20 maintenance questions game!

[jeffkukuruda]

Well I have owned my nautique (1998 Supersport/ Air) not even a year yet and now its time to really get it prepped and ready for the summer so a couple quesitons....

1. I'm now using the boat in brakish water and wondering how everyone flushes their boat? i grabbed one of those plunger looking things at west marine but that was a temporary fix and definitely not happy about it. Is there a fitting specifically for flushing the cooling system and motor? where do i get one?

2. About to change the oil for the first time, what's the general consensus on this GT-40 motor, mine is of the F.I. variety if it matters? what kind of oil is everyone using and oil filters? (boat has 350 hours on it) ppl using synthetic?

3. Where can i find info on quanties and basic maintenance info? my boat did not come with an owners manual/ repair manual and i would love to have one, where can i get one in paper form?

4. This is my first inboard ownership experience and wondering how often the impellar needs replaced?

Sorry for all the questions, just alot of stuff on my mind and wanting everything in top working order this spring, as it's almost wakeboarding season!

thanks alot in advance.

Jeff

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: 20 maintenance questions game!

Most answers can be found in the owner's manual. Click below for a copy.

1998 NSS Manual

[AirTool]

RE: 20 maintenance questions game!

you need to search this site using keywords like flush, impeller, lifters, valvoline?, etc.

You will find more information than you ever wanted.

[east tx skier]

Re: 20 maintenance questions game!

Well I have owned my nautique (1998 Supersport/ Air) not even a year yet and now its time to really get it prepped and ready for the summer so a couple quesitons....

1. I'm now using the boat in brakish water and wondering how everyone flushes their boat? i grabbed one of those plunger looking things at west marine but that was a temporary fix and definitely not happy about it. Is there a fitting specifically for flushing the cooling system and motor? where do i get one?

2. About to change the oil for the first time, what's the general consensus on this GT-40 motor, mine is of the F.I. variety if it matters? what kind of oil is everyone using and oil filters? (boat has 350 hours on it) ppl using synthetic?

3. Where can i find info on quanties and basic maintenance info? my boat did not come with an owners manual/ repair manual and i would love to have one, where can i get one in paper form?

4. This is my first inboard ownership experience and wondering how often the impellar needs replaced?

Sorry for all the questions, just alot of stuff on my mind and wanting everything in top working order this spring, as it's almost wakeboarding season!

thanks alot in advance.

Jeff

1. Perko flush pro or you can build your own with a T, a valve, and a hose fitting. I don't care for the plungers personally. While I don't regularly flush my boat, when I have to run it on the trailer, I attach flexible PVC hose to the transmission cooler (hull side) and drop it into a 5 gallon bucket that I feed with a hose. Boat pulls the water it needs and I never have to wonder if it's getting it or not.

2. Valvoline VR-1 20W50 is what I and several others use. Search for ZDDP will get you all the info on the "why" question. Filter - Motorcraft FL-1A or comparable.

3. See link to manual above.

4. I do it every spring and save the old one for a spare. Cheap insurance. It will last longer than a year, but I don't care to test the endurance of mine. If you do plan to use it longer, remove it at winterization and reinstall in the spring as the vanes tend to get formed to the water pump housing otherwise, thereby lessening its efficiency as a water mover.

Hope that helps. Enjoy your new boat.

[Chexi]

RE: Re: 20 maintenance questions game!

There are also the 351 and GT40 service manuals in the downloads section on this site. I downloaded the boat manual, and both service manuals and put them in a binder along with my perfect pass manual. Insert into an extra large ziplock bag, store in boat, and good to go.

[jeffkukuruda]

RE: Re: 20 maintenance questions game!

thanks for all the info everyone! looks like i got lots or reading and work to do in the next month!

[jaybird]

RE: Re: 20 maintenance questions game!

Congrads on your purchase of the inboard; once an inboard fan you may never go back.

We could debate oil and filters for years; in fact we did so I won’t go there.
If you don’t know when the fluids or filters were changed, Change them all, including the transmission fluid, V-box gear oil and gas filter. Being this boat is new to you consider checking the shaft alignment. The SS/Air is a V-drive right? Shaft alignment is a headache and not for the amateur. Consider getting someone experienced with this job. If you elect not to do a shaft alignment try turning your propeller by hand, if it turns free you’re probably OK skipping the alignment. Poor shaft alignment may cause transmission, strut bearing or shaft problems. A seasoned Nautique owner can feel the vibration from a bad alignment, bent shaft or prop. Finding someone in your area who knows V-drive Nautiques could save your hours of reading.

Change your impeller at the beginning of ever season, never at the end of the season. Aside from fatigue and wear many impellers fail at the beginning of the season from having set in one position all winter. This effectively causes the impeller veins to become set to the shape of the housing concentric, thus when they start rotating they fail to pump properly.
Just read the manuals on this site to get the general idea then ask what you don’t understand. Inboards are easy to self maintain when compared to IO’s or outboards. GOOD LUCK!

[DanielC]

RE: Re: 20 maintenance questions game!

Another option for flushing a Correct craft boat is to get an extra bowl for the water strainer, an drill a hole in the bottom of it and attach a garden hose fitting. Be careful of the square cut O-ring that seals the bowl.
Here is a link to a post showing the flushing adapter I made, and some of the ways I use it.
http://www.planetnautique.com/index....ushing+adapter
In my opinion, you should never run an inboard boat without supplying water to it. Not even a quick check to see if the engine will start. It can cause the raw water pump to lose it's prime, and it may then run dry long enough to damage the impeller.

[scoke]

Re: 20 maintenance questions game!

Well I have owned my nautique (1998 Supersport/ Air) not



2. About to change the oil for the first time, what's the general consensus on this GT-40 motor, mine is of the F.I. variety if it matters? what kind of oil is everyone using and oil filters? (boat has 350 hours on it) ppl using synthetic?

3. Where can i find info on quanties and basic maintenance info? my boat did not come with an owners manual/ repair manual and i would love to have one, where can i get one in paper form?

4. This is my first inboard ownership experience and wondering how often the impellar needs replaced?


Jeff

2. East tx skier and I are in the same ballpark. I only used Valvoline VR-1, 40w in my GT-40, but I am still living in a bit warmer climate and we didnt launch the boat unless air & water temp were 60+ minimum. Using a ZDDP oil is CRUCIAL for this engine and to keeping it strong. The oil can be found at carquest.com and then locally or your other favorite place usually.

4. www.skidim.com or www.whitelakemarine. for the impellor. I personally buy a new impellor at the beginning of the year regardless. I install the new one and inspect the old one. If the old one is worth it, I keep it as a "spare" in the boat in case something happens.

[DouglasMunoz]

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