What do you do with your stern drive cleaning/ care?

[dburne]

So we are now into our second season with our new Sport 190. Having a blast, and absolutely love the boat.

I tend to be somewhat anal about keeping the boat as clean as possible, have to store it outside due to the size of the my garage doors not being big enough to get the boat in the garage which would be ideal, but I do have the full cover over it, and we clean it very good inside and out after each outing.

One area I seem to be struggling with, is the lower unit. The upper part of the lower unit, has that chalky white residue on it - from what I have read would be lime. The lower part, the fin below the plate on the lower unit, is just as shiny black as it was the day we bought it. I would really like that upper part to be that way again as well.

One recommendation was CLR - I got a bottle of it, and mixed it with some water and scrubbed the lower unit with it and a soft brush. It seems to have tried to remove it, but did not do so great a job, still have some chalky white coating on it. I know one has to be careful as some of these cleaners would eat away at the sacrificial anodes.

Curious what you seasoned guys do about this? Should I just give up and let it be, accepting that is the way it is going to look - or should I clean harder, perhaps use something different, and maybe get it back to it's original black shine?

Thanks for any tips,

 

[Dave S]

The easiest way to permanently eliminate the "chalking" is to install a drive shower. http://www.driveshowers.com/

 

[dburne]

The easiest way to permanently eliminate the "chalking" is to install a drive shower. http://www.driveshowers.com/

Now that is very interesting, I did not realize such a thing existed. Looks like a neat product, will have to give that some serious thought... like the idea of running the drive cooler as well.

Thanks for the link,

 

[Dave S]

Simrek makes a great product. I had a Drive Shower installed on my Bravo 3 on my 240SD.

 

[dpmulvey]

All the go fasts in this area run them.

 

[dburne]

Thanks guys, I think I am going to order one of these and give it a try.
I like the idea that if I ever can get this chalky white off my stern unit and back to a good shine, this shower thing will keep it from recurring!

 

[OllieC]

Don,

I was looking at one of these myself. I believe the chalkiness also has to do with the heat coming off the drive that isn't in the water. Let us know if the shower works for you as it should cool off the drive as not to cook on the deposits.

Ollie

 

[dburne]

That would certainly make sense, as the lower part of the outdrive that pretty much stays in the water all the time - has the same nice black sheen to it that it had when I got it.
I would very much like the whole drive unit to look that way as well at all times.

I will let you know once I get it and get it on and running , of course got to get this chalkiness off first as well.
I had tried diluting some CLR with some water ( bout 50/50), maybe I should try with no diluting and little more elbow grease...

 

[gumbyjb]

The Works toilet bowl cleaner is also a good outdrive cleaner. Cheap and easy to use.

 

[dburne]

The Works toilet bowl cleaner is also a good outdrive cleaner. Cheap and easy to use.

Thanks for the tip, I will pick some up and give it a try.

 

[dburne]

Hey guys,

One last question before I invest in one of these - any downside at all to having the Drive Shower?
According to the website, with the mounting method they now use, does not affect the warranty... I did get the extended 5 year warranty on the motor package, just want to be sure... I certainly would not think so, would seem to me one could remove the unit and never know it was ever installed...

It also says does not affect top speed, not that it would matter to me as I never really run WOT, like to cruise around 25-30 mph.
I wouldn't think it would effect steering and/or handling either?

Thanks,

 

[Nehalennia]

Before you go out buying something that may not be needed. Let's see some pics of your drive. I don't think you need a drive shower. Seems overkill. You have an Alpha one drive which do not run as hot as the Bravo IIIs.

 

[dburne]

Before you go out buying something that may not be needed. Let's see some pics of your drive. I don't think you need a drive shower. Seems overkill. You have an Alpha one drive which do not run as hot as the Bravo IIIs.[/QUOTE

Ok I will hold off a bit, next time I pull it up into the driveway and uncover, will lower the stern and get some good pics of it. I thought I might already have some but don't see them anywhere. Hopefully next weekend... weather turned out crappy here today.

Thanks,