Gettin Ready for Summer, what to do?

[loudelectronics]

No dealer so I have to do all the preseason checks and changes.

Oil and Filter-
Changing impeller-

What else? Where to check, what to change.

[da.bell]

make sure batteries are fully charged

[dogbert]

check V-Drive fluid, TAPS hydraulic fluid, transmission fluid. You might want to check the fuel filter.

How many hours on the boat?

[loudelectronics]

Batts were on the list if the boat did not crank but that looks ok.

Thought the Vdrive fluid and tran fluid was the same, guess not. What is the oil in the Vdrive, 80-90?

How do you check Taps fluid? Have to replace the controller this year as it failed last year.

Boat has almost 300 hours. 118 when I bought it in 2007 and used it for 2 summers. Not sure what was done to it when I did not have it.

[dogbert]

Batts were on the list if the boat did not crank but that looks ok.

Thought the Vdrive fluid and tran fluid was the same, guess not. What is the oil in the Vdrive, 80-90?

How do you check Taps fluid? Have to replace the controller this year as it failed last year.

Boat has almost 300 hours. 118 when I bought it in 2007 and used it for 2 summers. Not sure what was done to it when I did not have it.

Ok, at 400 hrs, you will need to change the spark plugs and wires.

BTW, what engine do you have? If it's a Merc, I'd change the distributor cap.

[loudelectronics]

It is the 6.0 Vortec.

[noworries]

I'd repack the wheel bearings on the trailer. I'm in the middle of doing mine on the '02. Bearings are fine, but there's a little water in the one I've got apart.

[kko]

lube the rudder
check all hose conections eng./ballast/bildge
tighten belts
lube throttle and shifter linkages
check flange bolts
check prop nut/cotter pin
clean the flame arrestor

[loudelectronics]

What about the cooler for the fuel??? At a dealer in Orlando and said something about backflushing it?

[kko]

What about the cooler for the fuel??? At a dealer in Orlando and said something about backflushing it?

If your not running a sea strainer (wich you should be)i would have the coolers checked and make sure it is not clogged.Its simple to do remove the hose from the inlet side and look to see if there is debris in it.

[loudelectronics]

What would the fuel cooler look like? Where do I start?

[kko]

this is what they look like it may be a different color.follow the hose that comes out of the bottom of the boat.you know the one that the water from the lake goes into.follow it to the cooler.YOU MUST MAKE SURE YOU ARE CHECKING THE INLET SIDE thats why i say follow the hose comming out of the bottom of boat. remove the hose on the end look inside and see if there is any debris.it should look like a honeycomb inside.make sure no leaves seaweed or any type of debris is blocking off the honeycomb.hopes this helps. im out with an injury for the next couple of days i will try to get you some better pics when i get back to work.Get some pics of your motor.
Or next time just make the little extra drive from orlando to st. pete and we will work on your boat http://fortesonline.com

[loudelectronics]

Thanks. I am actually in Canada. I was just down to orlando on vacation, saw a tige dealer and stopped in. I wish I could just drop down anytime. The GF now wants to move there, but I would have no job. Maybe someday.

[loudelectronics]

Changed the impeller, much easier then I thought. The one I took out has been in there since 04 and still looked fine. I replaced anyway though. What is causing people to change them every year? Sandy water or something?

Where is my fuel filter and water fuel separator? Is it the thing on the front right of the motor that says do not step? It has 3 fuel lines on it? Can not figure out what the three lines are for so someone can enlighten me on that. How do I take it apart? I took the one fuel line off and the fuel looked like crap, had tons of stuff in it. That is if I was working on the right thing. Do I need to put a new filter in or just clean this one out?

[da.bell]

Think of it as changing the impeller as a cheap insurance policy. Better to take a chance on a new impeller lasting longer than one that has been used, old, and maybe dried out. You definitely don't want to be pulled back to the ramp by another non-Tige boat