Engine Maintenance ?

[rboat]

I have an older 4 cylinder, 2 cycle, carbed Evinrude engine. I change the plugs each year and the water pump every couple of years. I also clean the carb and change the fuel filter. Take off the prop to check for damage and replace the gear lube. I was wondering how often you should change the spark plug wires? Is there any other maintenance you recommend? I wish I could afford a newer model with fuel injection, but for now this will have to do. I runs good and I need to keep it going. Thanks.

[Fishing Rhino]

I'm going to make a suggestion. Get a spray can of CRC 666, and spray the powerhead and wires. Then, let it sit to dry out. It will protect the components from moisture and help to preserve the wiring as well.

On my lobster boat the old six cylinder gas engine would cough and sputter on damp, foggy days until it warmed up. I'd spray the 666 on and in the distributor cap and the spark plug wires as well. It would run like a charm.  Moisture would get into the distributor cap because the distributor was old, and it did not have a good seal to keep the crankcase gasses out.

It's especially helpful on salt water as it prevents or greatly reduces corrosion. Just mist it lightly. You don't need to have it dripping off the components.

 

It's just a bandaid for bad spark plug wires, but it will drive the moisture from the wires, and allow you to run until you can replaced them.

[Way2slow]

I change all the plug wires when one wire starts causing a problem. I've had motors from the 80's still running their original wires, and I've put new wires on a motor that caused problems within a few hours.

I change plugs every 50 to 75 hours, water pump impellers every two to three years, grease and lube it twice a year, and change LU lube and do the trailer bearings every fall when my fishing has slowed drastically. All I'm doing then is chasing strippers when the water is cold enough for them to move into the shallower channels.

[200racing]

  All I'm doing then is chasing strippers when the water is cold enough for them to move into the shallower channels.

 

i want to fish that lake!!!

[Way2slow]

Yea that would be fun, I guess I didn't catch I put an extra "p" in there.

[Fishing Rhino]

i want to fish that lake!!!

It's like fishing for catfish.  Dough is a great bait.

[papajoe222]

I had a 1957 Johnson 15hp. that I sold back in 2005. It still had the original plug wires and magnetos.  It would start on the first pull almost every try and all I did to maintain it is basically what you've mentioned.