cobrapowersys said:
I never changed the oil ,plugs ,filters ,separator . I did change the lower unit oil. I don't know what ring free is please explain and make any recommendations. I did have it checked out when I bought it by my marina and they said everything looked good compression and all. When I changed the lower unit oil this year it was very dirty indeed.
Ring Free is a Yamaha fuel treatment that helps reduce the buildup of carbon, especially on the rings. Many use it, some don't and the only thing that all parties agree is that it is expensive running about $35 a quart ( one quart will treat 320 gallons of fuel. I and the previous owner of the boat used it.) It cam also be used in a Shock Treatment mode where a larger concentration is used to clean up a dirty motor. I am not a big fan of those types of treatments and I think they should only be used when there is a problem.
I change plugs and the main water separator filter every year, after I run the motor first to burn off the fogging fluids. Plugs run about 3 bucks a piece for the standard OEM NKGs. The water separator filter ( Yami 10 micron) runs about $15 and should be changed every season or after about 100 running hours. You can get more or less use out of it depending on how clean or dirty your tank and fuel are. I change the motor mounted fuel cartridge filter every three seasons.
The lower unit should be drained at the end of the season especially if you sore your boat in a locale that freezes. The reason is that should the oil have been contaminated with water, you won't take the chance of that water freezing and doing damage. Water in the LU can also rust up the internal parts.
I know folks who never change the water pump and I know folks who change it every season. I change mine every 4 seasons or so and the old one look pretty good. A lot depends on whether you boat where sand and grit get sucked into the water inlets.
In addition to these routine items, there are service that should be done to check for VST contamination, oil linkage syncing, oil pump screen , and importantly, low pressure fuel pumps which seem to last 3 to 5 seasons.
Don't forget to check trim/tilt oil level and condition as well as grease the fittings on the motor. A service manual (OEM) is very helpful.