Boat Shop/Mechanic

[Bigtrout5]

Does anyone in the Magic Valley area have a boat shop or mechanic that they could recommend? My 14' boat with a 9.9 outboard I bought last needs to be serviced. I have really babied the boat and keep it garaged and figure that the motor needs some preventative maintenance. If anyone could recommend a mechanic I would be happy to send some business that way. Also, any idea on what a general 2 stroke motor service would run?
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[idahopanfish]

Try The Boat Doc in Kimberly.
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[Bigtrout5]

Thanks Panfish, I called and spoke with them already. Thanks again for the reply.
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[idahoron]

[quote Bigtrout5]Does anyone in the Magic Valley area have a boat shop or mechanic that they could recommend? My 14' boat with a 9.9 outboard I bought last needs to be serviced. I have really babied the boat and keep it garaged and figure that the motor needs some preventative maintenance. If anyone could recommend a mechanic I would be happy to send some business that way. Also, any idea on what a general 2 stroke motor service would run?[/quote]

Well for preventative maintenance the first thing I am going to suggest is not a mechanic but non ethanol gas. That right there will be what makes your motor last for years. Next, change the plugs once a year. They are cheap and easy to do, make sure they are gaped right. Change the oil in the lower end every year make sure the oil looks good not milky. Last keep an eye on that water stream coming out of the motor. If it looks weak replace the impeller or have it replaced. If the motor is older than 5 years you might want to replace it to be sure. My 4 hp Johnson Seahorse had sit in a garage for over 20 years. It still had the original tags on it. It was never started. The first thing I did was change the oil in the lower end and I replaced the impeller for the water pump my self. I plan to do it every 5 years even if it is working perfectly. If you do this stuff your self then you won't be caught in a jam if things go wrong. You will know more about it and be able to trouble shoot it your self.





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[Bigtrout5]

Thanks for the detailed reply! Since I have owned this motor it has only seen non-ethanol gas. I am not much of a mechanic but will get the lower unit oil changed. I am somewhat concerned that one of the seals in the lower unit is leaking. I do a bit of trolling and am used to some unburned oil/gas puking out the exaust but after this last outing it looked a little lighter and did not smell like gas. If it is leaking then I will take it into the Boat Doc to have the lower seals replaced.

That Johnson looks like it is brand new! My motor is in real good shape and I want to keep it that way!

Thanks again for your reply.
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[idahoron]

When you drain the lower end if it is milky then it is bad. Let us know what you found.
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[Bigtrout5]

Yup, the lower unit was milky. Have an appointment to have the lower unit seals fixed and impeller replaced. Gonna run $300. Thanks for the help.
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[idahoron]

Good catch. Getting it taken care of in the off season will help on fishing time next year.
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