Hello all,

I just got my first boat last weekend. It has a MERC 8HP engine. Not sure the year of it, I'm assuming around 00-03 cause it looks like the newer mercury's I have seen on the net.

Im new to all this so bare with me plz.

What are some neccessary things I MUST do to this motor to ensure a long prospering relationship between us both. ;D Lets say after each season, winterizing and such.

What is it you fine anglers do to take care of your pride and joy?

Thanks in advance!

P.S. Im not really mechanically inclined(but willing to learn anything), live in an apartment and have very little tools.

Run good oil

Decarb every 50 hours

Change water pump impeller and grease spline on drive shaft every three years

Winterize/grease and change oil in LU every fall.

Don't run old, stale gas.

Buy a Seloc or Clymer manual for the motor; you'll find winterizing instructions there. If you're at all mechanically inclined, the manuals will take you through all of the necessary maintenance and repair procedures. Not only can you save a ton of money, but you won't lose weeks of the season waiting for a shop to get to your motor when you have a problem. To determine your motor year, call a Merc dealer with the serial and model number. They can tell you in 2 seconds what year it is.

Very nice thank you.

Congrats on the motor.  If you allow your boat to set long periods,  always run the gas out of the carbs,  gas can gel over long periods, causing lots of $$$ for carb re-build kits which are not that expensive on some models, the money is spent on marine mechanics doing the labor.  Add addititives to gas left in tanks over long layup periods if your gonna use the old gas.  The lower unit has a screw hole to observe the gear oil level.  Any merc dealer can give you recommended maintenance intervals and suggested oil use.

I run the gas out of it when I tie up to go get my truck each time I go fishing.

Thanks for the tips folks!

After every trip or before every trip, I like to put muffs on the motor and clear the filter out. Probably isn't necessary but I figure it can't hurt.

Others have given good advice.  The manuals are a must have... and don't worry, they are well written and people with little or no mechanical experience can follow along on most of what you'll want to attempt yourself.    

The most important advice is to not let it sit up for long periods of time.  Fish year round... or your motor will not like you!!  

The most important advice is to not let it sit up for long periods of time. Fish year round... or your motor will not like you!!

well, yankee_bassman, justtrying said, tongue in cheek, "if the Lord had meant for people to live in them there kind of places, He wouldn't have made South Carolina!"  Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

LOL....my kid sister just came back from a training seminar in South Carolina...she said between the huge snake in the road, the  'gator in the front yard of the hotel, thousands of land crabs running everywhere, and the Gecko that ran over her hand on a stair bannister, she thought she was on some kind of Animal Planet candid camera show. I only spent a little time in Charleston, but I could live there.....not much  shoveling to be done in winter, for sure....

I know your pappy did it, your grand pappy and his pappy ran the gas out of his motor and never had a problem but unless you store the motor inside, that's not a good thing to do.  You should drain the carbs and pruge the pump and lines.

When you just cut the motor off, it leaves a heavy film of oil coating the inside of the motor.  When you run the gas out, it leaves the inside of the motor basically dry.  During night time cooling and daytime warming, metal builds condensation, when run dry there's only minimal protection from this condensation and the crank, rods/bearings can rust and pit them, causing them to fail.  

I've pulled several motors down that have done this.  Every one was where the owner ran the gas out and left them on the back of the boat.  

It's also dangerous to do this on multi-cylinder engines because one cylinder and run out long before the others and not be getting any lube while the motor is still running.

Amen to South Carolina.