One of the best aspects of trail riding, whether on a snowmobile, ATV/UTV or motorcycle, is the endless possibility of places to explore. Whether you’re new to trail riding or an experienced explorer, it’s important to know and respect a few established and unwritten rules...
Marine engine technicians report that untreated fuel is the most common cause of hard-starting and other engine performance issues in today’s boats. Modern gasoline is refined to promote low emissions in automobiles, and is often mixed with ethanol. This combination can cause gasoline to begin...
Recently, a TV station in Birmingham, Alabama, did a story on Red Farmer, the NASCAR® legend and member of the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame®. In the video, he’s shaving tires, and it would be easy to think, “Red Farmer can pay someone...
You won’t find the term “shift clunk” in any outboard technical manual, but most boaters are familiar with the annoying bang sound that an outboard might make when shifted from neutral to forward or reverse gear. It’s the noise created when freeplay in the drivetrain...
If your family is the type that enjoys a variety of summer powersports, you can understand the challenges of planning a vacation focused around multiple full-throttle activities. It’s difficult to plan a trip that includes all the options: personal watercraft (PWC), boat, off-road vehicles (ORV)...
Automotive oil definitely does not belong in the sump of your marine engine – outboard, sterndrive or inboard. Here’s why. The inner workings of your boat engine might look like those of an automotive engine, but your boat engine operates in a much different environment. In...
Removing and reinstalling a propeller is a basic maintenance task every boat owner should know how to accomplish. It’s easy to do, as demonstrated in this quick video produced by Quicksilver® Propellers and the team at Wired2Fish. Pro tip: When removing the propeller, carefully note the...
When you buy a Quicksilver® marine engine to repower a classic boat, you’ve made an investment in performance, protection and peace of mind. Quicksilver engines are designed to be drop-in replacement powertrains for most classic sterndrive- and inboard-powered boats, which often don’t have the space for...
A few simple maintenance steps can help ensure a great boating season. Spring has arrived and we’re all eager to get on the water, but before you splash your boat, it’s smart to take some time to tend to a short preseason outboard engine maintenance checklist. By...
Don’t overlook this easy but essential task, especially if you boat in salt water. Inspecting and replacing the sacrificial anodes on an outboard or sterndrive is an important maintenance task that is often overlooked by boat owners. In this video, Quicksilver® professional angler Bailey Boutries demonstrates...
An engine oil-and-filter service is a straightforward, do-it-yourself project for the owner of a Mercury 150 FourStroke outboard. Mercury engineers designed this versatile motor to be easy for the owner to maintain, and in this video Scott Glorvigen of Wired2Fish and the Lund Boats Pro...
Sometimes the simplest maintenance procedures are the easiest to overlook. For some boaters, that’s the case with greasing the prop shaft and applying grease to engine fittings that require it. To make those jobs even simpler, Quicksilver offers two helpful tools. The first is premium Quicksilver...
High-performance two-stroke snowmobile engines lead demanding lives. These potent powerplants are expected to start in sub-zero cold, lug through wet spring snow and endure a 10-mile wide-open blast across a frozen lake, all while delivering reliable performance through radical changes in elevation and temperature. Using...
The lower unit gear lubricant in most outboard motors and sterndrives should be changed annually, or every 100 hours. For many boat owners changing the gear lube is part of an annual service performed before winter or off-season lay-up, along with an engine oil-and-filter change for four-stroke outboards and sterndrives. Changing the lubricant is a pretty easy task for the do-it-yourself boat owner.
In this how-to video, Scott Glorvigen of Wired2Fish and the Lund Boats Pro Staff demonstrates how to change the gearcase lube in a Mercury Pro Kicker outboard, and the procedure is the same for most outboards and sterndrives. Check your owner’s manual for instructions specific to your motor or drive.
Caution, courtesy and common sense help keep public trails open and sledders safe. Snowmobiling can be an exhilarating activity. Exploring the expansive woods of New England, the winding trails of the Midwest or the deep powder of the wild Rocky Mountains is a fun pastime enjoyed...
The thermostat on most Mercury outboards should be inspected annually or every 100 hours. It’s a task that usually can be done along with the 100-hour oil-and-filter and gearcase lube change, or when offseason layup is performed. Most do-it-yourself owners understand the importance of the oil...
Changing the gearcase lubricant in your 75hp and higher Mercury® FourStroke outboard* is routine preventive maintenance that will help keep your engine performing at its peak. Gear lube protects vital components within the gearcase, or lower unit, from corrosion and wear. It should be changed...
Changing the engine oil and oil filter in your Mercury® L6 200-400hp Verado® outboard* is a simple maintenance procedure that should be performed after every 100 hours of engine operation and at least once a year. Many boaters prefer to include the job in their...
Quality oil is the life blood of any engine, including four-stroke outboard motors. Checking the oil level regularly, and keeping up with the oil-change schedule, will help ensure long, reliable service from your outboard. Changing the oil is a pretty easy DIY task. The maintenance schedule...
Lubricants are the lifeblood of your outboard motor. Ask any mechanic and they’ll tell you, regular maintenance with the proper lubricants is essential to making them last. Regardless of brand, large or small, the engine that propels your boat requires lubrication to survive the rigors of...