new boat owner

[broncostu]

hello all! just purchased a 1998 1900 SR2 (actually my Sons purchased). The boat has low hours but we have no history information and I/we have never owned a boat. We were not able to test the boat in the water but started it and ran for a while, both forward and reverse engaged. we are looking for any preventive maintenance suggestions before putting it on the water. Thanks, Stuart

[jrsick]

Welcome Stuart. My recommendations:
- change engine oil and filter
- replace water separator
- replace drive belt
- replace gear lube
- check fluid in trim reservoir
- replace water pump impeller (plenty of videos on this)
- download the manual for your engine in Documents section of this forum
- check wires that they are not touching something hot/moving and that insulation is in tact
- charge battery and check voltage is at least 12.6
- check battery voltage with engine running, it should be at least .5V higher than static check
- put marine grease in zerk fittings
- look at back of gauges, clean any rust or white build up off of terminals
I'm sure I've forgotten some, you'll hear from others. Let us know if you have any questions.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by jrsick

Welcome Stuart. My recommendations:
- change engine oil and filter
- replace water separator
- replace drive belt
- replace gear lube
- check fluid in trim reservoir
- replace water pump impeller (plenty of videos on this)
- download the manual for your engine in Documents section of this forum
- check wires that they are not touching something hot/moving and that insulation is in tact
- charge battery and check voltage is at least 12.6
- check battery voltage with engine running, it should be at least .5V higher than static check
- put marine grease in zerk fittings
- look at back of gauges, clean any rust or white build up off of terminals
I'm sure I've forgotten some, you'll hear from others. Let us know if you have any questions.

Adding to the list.

Raise the drive to inspect the bellows for signs of cracks in the folds. Lower bellows is exhaust and upper one is for the drive shaft. Plus there is a small one for the shift cable. A leaking shift cable or drive shaft bellows will allow water to enter the boat and can sink it.

Use an IR temp sensor and take temps of the engine and exhaust (water cooled). Note helm gauge only shows engine temp at the t-stat. Take reading after running on the water for 15 minutes then 30 minutes latter.

Running the engine out of the water doesn't tell you much on the condition of the engine, hopefully all is ok.

Take a safe boating course.

[broncostu]

i need an alternator and water pump for my 4.3 Merc. does autozone carry them?

[jrsick]

Autozone might, I know oreillys has a good selection of marine parts.
To get a part number, I go to an online marine parts site and get the part number for both Mercury and Sierra. I then start my search for lowest price. Amazon has been a good source for me.
Make sure you get a marine-rated alternator.
When I mentioned water pump impeller in earlier post, I was referring to the rubber impeller in the outdrive. If you are having water flow problems change the rubber impeller first.

[mmwjr]

As jrsick said you want marine rated parts. Electrical it’s need to be explosion protected; alternators, starters, ... what water pump are you in need of, engine circulating pump or raw water impeller in the drive?

[broncostu]

thanks all, i changed the impeller, started and ran for a while and noticed water coming from the weep hole on the water pump. i will check with oreilleys.

[biggerseagar]

Some Napa stores carry Sierra parts also.


Roger

[shrew]

I'm not familiar with a weep hole on the water pump. There shouldn't be any water leaking from the pump, however, it is a common occurrence. If the water pump is belt driven, the tension on the pulley can cause wear on the bearings. Eventually the seal starts to leak.

You might need a new water pump. This is a regularly maintained item, just not frequent.

[mmwjr]

Originally Posted by shrew

I'm not familiar with a weep hole on the water pump. There shouldn't be any water leaking from the pump, however, it is a common occurrence. If the water pump is belt driven, the tension on the pulley can cause wear on the bearings. Eventually the seal starts to leak.

You might need a new water pump. This is a regularly maintained item, just not frequent.

shrew, engine circulating pumps have a weep hole as an indicator the seal is starting to leak. This feature has been on automobiles for as long as I know.

[broncostu]

Thanks again for everyone's input. took it out for the first time yesterday. All went well, fired right up and planed out nice, ran about 47 mph. i did notice water coming in from the rear and i know it was not engine related, thinking it may be one of the small bellows. I will order a new kit and see if this fixes the leak. so far so good!

[Phillbo]

Did you tune it up and change the fluids before running it out?

[mrt214]

Installing new bellows is a major job sometime better to be done by professionals.

[broncostu]

changed oil and filter, new fuel/water filter, gear oil.

[broncostu]

that was my next question...should i try changing all the bellows myself. the shift bellows is torn and the drive shaft bellows is showing signs of age. can anyone lend me a how to link for the bellows replacement?

[mmwjr]

T

Originally Posted by broncostu

that was my next question...should i try changing all the bellows myself. the shift bellows is torn and the drive shaft bellows is showing signs of age. can anyone lend me a how to link for the bellows replacement?

Under Documents of this site you will find the Mercruiser manual for the Alpha drive and it includes the instructions. I have not seen a video that completely covers the job but instead several for removing the drive, disassembling the transom assembly, reassembling it, and reinstalling the drive. The engine alignment also needs to be checked. I would also replace the gimbal bearing, shift cable and trim senders.