Already looking ahead to spring

[just ducky]

Yeah I know, wishful thinking when it's single digits out. But then I'm always the optimist, and before we know it it'll be March...April...May...and us boaters are all bored to tears anyway, right?

I've had lots of small outboards from 2 to 15 hp, and I'm good at doing the typical tune up in the spring. But this is a Merc 50, 2 stroke that I bought in April of '06. I had all the typical winterization items done at my local dealer in the fall, including having the lower unit oil changed, but I'm not used to an engine being "fogged" for the winter. My question relates to spring start-up procedures when this is the case. I understand that it will smoke a lot until it clears itself, but do I also have to change the plugs after the first start up, or will they be fine? What other things will I be needing to check to get her back in the water.

[just ducky]

bump! Can't believe none of you boat fanatics are giving me any input on "springizing" my motor. Must be you're all suffering hangovers from the "stupid bowl" :lol:

[FishTales]

Just Ducky,
There's not much to do in the spring. Put the muff's on it, start it up and let it burn off the fogging oil. If it runs ok, fine, if not then install a new set of plugs. You should be ready to go. That's about it.
Rich

[just ducky]

Just Ducky,
There's not much to do in the spring. Put the muff's on it, start it up and let it burn off the fogging oil. If it runs ok, fine, if not then install a new set of plugs. You should be ready to go. That's about it.
Rich

Rich,
I figured there wasn't much to do, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that you should change the plugs after burning off the oil...probably dreamed it. With the weather right now, I'm just hoping that someday we HAVE open water again :lol:

[FishTales]

Just Ducky,
Are you dreaming now ? :dizzy:
I just said to burn off the fogging oil and if needed change the plugs. :lol: :lol:
Rich

[flinch]

I have a 75 merc 2 stroke and just take it to the the lake and go in the spring. I don't "burn off" the fogging oil or bother changing the plugs. I looked at them once after the first spring trip and they were perfect, so since then I don't worry about it.

[FishTales]

You can do it either way, If you do it like I suggested,
1. When you get to the ramp you know it will start
2. You will have a better idea if your plugs are ok by how it idles before you go.
Rich

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

if you don't run the motor before you hit the boat launch, don't be surprised if you have prolems. also, if you don't run it before you go out, and a C.O. or marine police see you start it up and all that crap shows up in the water,
you***********just might get a special coupon***************for polluting the water! something you might want to think about. the lake is not your toilet!
as far as the plugs go, allways carry an extra set with you and the tools needed to change them and all will be good.

[just ducky]

Just Ducky,
Are you dreaming now ? :dizzy:
I just said to burn off the fogging oil and if needed change the plugs. :lol: :lol:
Rich

I realize you said that, but what I thought was that you HAD TO change the plugs, no matter what, after fogging. Obviously if it isn't running well, the plugs will be changed.

[The Whale]

I realize you said that, but what I thought was that you HAD TO change the plugs, no matter what, after fogging. Obviously if it isn't running well, the plugs will be changed.

Yes by god you are correct, you MUST change your plugs no matter if your motor is running fine or not, or the spark plug police will ticket you and you will not catch any fish ! :rolleyes: :lol:

C'mon, if the motor is running fine after you fire it up, why in the world would you "have" to change the plugs ?

[waterfoul]

I've been running the same Merc 50 since I was a teenager... about 25 years or so. Fogging oil will burn right out... but do this at home on the muffs. Then pull a plug after all the smoke has cleared. Good plug? Put it back and go boating. Black and sooty? Change em out. My motor runs on gap-less plugs so they don't foul much, if at all. I haven't changed plugs in my motor in about 10 years and ask anyone who's ever fished with me... it starts first turn of the key every time and never misses a beat.

So...

Start
Smoke
Check
Go fish