100 hour service

[chippy1971]

Guys,

My boat is due for a 100 hour service.

I am going to replace the water pump impeller, oil filter, fuel filter and oil.

The book says to replace the spark plugs which makes no sense.

If I did 100 in my car that would would out to be 10,000km. Now I know that plugs in a car are not changed to 50,000 or 100,000 KM.

Anyway I need to know what every one think and what others have done.

Please let me know.

BP

[bturner2]

I have about 250 hours on my 07 X2 and plan to change the plugs for the first time this spring. I'm sure I'm going to get fried for saying this but I'm with you on this one. The boat hasn't missed a beat and is still running excellent. I can understand why you might have changed the plugs on older boats with points and such but with FI and computer controlled ignition it wouldn't seem to make sense. At this point I figure its just time to change them although they seem to be working great.

[mikeg205]

Originally Posted by bturner2

I have about 250 hours on my 07 X2 and plan to change the plugs for the first time this spring. I'm sure I'm going to get fried for saying this but I'm with you on this one. The boat hasn't missed a beat and is still running excellent. I can understand why you might have changed the plugs on older boats with points and such but with FI and computer controlled ignition it wouldn't seem to make sense. At this point I figure its just time to change them although they seem to be working great.

At least inspect and clean plugs... the tell a good story when you pull them out and look that the insulators and electrodes.

[Jeff d]

I'd pull one or two out, check the gap and the condition, and if they look ok put them back in. They are just common truck plugs though so you could replace them for like $16.

[Stx221]

At roughly $20 for the set of plugs at Napa and the hour or so to change them (including having a beer), I'd say that its cheap and easy enough to get out into the garage and swap them out. Just like changing the oil, its a preventative maintenance item...

Fresh plugs could be the difference between detonation and a bad motor, a poorly running engine, or one that runs like a top. Is that worth the $20 in your wallet or plugs in the engine? Its up to you!

[willyt]

Your boat engine is turning a lot higher RPMs than a truck engine = plugs firing more = excuse to have a beer while changing them

[mikeg205]

+1 good excuse to get out have a beer and turn a wrench...

[russlars]

Originally Posted by Jeff d

I'd pull one or two out, check the gap and the condition, and if they look ok put them back in. They are just common truck plugs though so you could replace them for like $16.

I don't think they are "common truck plugs". NAPA can get mine in 1 day but they don't stock them normally and I'm pretty sure that they are special for marine applications. My boat takes AC Delco MR43LTS and I believe that the MR stands for "marine". Nonetheless I still change them every other year whether they need it or not. Remember that if you are fogging your engine in the off season this can cause extra fouling of the plugs also. I always change mine after the first start up of the year when the fogging oil has been burned off.

[Jeff d]

Originally Posted by russlars

I don't think they are "common truck plugs". NAPA can get mine in 1 day but they don't stock them normally and I'm pretty sure that they are special for marine applications.

Whatever AC Delco plugs my LTR was supposed to have was stocked at AutoZone. Less than $2 each IIRC.

[HDAVIS]

I own a 1996 PS190. When I bought it new, they highly recommended doing the 100hr service mainly for the transmission service. However I want my MC to run good also. It gives me piece of mind. I have owned other boats and have been stranded, it just feels good knowing that a proper tune up was done and likely will not have any problems. My theory is if you have car trouble, you can get out and walk, but when you have boat trouble you can't.