them with only 200 hours on the motor.

 

[fc3]

Normally the insulator should have a light tan color on them.

These are the plugs from my 1999 Lincoln Navigator. Put them in around 200,000 miles and pulled them out after 300,000.

Here's the book on spark plugs. This is Lincoln's, but they'll all say the same, except for two stroke engines.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[Morpheus]

Why did you change the plugs to begin with? It is not necessary to change them with only 200 hours on the motor.

Well I was about to tell you the service manual said so but now that I looked again I think Marine Max bamboozled me.

MM has 2 service plans Plan A and Plan B and they go back and forth. Year 1 they say doe Plan A and Year 2 Plan B and then back to Plan A at year 3 etc.

In the work order there were the price for the parts for the Plugs, Rotor, and Cap and for some reason I got it in my head that the Service Manual said to change them every 2 yr or 200 hrs.

Now that I look it says inspect them every 3 yr or 300hr :smt021

BUT it also says that about the Flame Arrestor and PCV Valve which the flame arrestor I thought was suppose to be cleaned yearly and the PCV valve change was part of the Plan B service.

The Service Manual also says the seawater pump/impeller should be services at 3yr/300hr as well but seems like that should be done yearly.

This has been eye opening :wow:

 

[Morpheus]

Normally the insulator should have a light tan color on them.

These are the plugs from my 1999 Lincoln Navigator. Put them in around 200,000 miles and pulled them out after 300,000.


Here's the book on spark plugs. This is Lincoln's, but they'll all say the same, except for two stroke engines.


Best regards,
Frank

I see what your saying now thanks. I'll need to ask about this I guess and see what they say.

 

[douglee25]

I would give it a quick tune up with plugs, wires, cap and rotor, fuel filter, and call it a day.

Does your engine come up to temp according to the gauge? If the thermostat is stuck open, your plugs could look blacker as well.

Personally I would do those above items and reinspect in another 50 hours.

Doug

 

[Dave S]

Morpheus

Picking intervals for various service items doesn't have to be rocket sceince but to me it is important to know WHY you need to perform that service. So let's talk about a few items as examples.

Sea Water Impellers- They can last a long time but much of that depends on the water you boat in. For instance if you are boating on a muddy river then by all means change it every year. It's just cheap insurance to prevent you from being stranded by an impeller that is not working properly. The sand and dirt content in the water is an abrasive and is contantly working like sandpaper on your impeller and housing to wear things down. If you boat on a clean fresh water lake then maybe it will go for three years. As a happy medium, I personally change out at 150 hours or every two years which ever comes first because I feel that is the safest thing for me to do.

Spark Plugs - If you boat in a salt water environment you might want to remove and check your plugs annually just to be sure the threads don't seize up in the block from the salt air. Otherwise, if the boat runs fine and gets respectable fuel mileage, don't worry about them. But after five years, I would change them out along with the wires. Might they last even longer? Sure but why push it.

Outdrives - Pull and service annually. There are just too many things than can go wrong not to do this maintenance. Drain the fluid regardless of hours if for no other reason than to check and see if it's milky meaning water is getting into the fluid. Check the condition of your gimbal bearing, u-joints, boots, etc and be sure your engine alignment is OK. Grease everything to the nines too.


I could go on but if you are a novice at this stuff ask a lot of WHY questions until you feel you understand before authorizing any maintenance.

Dave