The spring checklist...

[phenom_1819]

I don't run up enough hours for a mid-season oil change. We do more sitting than driving, with the engine off.  Last year, using the boat nearly every day, only put 80 hours on the boat...believe it or not.

Anyway, I was going to ask how much a spare set of plugs costs, but  wanted to be sure I checked archives first to see if it's been discussed before. Thanks for saving me the trouble.    I'm still curious how you know if a plug is bad, but don't know if that's been talked about yet, either...so I won't ask just yet.I'm debating replacing the plugs anyway, since my boat was running very strange at the end of last year.  It was knocking, and wouldn't get going faster than 30 mph.  Though I think the problem was the fuel filter. Replacing them would give me a spare set, though...

[2000epic]

check out sparkplugs.com, the Densos are $9.35 ea.  NGKs are $8.07 ea. + shipping

[cyclone]

I have found them on the shelf at the local Toyota dealer for 12 bucks each. Good to know if you just wanna fix it sometimes like I do. Plus, it's almost worth 12 bucks more (no shipping) to pester the Toyota people about boat parts. I may tow it in there next time, I still don't think they believe I actually have a Toyota boat.

The symptoms are: running like crap

It only takes 30 min to swap 'em out, and it'll run like new.

[phenom_1819]

Just did a ton of reading on the plugs.  Don't think mine have ever been changed -- boat is at about 280 hours.  I'm changing them.  Denso sk20r11's.

[cyclone]

Cal,
Do us a favor, when you pull the original plugs, pull them one at a time and note which cylinder's plug looks the dirtiest. In the past, people have noticed certain cylinders fouling quicker than others, just trying to track it down.  

[phenom_1819]

Will do. Why did this thread just switch so that the newest post is at the beginning???  

[cyclone]

Sorry, Cal. I'm playin, trying some stuff. I'm about to upgrade the forum software, I'll be pulling the site down for a few minutes.

Not trying to freak you out or anything!!

Which way is better, always seeing the newest or having to scroll through? It'll just confuse people, I'll change it back.

[phenom_1819]

Ladies and gents, boys and girls --

I'm happy as hell to announce that I just got my boat up and ready after the winterization all by myself!   

All is working perfectly, and the boat is absolutely purring.  The knocking towards the end of last season is no more.  The spark plugs were to blame (I ran the boat after I did each part of the spring refresher, so I knew where the problem was).  I can't believe how easily this thing started the first time after sitting for 6 months.  And how clean it runs after I got everything figured out.

Pete, as promised, here is the breakdown of my spark plugs:

Left side (passenger)
L-1 (front): Somewhat dirty
L-2: somewhat dirty
L-3: somewhat dirty
L-4: medium dirty

Right side (driver)
R-1 (front): Somewhat dirty
R-2: Very dirty, appeared wet, smelled strong of gas, heavy carbon build-up
R-3: medium dirty
R-4: Very dirty, appeared wet, smelled strong of gas, heavy carbon build-up

Obviously, the problem cylinder was R-2 or R-4.  Anything I should be concerned about?  My neighbor is a domestic mechanic, recommended I get the fuel system cleaned out just to be on the safe side...any thoughts on this?

Also, he recommended that each of us buy up as many of the little bolt-on cylinder things that sit on top of the spark plugs -- he guessed that would likely be the first thing on our engines to fail that would be difficult to replace. Thoughts on that?

And...that's about it.  I friggin' rule.

[phenom_1819]

And thank you all so much for putting up with my endless questions about stupid stuff that really never should be asked by anybody in the first place.  I'm confident I could do this again with no problems whatsoever. And to think that I just saved around $400-500 bucks blows my friggin' mind.

[toyotafreak]

Cal, you friggin rule.

[cyclone]

That's KILLER Cal. It is not that hard to keep one of these boats running. Plugs go bad when you run cheap gas for a while, or get a lot of water in there. Mine went bad at about 400 hrs, I used Chevron and Amoco 93 exclusively.

Somebody mentioned cleaning out the fuel pump, there's a screen somewhere. I haven't cleaned mine. I just change the filter once a year and the plugs when it starts running bad. If they go four hundred hours, that's OK by me!

If it purrs like a kitten, don't mess with it. When plugs don't fix it, clean the fuel system.

I don't think we'll have any problem sourcing the coilpaks, I think they're an automotive part. I'll do some searchin'

Good Job Cal!!

[toyotafreak]

Damn it, Cal. Now you got me wanting to change $80 in 1000-hour plugs at 250 hours.

[phenom_1819]

You need a reason to do the impeller replacement?? Here you go.? This is at only 280 hours, believe it or not.  Note: about half of the splines were split for about 1/3 of the height of the impeller...

[toyotafreak]

Cal, stupid question: what the f- is the ORIGINAL impeller doing in your boat? Your service guys didn't recommend the change, or what? It might be excessive to do it annually, the engine has some overheat sensors/warnings, and stuff, but sheeeehaut, man, your engine shoulda burnt!

GLAD you got that sucker changed!

[festivus]

where do you order the impellers from? I wouldn't mind stocking up with a few for the years to come.  How often is it recommended to change them?  Do you do it or have the boat shop place guys do it?
Remember, Festivus=mechanical ignoramus.