Thanks Chris. First time boat owner here getting ready to launch 97 EC Cruiser. Running through my checks and your demonstration helped immensely to get me in the right mode. Appreciate your help.
For removing fuel and oil filters, I find using a zip lock baggie to cover the filter while I unscrew them to catch the mess. Close the bag and toss overboard to minimize the mess.
Hi Chris Boats - 2005 Bayliner Bowrider with 4.3l Mercruiser Just performed hose test. Water did not come out of transom but ended up in the bottom of the engine compartment. Water seems to be coming out on the right side somewhere. Did not spray out - just straight down into the engine compartment.
Chris, keep up the great videos! They have been extremely helpful. Watched several of your winterizing videos last year to get my boat put away. Cranked up easy this year and we have already been out on the water a bunch. Also replaced my exhaust flappers, and going to be replacing my trim solenoids soon! Your videos are spot on, and I really dig the Wisconsin accent. Peace brother!
Please excuse me sir as I'm new to boating this year and have already learned a lot from you. But having the hatch open does not mean you don't need to run the blower, as the fuel fumes are heavier than the air and would collect in the sump. I recently replaced my blower and it came with a sticker that recommend it'd be ran when you're not at cruising speed. Thanks for your help I plan on winterizing my boat soon and we'll be following your direction.
Thank you for your videos. I’m learning a lot from you. I have a question about adjusting idle speed on mercruiser 3.0. I was hoping you can make a video showing me how to do it.
@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka That would be HUGELY appreciated! I was told to undo a cable before i get to the idle screw but just not sure how to do it in water , if it should be in neutral, or in gear moving forward....my boat keeps dying when it goes to neutral in the water....it seems to be shifting fine once in gear but it dies and bogs down everytime i put it into neutral....i was told it also could be the fuel/air adjustment if the idle screw doesnt work...im a complete newb but learning lol
Hello, what propeller do you use on your boat, mine is quite similar to yours, unfortunately my propeller is broken and I need a new one. Thanks for the help.
I have a 496 mercury inboard do I need to run water threw it with the water muffs before I start it? It was drained before winter and so there is still air in the system
If the fuel water separator just separates the water from the gas, can you just let the current one dry out for several days and put it back on? I don't see a need to buy a new one.
You mentioned the impeller and pointed to the outdrive. The impeller is actually inside the water pump on the engine. But yes…please change impeller every 1-3 years depending on use and always use motor muffs when running engine out of water
It looks like you had the cracks fixed where the engine mounts. What was the deal with that? Was the wood rotted? And what did it cost to have fixed if you don't mind me asking
No rotten wood. The previous owner had water in there over winter. It expanded to create the cracks. I fixed it. I sanded any loose fiber glass and glassed over. Probably cost me less than $100.
You have the best boat repair videos ever!!! Quick question, I have gear lube coming out of the propeller😒 the reservoir is not empty, leaked all out. Is that the seals and is it doable or should I leave it to the shop. Thanks in advance you are the BEST
How about oil priming? Mercruiser service manual says you have to do oil priming if boat sits more than 6 months. Should I worried if my boat sits 7 or 8 months?
Thank you for the videos. Your engine took about 5 sec of cranking to start right up. Mine takes about 20 sec off water. I ran it for 5 min and then later when I got to the lake and put it in it wouldn't start after 20 sec of cranking. I got a new battery too. Any ideas how I can get it to start? Last week it took 20 sec of cranking but started and we spent day on water. Now it's not. Any help appreciated.
@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka okay, trying to figure out whats going on with my boat, I drained the block and manifolds and a couple days later went to change the oil, and it was a cooler day, (high 40s) so I thought It would be best to warm up the oil so it would pump out better. But noticed when running the boat on the water hose the warning buzzer came on and it was nearing 200° on the temperature gauge, so could it be possible the cooling system had some trapped air pockets or maybe debris clogging it? I had run the boat on the water 2 weeks before and never got over 140° what would be the next step to finding the fix? I ordered a new impeller kit since I bought the boat used and was not certain on when it was last replaced. What should I do first? Fill or flush block out with raw water by adding water from the top hose? Or replace impeller first and try again that way?
@@ryansimnacher5459 first replace impeller. Start there. Make sure no debris got sucket up lower end. Count impeller bladed. Make sure you have them all. Broken or not broken
Depends on you WOT. Wide open throttle. You want your RPMs at about 4500 at wide open. Between 4300 and 4800. I have a 4 blade 21 pitch and it's perfect. But, it can vary
Thanks Chris. First time boat owner here getting ready to launch 97 EC Cruiser. Running through my checks and your demonstration helped immensely to get me in the right mode. Appreciate your help.
Best boat channel on UA-cam. Thanks!!!
You get a boat?
Holy cow, I wish my engine was that open to work on!
I had the back bench out. I can't hardly reach it with it in
Thank you so much for great videos. I bought my first boat with sterndrive this summer and your videos have been incredibly helpful. Thanks again!
For removing fuel and oil filters, I find using a zip lock baggie to cover the filter while I unscrew them to catch the mess. Close the bag and toss overboard to minimize the mess.
Good tip
Great video it’s make simple job for beginners.
Perfect ty I have a 2007 4.3l so this is great I'm gold
Hi Chris Boats - 2005 Bayliner Bowrider with 4.3l Mercruiser
Just performed hose test. Water did not come out of transom but ended up in the bottom of the engine compartment. Water seems to be coming out on the right side somewhere. Did not spray out - just straight down into the engine compartment.
Thank you Brother. Well done.
Thank you kind sir
Chris, keep up the great videos! They have been extremely helpful. Watched several of your winterizing videos last year to get my boat put away. Cranked up easy this year and we have already been out on the water a bunch. Also replaced my exhaust flappers, and going to be replacing my trim solenoids soon! Your videos are spot on, and I really dig the Wisconsin accent. Peace brother!
Glad they helped. Please don't insult me. It's a Minnesota accent. Lol jk. Enjoy boating
Please excuse me sir as I'm new to boating this year and have already learned a lot from you. But having the hatch open does not mean you don't need to run the blower, as the fuel fumes are heavier than the air and would collect in the sump. I recently replaced my blower and it came with a sticker that recommend it'd be ran when you're not at cruising speed. Thanks for your help I plan on winterizing my boat soon and we'll be following your direction.
Correct.
Bro I’m changing my fuel filter I’ve been looking for it lol I have 2001 chaparral 5.0 and I love it
Glad it helped
Thank you for your videos. I’m learning a lot from you. I have a question about adjusting idle speed on mercruiser 3.0. I was hoping you can make a video showing me how to do it.
It's a little screw to the right on the carb. Very easy.
I can make a video this weekend
@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka That would be HUGELY appreciated! I was told to undo a cable before i get to the idle screw but just not sure how to do it in water , if it should be in neutral, or in gear moving forward....my boat keeps dying when it goes to neutral in the water....it seems to be shifting fine once in gear but it dies and bogs down everytime i put it into neutral....i was told it also could be the fuel/air adjustment if the idle screw doesnt work...im a complete newb but learning lol
@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka THANK YOU!
@@mldn007 it could be a shift cable kill switch. I'll share a link to look for that
Hello, what propeller do you use on your boat, mine is quite similar to yours, unfortunately my propeller is broken and I need a new one.
Thanks for the help.
Chris knows his stuff in boats ⛵🚢
Thank. Lots to learn
I have a 496 mercury inboard do I need to run water threw it with the water muffs before I start it? It was drained before winter and so there is still air in the system
Hey man, how you doing, question do you have any video? How can I replace the power steering pump for this motor?
If the fuel water separator just separates the water from the gas, can you just let the current one dry out for several days and put it back on? I don't see a need to buy a new one.
I mean I guess you could dump the water out. But, the filter might not work as well after to much use
You mentioned the impeller and pointed to the outdrive. The impeller is actually inside the water pump on the engine. But yes…please change impeller every 1-3 years depending on use and always use motor muffs when running engine out of water
The impeller is in the lower part of the outdrive.
On an Alpha 1 Gen II it’s actually above/attached to the lower unit part of the outdrive.
Bravo units have the pump belt mounted on the engine...
It looks like you had the cracks fixed where the engine mounts. What was the deal with that? Was the wood rotted? And what did it cost to have fixed if you don't mind me asking
No rotten wood. The previous owner had water in there over winter. It expanded to create the cracks. I fixed it. I sanded any loose fiber glass and glassed over. Probably cost me less than $100.
It took 3 days. Had to let the layers of glass dry. I bet it took 10 hours. Not including the dry time.
a question could use this engine salt water? I bought sea ray 1992 same engine
Yes....but with an open cooling system in salt water you should flush the engine after each use to prevent corrosion.
@@sean7225 thank!
Hi Chris, my boat is not circulating the water when I put the hose so that you think it is it also turns on and off
@@sean7225 What do you do if the boat is moored in brackish water?
You have the best boat repair videos ever!!! Quick question, I have gear lube coming out of the propeller😒 the reservoir is not empty, leaked all out. Is that the seals and is it doable or should I leave it to the shop. Thanks in advance you are the BEST
In my opinion bring that repair to a shop. Then can pressure test it
And thank you
How about oil priming? Mercruiser service manual says you have to do oil priming if boat sits more than 6 months. Should I worried if my boat sits 7 or 8 months?
Did I understand correctly that you don't have to drain the antifreeze from the engine block as long as it's the bio degradable kind?
Meaning you can take it right to the lake and not drain it.
Thank you for the videos. Your engine took about 5 sec of cranking to start right up. Mine takes about 20 sec off water. I ran it for 5 min and then later when I got to the lake and put it in it wouldn't start after 20 sec of cranking. I got a new battery too. Any ideas how I can get it to start? Last week it took 20 sec of cranking but started and we spent day on water. Now it's not. Any help appreciated.
Check spark plugs. Otherwise pop the motor in neutral and give it a little gas while you start. This helps get more fuel to the engine while cranking.
Quick question. The tilt limit switch on my 1986 4 winns has broken off with the wires still attached. Does this have to be replaced immediately ?
Not really if you have a trailer up button.
Thanks Chris, how do you know when the lube points are lubed right? Cant find anything on this.
Just pump a couple times.
hey chris how are u, question, how do i know my solenoid is no longer working, because i try to turns on my boat and it just click
If it's a single click it might be your starter which has gone out.
If you just drain the block, come summer can you run in on the hose, or should you fill it with raw water first before running?
Either one. I always run it on the hose to make sure it is circulating water.
@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka okay, trying to figure out whats going on with my boat, I drained the block and manifolds and a couple days later went to change the oil, and it was a cooler day, (high 40s) so I thought It would be best to warm up the oil so it would pump out better. But noticed when running the boat on the water hose the warning buzzer came on and it was nearing 200° on the temperature gauge, so could it be possible the cooling system had some trapped air pockets or maybe debris clogging it? I had run the boat on the water 2 weeks before and never got over 140° what would be the next step to finding the fix? I ordered a new impeller kit since I bought the boat used and was not certain on when it was last replaced. What should I do first? Fill or flush block out with raw water by adding water from the top hose? Or replace impeller first and try again that way?
@@ryansimnacher5459 first replace impeller. Start there. Make sure no debris got sucket up lower end. Count impeller bladed. Make sure you have them all. Broken or not broken
So....This is what I spend $1200 each spring for the guys at the marina to do???
Hey man you’ve helped me before and thought I’d ask…. I have a late 90’s 4.3 and need a new prop. What sizes would work ?
Depends on you WOT. Wide open throttle. You want your RPMs at about 4500 at wide open. Between 4300 and 4800. I have a 4 blade 21 pitch and it's perfect. But, it can vary
@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka you rock! Thanks! So basically I’ll have to call a shop and they’ll ask me boat size, purpose, passengers etc?
@@johnsnow5167 yes. I have a 2001 20 foot same motor. 21 pitch 4 blade works best for my boat. It had a 23 pitch 3 blade. Both good.
What size of muffs do you have on the sterndrive?
Unsure the size but, big enough to cover the holes. I use rectangle muffs.
Uh oh! I just dewinterized and have a leak in my lower unit gasket. All is well otherwise. Is that fairly easy to replace?
It's actually the seal where my upper gearcase connects to the unit. Water pushing out of the gasket when running.
It's the bell housing gasket it looks like I need to replace...
@Chris Boats Can I reach out to you via email? I have a question on something you would recommend with my back bench/sun deck/engine cover. Thanks!
Good video but concrete draining batteries is a myth
Good to know. I've heard that for years. But, I've never had a problem. I still like to put them on wood incase any leaking.
Worthless
Thank you
@@BigIslandMNMinnetonka sorry but I liked most your other videos 👍
@@dumpsterfire6351 no worries.