starting an I/O that has been sitting

S

Scott

New member
I started working on an I/O that has been in storage for the last 15 years. I drained the oil, pulled the plugs, sprayed some lube in the cyl. and turned it over by hand.

I'm going to replace the fuel lines, drain the gas tank, and replace the fluid in the outdrive.

Is there anything else that I should do before trying to start it? FYI, it is a Volvo engine (4 cyl) and outdrive.

I was just happy it turned over by hand!!!
 
Change the impeller if it has one...or clean the water intake of critters. You would do well to go to i-boats and post the question with all the info you can find on the motor.
 
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Scott, Just a bit of personal advice. Insert long rag into fuel filler opening , light and leave. ;>). No kidding, all good advice and check for cracked block and manifolds. I also have an I/O from hell to get runnning for a buddy and am not looking forward to it. When you get it running keep an eye on the temp. Remember that running it on a "fake a lake" hose does not mean the water pump is OK. The hose pressure will push water right through a bad water pump. Good luck.
 
I've never owned an I/B so forgive my ignorance, but if they use a water pump like an O/B you should install a new one before you attempt to start it. 15 years is plenty long and is definitely enough time for the pump impeller to have dry-rotted and become useless.
 
Tom:
You said in your reply to "starting an I/O" that using a water hose to start a motor on land would by pass the water pump---would that be true of a regualr outboard?
wis boz
 
Wis, Absolutly, the hose pressure just pushes water right through the water pump especially if it is shot. Always check the overboard water flow (afectionantly called the pee hole) once you get on the water. It does matter which type of stern drive you have but they all pick up water and then circulate through the block with an auto type circulation pump. Good luck.
 
Probably a good idea to at least check it. What type of stern drive is it? No need to apolagize for an honest question.
 
Tom:
I've always checked my out boards that way but if what you say is true that's how I ruined a 65 hp Mercury last fall. It checked out okay at home and I didn't bother to check the "pee hole" after starting on the lake. I guess you really aren't too old to learn something new.
wis boz
 
Wis, Sorry to hear aboutyour Merc but it sounds like that was a possibility. Being in the learning business I hope no one gets too old to learn new tricks.
 
Thanks for the input. I will be replacing BOTH water pumps. It has a sealed system and a outside pickup.

The good thing is that it has been in heated storage so the winter(s) were not hard on it. I just have to find the time to do it all.
 
Maybe Tom can elaborate..but I have heard of certain outdrives leaking around the boot..check that too ..hate to see you sink it.
 
Lee, Good point- leaky bellows can definetly sink a boat. It has been said that muskrats have sunk more boats than rock piles. For some reason they love the taste of the rubber. Come to think of it I lost a decoy for a year in a private marsh and the next year the rats had eaten the Tanglefree right to the knot. Good call on the bellows. PS Please don't get too used to me being the reference for the stern drive crowd hahahah. I think anyone can have any boat they like BUT no acounting for some peoples preferences. Oh well differeent strokes and all that, they probably don't care for my paint jobs either.
 
Agreed,

Try to sell the boat. If you can't, give it to a college or other institution for a tax write off.

I once owned a Mercruiser and a Volvo IO and they both sucked (money).
 
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