Boat Bits

[Mikey B]

Ref: Outboard motor control cables and fuel.

 

With the boat standing idle for a few months now I thought I would give it a once over.

 

The controls cables to the outboard appear much stiffer to operate although there are no signs of any corrosion (just 2yrs old).

 

Can these be lubricated and if so how?

 

Should the fuel tank be drained or filled to the top, as I have been lead to believe unleaded petrol deteriorates with age.

 

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Mikey B

[Manic Moore]

 

 

Mikey,

 

You will need to disconect both ends, lift one and tie up higher than the other end. Tape some polythene around the top of the outer cable and fill with WD40. Allow it to soak down the cable and start working it. As the dried grease starts to wash out it will get easier to move. Once it is free, put some oil in your plastic funnel you made for the WD40 and allow that to work down the cable. Providing you have no strands broken, it will be as right as rain.

 

I believe petrol will go off after a few months and will start to gum up the engine so I would reccommend getting rid of the old stuff and put in just enough to run her up.

 

 

Gordon

[Mikey B]

Thanks Gordon, I'll give the cable trick a try.

 

I know the old 2 stroke oil gums up carb jets etc.

 

But does the same apply to clean unleaded fuel?

 

 

Mikey B

[Afishionado]

Quote....

 

As the dried grease starts to wash out it will get easier to move.

 

The VERY CAREFUL use of an electric hair drier on warm not hot helps to warm the cable and the waxy grease inside.

 

Petrol does go off as the more volatile hydrocarbons evaporate. Don't waste it or cause polution by sticking it down the drain, mixed in with your car fuel it will be fine even with 2T oil in it.

Having said that someone will undoubtedly scream foul with some esoteric reason why not, however I have done so at the end of each season for the last several million years and never had a problem.

 

Over to you Mr Doubting Thomas

 

Mad Mike

[Coddy]

Hi

 

Regarding petrol going "off", I have been advised by someone "in the know" (a chemist!?) that as long as the tank is full and is air tight there shoud not be a problem for a couple of months. If you wish you can add a fuel additive which "keeps" petrol longer.

 

I can confirm this thery, as I used an old can of fuel to start an outboard and the can's fuel was at least 1 year old but had not been left open to the air. Engine started fine.

 

As a tip for stuck cables, desiel makes a very good freeing agent for rusty parts or corroded cables, make sure you lubricate well afterwards

 

Hope this helps.

 

Coddy

Edited January 23, 2007 by Codfather

[Newboy]

If you go to a garden machinary centre, you can buy an additive (can't recall the name), it stablise the petrol and prevent it from going off for upto a year.