realistic tune up interval?

[jbmaine]

Hi all,

 I have a 20hp Honda on my Lund WC Delux. Every spring I give it a complete tune up. Every 2-3 yrs. I do the water pump. I always use fuel stabilizer in the gas and run the motor dry after every use. Every fall the motor comes off the boat and spends the winter in my heated basement. It is ten yrs, old and starts every time. I don't troll with it, just run to a spot and fish. I will continue to do everything needed to keep it running like a top.

 However, this year I am finding myself in a $$$ crunch. ( my overtime at work is gone for at least months) Looking at my fishing log for last year we did more fishing than running around. I don't think I ran more than 15 gals of gas through it all summer.

 So my question is, do you think it is necessary to do a complete tune up this year, or can I save some $$ without risking the motor

  Your thoughts on this would be very appreciated.

                                         Thanks

                                                  Jim

[fishnkamp]

I m not sure what you call a complete tune up.  If you mean replacing spark plugs. no I do not change mine each year unless I have idled a ton.  I would still replace the lube in your lower unit. You may still have some left over from last year, if not perhaps you can get a tube of it instead of a bigger quantity.  I would also replace the 4 stroke oil as that is the lifeblood of the engine. 

[Redlinerobert]

Regardless of whether I run 5 hours or 50 in a season I always start out by getting the motor serviced at the beginning of the fishing season after the boat has been in storage for a few months during the winter.  Preventative maintenance. 

[jbmaine]

Thanks for the replies.

 I'll bite the bullet spend the $$$.

           Jim         

[slonezp]

Gear lube annually. Plugs based on the manufacturer.  Mercury recommends every 100 hours for my motor and their plugs are 40 bucks a piece, so ill wait the 100 hours

[flechero]

Not sure what the true need is but when mine was newer the "annual tune up" ran $400-$500... and mine is a 1994!   Now I get the full "tune up" about every 4th-5th year.  I check lower unit oil regularly and change it when the color changes.  Plugs as needed.  These days, it seems like fuel lines rot out so fast it's a constant thing to check/change. (thanks to ethanol)

 

Oddly enough if the boat doesn't sit, it goes much further between services.