Hi Guys! Just joined the forums and happy to be here 
So I just inherited the family boat. It's a Four Winns Horizon 190 Cuddy, original engine had the shortblock rebuilt back around 1985-87 just a year after it was purchased new. Anyway, I grew up on the thing and we actually had it out on the water running about 2.5 years ago.
However, the boat wasn't cared for properly at the marina we had it docked at.. They weren't changing the oil or doing any maintenance work on it at all. Even though we were paying them a few thousand dollars a year to do so. It had sat on it's trailer in the marina's lot for about a whole year. When we took it out the following season it kept stalling on us. So, we took it to a mechanic who said it looked like the engine hadn't been serviced in 5 years.. said the oil was very dark and tar-like and thats how we discovered that the marina wasn't doing maintenance. The engine did turn over and start for the mechanic then, but he said it sounded pretty bad. So, we took the boat home and it sat in our backyard for about another year..
My father is retiring and said the boat can become my project if I want it. So, I'd like to get it running properly again. First I would like to try starting the engine to see if it can at least idle.
Here is a list of what I plan to do in order from start to finish:
1.Replace battery (Nothing happens when I turn key so I think it's dead)
2. Drain out old oil and check for water mixed in. (I could use a source for how to change engine oil and filter if you guys have one)
3. Drain old gas out? Replace with fresh gas
4. Replace all spark plugs
5. Spray fogging oil into cylinders?
5. Attempt to start the engine (with hose and ear muffs hooked up of course).
What do you think? Is there anything else I'm missing before I try to get this thing started? If it runs decently well once I start it.. I plan to remove the outdrive and replace the impeller and exhaust bellow. Or, do you think I should play it safe and replace the Impeller before I even make my first attempt at starting it.
Here is a link to a short photo album of the boat: http://imgur.com/a/2cGnw
I'm only 24 and have basic knowledge of motors and car engines.. I think I can learn quickly enough to get this all done myself but I definitely need your guys advice and help to make sure I don't ruin this motor while trying to cold/old start it.
THANKS!!!
So I just inherited the family boat. It's a Four Winns Horizon 190 Cuddy, original engine had the shortblock rebuilt back around 1985-87 just a year after it was purchased new. Anyway, I grew up on the thing and we actually had it out on the water running about 2.5 years ago.
However, the boat wasn't cared for properly at the marina we had it docked at.. They weren't changing the oil or doing any maintenance work on it at all. Even though we were paying them a few thousand dollars a year to do so
. It had sat on it's trailer in the marina's lot for about a whole year. When we took it out the following season it kept stalling on us. So, we took it to a mechanic who said it looked like the engine hadn't been serviced in 5 years.. said the oil was very dark and tar-like and thats how we discovered that the marina wasn't doing maintenance. The engine did turn over and start for the mechanic then, but he said it sounded pretty bad. So, we took the boat home and it sat in our backyard for about another year..My father is retiring and said the boat can become my project if I want it. So, I'd like to get it running properly again. First I would like to try starting the engine to see if it can at least idle.
Here is a list of what I plan to do in order from start to finish:
1.Replace battery (Nothing happens when I turn key so I think it's dead)
2. Drain out old oil and check for water mixed in. (I could use a source for how to change engine oil and filter if you guys have one)
3. Drain old gas out? Replace with fresh gas
4. Replace all spark plugs
5. Spray fogging oil into cylinders?
5. Attempt to start the engine (with hose and ear muffs hooked up of course).
What do you think? Is there anything else I'm missing before I try to get this thing started? If it runs decently well once I start it.. I plan to remove the outdrive and replace the impeller and exhaust bellow. Or, do you think I should play it safe and replace the Impeller before I even make my first attempt at starting it.
Here is a link to a short photo album of the boat: http://imgur.com/a/2cGnw
I'm only 24 and have basic knowledge of motors and car engines.. I think I can learn quickly enough to get this all done myself but I definitely need your guys advice and help to make sure I don't ruin this motor while trying to cold/old start it.
THANKS!!!
