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Post by unclebuck on Jun 26, 2018 12:56:19 GMT -5
Okay... So I'm kinda embarrassed to admit that my poor boat has been sitting on the rack for a looong time. Like 16 months. (very very sad)
2004 Yamaha F150
I already know there's going to be a laundry list of general maintenance, repairs, battery replacements, electrical issues, and cleaning. But I'd like some advice on what I might expect with the engine after such a long, unplanned slumber. I've already ordered a new water pump kit, oil filter, fuel/water separator, front fuel bowl filter, and engine/gear oils. Also planning to replace the timing belt due to age and the catastrophic damage if it fails. Thermostat and pressure valve were replaced a few months before storage. Luckily, the last 100 gallons I put in my fuel tank were non-ethanol, and treated with Startron.
I'm not even going to attempt to start the engine until I complete all the maintenance.
So, beside the stuff I mentioned, what hidden surprises am I likely to face? (I posted this thread on the old forum site as well. You can just answer here.)
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Post by fishnfool on Jun 26, 2018 13:21:37 GMT -5
So here's my $.02, take it or leave it...
Ethanol or non, after 16 months I would pump the gas and replace it. That's too long. Octane degradation, water build up in fuel due to ventilated fuel tank. I believe the general consensus is that non ethanol has a shelf life of about 6 months and while treated will help to prolong that, Startron does nothing for octane degradation. Pump it and replace it with fresh.
In addition to your laundry list, I would add spark plugs and check engine block anodes and replace as necessary. When was the last time the VST filter was inspected and replaced? Just because fuel has been sitting in your tank and fuel system for 16 months, as a precaution I would check/replace that too.
Did you fog the cylinders before lay-up? If not, you may want to do that when you replace the plugs just to get some lubrication in the cylinders for initial start up.
Check that the bilge pump is working properly by float switch and rocker switch.
Check batteries.
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Post by outtadblue on Jun 26, 2018 13:51:55 GMT -5
Like Chris said, fog the cylinders. I would check all cables (power and ground) from the batteries to the engines. Corrosion is the biggest problem on boats.
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Post by unclebuck on Jun 26, 2018 15:07:33 GMT -5
Thanks guys.
I think there's less than 20 gallons sitting in the tank. Putting another 80+ on top of that should minimize any degradation issues. (I really don't want to deal with disposing gas.) Maybe add some octane booster/injector cleaner as well. The run I'm planning to Islamorada in July will burn 45 of that mixed gas at cruising speed for 4 hours. And then I'll top off when I get there.
Plugs, injectors, and VST were replaced 6 months before storage. Less than 40hrs on 'em.
No, I didn't fog the cylinders prior to storage. I didn't expect it to sit so long. I know how to fog it when storing, but what about when waking it up? Remove plugs, spray in, turn the engine over slowly by hand a few times?
All the electrical stuff is on my list already. Absolutely replacing batteries and cleaning/tightening connections. Check all pumps, lights, electronics, etc. Reinstall sounder module. Install thru-hull transducer. It's a lot of work to do in a couple short weeks!
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Post by outtadblue on Jun 26, 2018 16:26:11 GMT -5
Sounds like you have it covered.
10-4 on removing plugs, spray, and turn engine over by hand. Should be good to go.
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Post by fishnfool on Jun 26, 2018 20:50:00 GMT -5
Yea man fill that tank with fresh 89 octane, Ring Free and a double dose of Startronamd you should be good there.
Good luck, sounds like a fun trip.
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Post by unclebuck on Jun 27, 2018 8:08:03 GMT -5
I've decided, when all the other maintenance stuff is done, to pump out a few gallons from the bottom of the tank to get an idea of what's brewing in there. If contamination is high, I'll drain it.
Visited my boat last night for the first time since Feb 2017. It's a mess, as expected. Batteries stone dead, as expected. Getting new batts today.
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Post by finatic on Jun 27, 2018 14:11:08 GMT -5
Wow UB, not going to add to your ( to do list) sounds well covered. I happy for you that you found time again to get back into your boat. Don't know how you went so long.
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Post by unclebuck on Jun 27, 2018 23:32:47 GMT -5
Don't know how you went so long. Simple answer: Money. While I am making some money as a self-employed artist, it's not quite enough, nor consistent enough to cover my monthly bills. I had to cut back wherever I could to extend my reserves as long as possible. As much as I love being out on my own boat fishing, it is a luxury expense. So, it sat. I'm refurbishing it now for two reasons: So I can use it again, of course... but also in case I have to sell it. This trip I'm planning to Islamorada in two weeks may be my last big journey on the Uncle Buck. Back on topic: I'm dropping a new 1KW Airmar B164 transducer through the hull tomorrow (Thursday). Even with all the other more critical maintenance items on the list, I decided to do this first, because it's much easier to install while the batteries are out. The 4200 will also have plenty of time to cure before getting wet. Question: Does anyone have a suggestion for how to clean all the mildewey black gunk from inside the bilge area? That shit is everywhere inside the hull. I don't even know how it gets there. I can't just blast the hose in there with all the electrical wiring and pumps and stuff. Is there a spray or foam or something that will loosen that gunk?
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Post by unclebuck on Jul 9, 2018 9:20:02 GMT -5
Update: Thru-hull transducer installation went flawlessly. The original electronics rigger was kind enough to leave a pull cord in the port wire tube, which made getting the transducer cable to the console a simple job.
The next 4 days of labor were spent on batteries, re-wiring the power sources for the sounder and chart plotter, fixing corroded speaker connections, replacing LED deck lights, and replacing the water pump, timing belt, spark plugs, fuel filters, oil filter, oil, gear oil, and topping off the steering fluid. The big question that was looming over the whole project was the fuel. About 60 gallons had been sitting in the tank for almost 2 years. I was fearing the worst. I pumped a gallon from various locations at the bottom of the tank. Miraculously, there was absolutely no water, no debris, and no visual signs of phase separation. I got a second opinion from my marina's mechanic, and even he was impressed. I went ahead and pumped 15 gallons into my truck anyway, because I'm sure there was some octane loss and I want fresh gas in the tank for my upcoming 250nm+ trip.
Splashed my boat for the first time in 16 months on Saturday. Got a little scare at first when the engine failed to piss water. I snaked the pee tube with some leader wire, which cleared out whatever was clogging it. Test run in the canal went well, so I loaded up my deep-drop rod and took the UB out for a 40nm shakedown fishing trip. Seas were calm enough to run flat out, with just enough wave height to get some air and really shake things loose. Found a few screws that needed to be tightened, and some zip-ties that popped from age, but otherwise no issues. Like the UB had never been off the water. And the new 1kW transducer... OMG why did I not upgrade years ago?!?! No problem reading depth in 1500ft at 20kts, and while dropping in 900ft I was actually marking fish on the bottom.
Next project is upgrading my speakers. For years I've had mids/highs and a sub, which do sound good, but I've always been missing that 'punchiness' in the 100-250MHz range. Waiting for parts to arrive today, but I've already built a t-top box for two 6.5"s which I'm moving up from the gunnels. The 6.5"s will be replaced by 8"s, and I'm adding two more 8"s in the rear. The 8"s should fill that need for bass above what the sub is designed to handle. I'll post before & after photos when that project is complete.
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Post by outtadblue on Jul 9, 2018 10:39:43 GMT -5
Great to hear UB. That boats has some miles and killed some fish. Glad she is back at it.
What brand speakers are you getting?
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Post by unclebuck on Jul 9, 2018 11:25:43 GMT -5
I went cheap. Rockville RMSTS80W 8" coaxials. They should be okay. I'd prefer JLs, but I didn't want to drop that kind of $$$ on speakers if I end up having to sell my boat in the near future. I also got a relatively inexpensive Clarion XC2510 5 channel marine amp to power everything. (50w x4 + 200w x1) Right now, the head unit is powering 4 speakers, and a 300w mono amp is powering the 10" JL sub.
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Post by soflah3 on Jul 9, 2018 14:29:20 GMT -5
Solid work Bill! Glad the FV Uncle Buck is running and fishing again! You know if you did all this work 8 weeks ago it would of been a whole lot cooler outside
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