Commissioning After Long-Term Storage

[starksy423]

Hey all,

I'm back home after spending several years on the road for work, and looking forward to getting my 1996 250 DA back in the water. She has a 5.7L Mercruiser and a Bravo II outdrive.

The boat has been on a trailer for three years, so I'm wondering if anyone has a recommended checklist for what maintenance needs to be performed in order to prepare for this season. Unfortunately I wasn't planning on being away so long when I pulled the boat out of the water, so only the winterizing basics were performed at that time.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

 

[Strecker25]

3 years isn't too long, but assuming the boat is in Seattle (based on your profile) I'd imagine you guys stay pretty humid most of the year.

How much fuel in the tank? Was it ethanol free and treated before layup?

I'd either test or replace the battery, replace fuel filter, check oil level (do an oil change after you start it again for the first time), inspect the coolant hoses for cracks and make sure they're still pliable, replace the impeller, drain and refill drive lube

If you want to really play it safe - pull all the plugs and squirt some oil into the cylinders then breaker bar it over a few times to lube the walls up and make sure the rotating assembly is moving freely.

 

[Little Ducky]

Swing by and question a local mechanic exactly what you would like to do and get some tip and tricks.

You might want to pull the plugs, put in some Marvel Mystery Oil and then turn over by hand a few times before hitting the starter.

 

[Henry Boyd]

All of the above. I’d also put doing a bellows replacement as mandatory before going back in the water. The rubber has been sitting stationary for years they could crack wide open the first time you cycled the drive.

 

[El Capitan]

Oil the cylinders before starting.
Drain / replace fuel + filters.
Change plugs.
Change oil / filter
Drain / fill Drive oil
Replace Drive impeller
Hook up water
Turn key.
Good boating!

 

[starksy423]

Thanks all for the quick and helpful replies. It's appreciated.

The gas is one of the things that worries me the most- the 70 gallon tank was full but untreated. That was never an issue in our short offseason, but now I imagine it will be. Luckily it was ethanol-free.

Is there anything I should be doing to the outdrive other than a drain and fill and a bellows replacement?

 

[BillK2632]

If the fuel is non-ethanol it should be fine. Before the ethanol days I can remember gasoline sitting around for years and never a problem.

 

[starksy423]

Thanks for sharing all your experiences. I’m feeling better about getting started.