Need advise on 2 Stroke or 4 Stroke Motors

[Albie]

A mate of mine has got a set of 60 PTT on his Ski Boat and since i am fishing with him the motors behaived well. It was serrviced on a regular basis and both motors has been overhauled once.

Now the probleb is that we had to park the Boat because of the bad wind that we had lately here in CT and we could not fish.On Saturday we tried to start the motors and the one started on the turn of the key.The second one when i tried to start it it sound like the battrey is flat,so we replace it with a nother battery and still the same effect.I checked all connections and all is well,then i went to the motor and removed the plugs and saw that the one plug had rust on the outside of the plug so what does that mean.

Now my next question is if we want to go to 4 Stroke motors what is the pro's and con's between the the 2.

Guys i would really want to have your advise please

Thanks

Albie

 

[miles]

Hiya

Unfortunately, salt water or even just the damp salt air tends to corrode EVERYTHING!! There could be a number of causes for the motor not starting.

Starting off with the simplest option. Corrosion of the terminals. Remove the battery terminals and clean them with some rough sand paper or a file. Remove all signs of corrosion and tighten wires on the connectors properly.

If that doesn't work, then your battery cables are most likely corroded. Salt water/air will corrode the copper wires inside your battery cables. There will be a greenish colour around the exposed cables/wires. This then becomes BLACK, and starts to run up the wires. (known as "Black Rot") Easiest way to check is to take a set of jumpers cables and ONLY using the +ve end, attach one end to the +ve of the battery and then attach the other end to the starter motor. If you don't know where, just follow the original red battery cable running from your battery to the motors starter. You are now effectively by-passing the battery cable. If the motor starts, then you know the battery cables needs replacing. Sometimes a small hole somewhere in the wire, usually made by a hook, will cause the wire to rot, with-out any sign from the outside. So, don't assume that the battery cables are OK if they LOOK good!!

Should the motor still not start and it still sounds like the battery is flat (assuming the battery IS indeed 100%!!!), your starter is probably dragging and needs to be replaced or rebuilt.


2 strokes vs 4 stroke

2 strokes - cheap to purchase. Cheap to maintain. Cheap to repair.

4 stroke - EXPENSIVE to purchase. More costly to service, BUT, offers a 30-40% savings in fuel!! Should you do alot of trolling, the fuel savings will even be better. 4 strokes are CONSIDERABILY lighter on fuel whilst trolling, compared to 2 strokes. They also offers no smoke and very low noise emmisions. Be warned though, repairs can be VERY, VERY costly!!

If you fish alot and can afford the 4 strokes, BUY THEM!! If you fish once or twice a month, the savings in fuel will not justify the expense.

Regards
miles

 

[benniejordaan]

Check that the new battery does in fact have charge!!! Sometime these batteries stand on a shelf for a long time and naturally run down. Swop the batteries over and try again!

I find 4's to be extreemly quiet and the lack of nausiating smoke while trolling warrents the extra cost! Kind of like buying a luxury car. Way over priced but worth it for luxury alone.

 

[Albie]

Hi Miles & Bennie

Thanks guys,Miles i tried your advise and whala their she starts,but i first sprayed some Q20 down the plug hole and swinged the motor without plugs.the battrey was recharged again and it sounded better.Then i replaced the plugs again and yippie she started. So now we can go fish again if the wind permits

Thaks a million Guys

Regards

Albie