Operation of water equipment in an aggressive aquatic environment requires the owner to constantly pay attention to the condition of the units and assemblies. Syringing of the outboard motor It is one of the key maintenance procedures that can lead to costly repairs, and water, sand and salt can quickly destroy the lubrication layer in bearings and omentation, if not regularly protected.
Many newcomers mistakenly believe that it's enough to just change the oil in the gearbox and pour the gas, but there are hidden points where the lubricant is only forced, pressurized, and that's what you need to do. syringe, allowing to deliver thick, consistent lubricant to the most inaccessible places of the structure.
In this article, we will discuss why this procedure is so important, what tools you will need and how often you need to maintain it, and the right approach to this issue will significantly increase the life of your engine and save you from sudden breakdowns on the water.
Why do you need syringes and which nodes suffer
The main purpose of syringe is to displace moisture and old lubricant from the friction knots, as well as create a protective barrier against corrosion. In the design of the outboard motor, there are several critical areas that are in constant contact with water or are exposed to splashes. Consistent lubricationInjected with a syringe, forms a water-repellent film that prevents the oxidation of metal surfaces.
The primary focus is on the placement of the glands, and these rubber seals lose their elasticity over time and can pass water to the bearings, and if you don't add fresh lubrication, you start to corrosion, which quickly disables expensive parts. Regular maintenance allows you to extend the life of the osbens and maintain the tightness of the nodes.
Models operating in salt water or in bodies of water with high abrasive particles are particularly at risk. Sand, when it enters open mechanisms, acts as an abrasive, erasing metal. Timely supply of new lubricant helps to wash these particles out through drainage holes or gaps.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to syringe a hot engine. Let the engine cool down, as the heated lubricant becomes too liquid and does not create the necessary protective layer, and there is a risk of burns.
And the lubricant also acts as a node health indicator, and if you see the lubricant coming out with a metal shaving or emulsion (the color of coffee and milk), it's a signal of serious problems inside the mechanism, and if you just add the lubricant, it won't help, you need to. diagnostics and repairs.
Necessary tools and choice of lubricant
You need a specialized tool to do this, and you don't need a conventional medical syringe because of the small volume and the weak design. syringe (often called a tavot syringe) which creates high pressure to push a thick mass.
The choice of lubricant is critical. Not all lithium lubricants are suitable for aqueous applications. "Water Resistant" or "Marine"These compounds are not washed out with water and contain anti-corrosion additives.
- 🛠️ Lubricant syringe mechanical or pneumatic, with a volume of 200 to 500 grams.
- 💧 Lubricant Lithium or disulfidemolybdenum, water resistant (NLGI 2).
- 🧹 Mulk and cleaner Remove dirt and old lubricant before the procedure.
- 🔧 Keyset - may be required to remove protective covers or traffic jams.
The lithium-calcium complex lubricants are popular, which hold the load perfectly and are not afraid of moisture, and you should also pay attention to products with the addition of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), which provide additional protection at high loads. The use of graphite lubricant for high-speed outboard bearings is not recommended due to its electrical conductivity and ability to accumulate moisture.
⚠️ Attention: It is strictly forbidden to mix lubricants of different types and manufacturers, and chemical reactions between additives can lead to liquefaction of the composition and loss of protective properties.
Before starting work, make sure that the nose of the syringe is clean and does not contain residues of old, possibly contaminated lubricant.
Syringe points: where are the oils
The design of outboard motors may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the basic lubrication points remain similar. oil-press They're usually located at the bottom of the lower unit and on the rotary mechanism.
The first and most important point is the propeller bearing, which is at the bottom of the lower unit, often hidden by a protective casing or located next to the propeller, and it is this knot that takes the brunt of the water and sand.
The second area is the gearshift mechanism and the roompell-drum lever connections, and there are also the coils that require constant updating of the lubrication layer. Tohatsu or Yamaha There may be additional points on the rotating bracket.
For ease of finding the syringes on your motor, refer to the manual. There's always a diagram showing all the nodes that need maintenance. If the manual is lost, look for metal nozzles with a ball inside, which are oils.
Remember to clean the area around the oil before you plug in the syringe. Pressing the dirty nipple will drive the abrasive inside the bearing, which will speed up its wear and tear. Wipe the connection with the rags moistened with the cleaner.
Step-by-step instructions: how to properly syringe
The syringe process requires precision and consistency, and a breakdown of technology can lead not to protection, but to damage the glands with excessive pressure.
First, you have to prepare the workplace. The motor has to be installed vertically, preferably on a stand or a transector. Remove the protective casings if they block access to the lubrication points. Clean all the oilseeds of dirt and old lubricant.
☑️ Checklist before the start of work
Charge the syringe with lubrication by removing the air plugs. Tightly press the nose of the syringe against the oil. Start slowly pressing the handle. You should see the fresh grease starting to come out of the gaps of the knot, pushing out the old one. Once the clean grease goes, without signs of water or dirt, stop the pressure.
It's important not to overdo the pressure. Excessive pressure can damage cuff seals (oils), especially if they already wear out. The lubricant should flow freely, not push with force that deforms the rubber.
After syringing, be sure to remove the excess lubricant with rags. The mass left on the parts will collect sand and down, forming an abrasive porridge.
After all the points are processed, assemble the motor, put the casings in place, start the engine for a few minutes at low speeds, so that the lubricant is evenly distributed in the nodes of friction under the action of centrifugal force and heating.
Service intervals and seasonality
The frequency of syringes depends on the intensity of operation and the conditions of use of the boat. For motors operating in fresh water, the regulations may be more gentle than for salty environments.
Manufacturers usually recommend this procedure every 50-100 hours or at the end of navigation before canning, however, if you often walk in shallow water or in muddy water, the intervals should be reduced.
The table below will help you navigate in approximate service intervals for different conditions:
| Conditions of operation | Type of water | Recommended interval | Priority nodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiet operation | Fresh | 1 time in season / 100 m/h | paddle-shaft bearing |
| Active fishing | Fresh (sandy bottom) | Every 50 m/h | Rowshaft, levers. |
| Seawater | Salt | Every 10-20 m/h | All available oils |
| Conservation | Anything. | Before wintering | All the nodes must be. |
When storing the engine in winter, syringing is a must-have preparation step, and a layer of fresh lubricant will protect metal surfaces from corrosion during downtime, when condensation can accumulate inside the machinery.
What happens if you don't syringe the engine?
The lack of lubrication will result in rapid wear of bearings, backlashes and eventually jamming of the propeller shaft, requiring replacement of the lower unit or the entire bottom of the engine, which is up to 40% of the cost of a new engine.
PVC boat owners should be especially careful, as the absence of a stationary garage often means keeping the engine in high humidity, and for them, the service frequency should be above average.
Typical errors and troubleshooting
Even experienced water-engineers sometimes make maintenance errors, the most common of which is trying to syringe a grease assembly that already has the grease under pressure, without venting the old mass, which creates excess pressure in the hull.
Sometimes the oilseed can be filled with old, petrified lubricant, in which case the new lubricant simply will not work, you need to carefully clean the hole with a thin wire or replace the oilseed if it is damaged.
Another mistake is using the wrong syringes: Cheap plastic models often burst when they create the right pressure or have a bad valve, which causes the lubrication to flow back. syringe It will pay off the longevity of your motor.
The main sign of successful syringe is the appearance of fresh lubrication in the gaps of the node and the complete displacement of old residues, so if the lubrication does not come out, then the channel is clogged or the oil is faulty.
If the motor started to work noisier or vibrations appeared after the syringe, it is possible that the lubrication got on the friction clutch discs (in models where it is structurally possible) or the oment was damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use solidol instead of a special lubricant?
Solidol is hygroscopic (absorbing water) and quickly washed out, leaving the knots unprotected, which will lead to accelerated corrosion of bearings.
How do you know if the shaft bearing needs replacement?
The signs of wear are: back-and-forth propeller wobbling, high-speed hum, overheating of the bottom of the lower unit, and syringing doesn't help.
Do I need to use electric starters?
No, electric starters have their own closed bearings. Syringe can damage the insulation of the windings. Only mechanical turn units and propeller shafts are lubricated.
What is the optimal volume of syringe for an outboard motor?
The most convenient syringes with a volume of 200-400 grams. Smaller ones will have to be charged often, and large (liter) ones are inconvenient to work in cramped conditions of lower unit.