TRADEABOAT.COM.AU | 93
FEATURE | RUNNING-IN FOUR-STROKE OUTBOARDS
TLC REQUIRED
All outboards sold in Australia from 2019
onwards will be low emission engines, with the
bulk being four-strokes, which means more care
is required when running them compared with
carbie two-stroke outboards.
The running-in process with most carbie two-
stroke outboards was made easier by being able to
double (or with Yamahas quadruple) the fuel/oil
ratio for the first five to ten hours. The additional oil
provided a level of protection even when owners were
less than careful with the running-in procedure.
But not so with four-strokes. While the running-
in procedures are nowhere near as regimented as with
older models some care is needed in the first three
hours where WOT is not recommended.
Before trying out your new investment for the
first time I recommend buying a few items that
will make the running-in procedure easier. One is
a cheap wall clock from the Reject Shop or similar,
the next is a nine-litre plastic bucket from Bunnings
and finally a notepad and pen. The total cost of these
items will be around $10.
The little made-in-China wall clocks run on a
single AA battery and keep accurate time for a least
a year before needing a new battery. Place a towel
in the bucket to absorb engine vibration then fit
the clock on top of it at an angle. This way the
running-in period can be easily seen and time
recorded using the notepad.
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Four-stroke engines require you to pay close attention for the first three-or-so hours;
Although it's tempting to get them wet right away, running in is important for maintaining a healthy engine; The initial investment
will be rewarded with many more hours of on-water enjoyment