Seasonal maintenance

[bwana50]

I'm curious when other members perform seasonal/annual maintenace, such as changing impellers and engine oil, checking trailer wheel bearings, etc.

(a) At the end of the season, while winterizing, or
(b) At the beginning of the next season.

Take engine oil, for example. On the one hand, I'd want it as "fresh" as possible so it'd make sense to change it when prepping for the new season; on the other, why let the contaminants in the old oil sit in the engine all winter? Same with wheel bearings - seems silly to repack 'em just before storing the boat for months, but if there is water or corrosion in there, I wouldn't want to let it sit in the hub for that time.

Maybe I'm just overthinking it...

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: Seasonal maintenance

I would change the oils at the end of the season and the impeller at the beginning.

[Socbum]

RE: Seasonal maintenance

I'm with Jeff.

I switched the impeller change one year to the end of the season before storage and the following summer (last summer) I had my first impeller failure. My theory is that the impeller sat all winter in one position which weakened the fins and by mid season a few of the fins broke off.

Watching the temp gauge go up and up and up is a very sick feeling!

[Familyman]

Any concerns with the oil sitting for the winter? (Similar to the old 3 months or 3000miles deal with a car)

Also do you change your impeller every year?

[scoke]

Any concerns with the oil sitting for the winter? (Similar to the old 3 months or 3000miles deal with a car)

Also do you change your impeller every year?

An impeller drying out is about one of the worst things that can happen to it.

Let last years sit through lay up period. First of season, swap out with new impeller. No worries after that. $25 preventive maintance.

[Quinner]

It's a good idea to remove the impeller at the end of the season or during lay-up. I have had good luck using impellers for several seasons before replacing, I do always keep a spare on hand however.

[bchesley]

Drying an impeller is bad for it. I think someone blew some smoke up your skirt. That makes absolutely no sense what so ever. You dont buy them in a wet condition.

Just pull your impeller out during layup and install as a summerize process and they will last two seasons.

Always change your oil before layup to keep the sulfuric acid build up from eating your cylinder walls.

[bscott]

You want to repack your wheel bearings at the end of the season before storing it for the winter. If there is any water in there, your bearings will rust. If you plan on replacing the bearings and races rather that just repacking the bearings, it probably doesn't matter.

[Familyman]

Thanks for the input! Sounds easier to get a new boat like Jeff each year!! :idea:

[Hollywood]

Familyman, how many hours are you putting on the boat per summer?

[Familyman]

I have an '07 211 that I picked up at the end of July.. Only have about 30 hrs on it. Expect to do about 75hr this summer if lucky. I had the oil changed prior to winter but since the boat is never exposed to temps below 50deg I didnt have it "winterized".

Just wanted to make sure that we can hit the water as soon as the temps are a little better or if there is more we should do to get ready (I.E. is it ok for the oil & impeller to just sit all winter long?)

[jjackkrash]

I change oil during winterization and change impeller during summerization.

[Quinner]

FamilyMan,

Leaving the impeller in most likely will not kill it just possibly shorten it's life. Leaving water in the motor and manifolds for extended periods of time can promote rusting, draining the block/manifolds/etc. and running some antifreeze through the system will help prevent that. A quick solution would be drain whatever water you can easily then run the boat drawing in some A/F, 4 gallons or so if you have a heater/shower. Just draining might even be better than having water just sitting there. My lay-up is usually 4-5 months so I also fog the cylinders and fill and treat the fuel. Also don't forget to change the trans fluid when required.

[east tx skier]

Drying an impeller is bad for it. I think someone blew some smoke up your skirt. That makes absolutely no sense what so ever. You dont buy them in a wet condition.

Just pull your impeller out during layup and install as a summerize process and they will last two seasons.

Always change your oil before layup to keep the sulfuric acid build up from eating your cylinder walls.

I don't think it's so much the drying out alone. It's that they sit in one position for months on end, the vanes (sp) get formed to that position and the efficiency to move water is lessened. Not an issue if they get pulled and reinstalled. But I still just leave mine in and replace in the spring (keep the old one as a spare).