What Oil Filter or Fuel Filter Should I Use?

This is a question I deal with every day in the field as well as in my retail store.  Of course many people have thier favorates and use one brand or another and probably don't even know why.

I have spent much time recently adding all the applicable Wix, Quicksilver and Sierra oil and fuel filters to my website at www.marinediscounters.com.  Which brand of filter is the "best"?  Once again, a matter of brand loyalty.  All three of these brands are very good filters.  I have been to "filter school" (yes there is a filter school) and have learned, by disecting major brands of oil and fuel filters, which ones NOT to use.  In my opinion (covering my ass) Fram filters are NOT to be used in the marine application.  Wix filters are the most highly recommended.  Sierra and Mercruiser filters are both very well made filters also.  The Sierra oil and fuel filters use a better media with more pleats and a better valve in my opinion.  Also, price should be a consideration.  No I'm not saying cheaper is better.  I'm saying I would use Wix, Sierra or Quicksilver oil and fuel filters (in that order) before ALL others.  That said, find the best price available on these three brands.  I encourage you to give my prices a shot at www.marinediscounters.com.  Quantity discounts available by calling 419-625-0605.

Cross references available for most any filter at www.wixfilters.com .  You can use the exact filter number or a partial number to find the correct Wix oil filter or fuel filter.

I few helpfull hints.  ALL Mercruiser inboard and sterndrive engines, except v-6 without remote oil filter, use Wix 51069 or Sierra 18-7824 oil filter.  ALL chrysler marine engines use Wix 51515 or Sierra 18-7875 oil filter.  This 51515 or 18-7875 filter is a Ford style filter and used on MOST ford engines.  The difference is simply the length of the filter and where the gasket is located.

I hope this info. helps simplify the "mystic" of who's oil and fuel filters to use.  Remember, most brands, including Quicksilver don't MAKE filters.  Wix probably does, and they put there names on them.  Oh, ALL napa filters are made by Wix, why pay more for thier name.  If one was to take a napa filter and put a "5" in front of the napa part number, it is now a Wix filter number.  Put a "3" for fuel filters, a "4" for air filters and a "2" for coolant filters.

Remember, www.marinediscounters.com . 
Fair sea's and tight lines


 

What Kind Of Sanitation Hose Should I Use??

Well, this is a question I always get.  I will keep it short and sweet. Sealand "Odorsafe" hose.  It is human nature to be cheap.  Yes, cheap.  To want to save money.  NOT ALL WHITE SANITATION HOSE IS THE SAME.  In an independent study published in the reveared "Practical Sailer" magazine, a comparison was made between all existing sanitation hose with rigid P.V.C. being the basis.  90% of ALL hoses started to permiate with the odor of what they carry inside within 1.5 years.  The "Odorsafe" hose went to over 5 yrs.  Sealand gives a 5 year warranty against odor permiation on "Odorsafe" hose.  I sell Odorsafe hose on my website www.marinediscounters.com at 9.97 a ft.  Most places retail odorsafe at over 15.00 a ft.  While this is a costly hose, it is well worth it.  It does not have to be a Vacuflush toilet system, this hose is especially recommended for non-vacuflush systems.  You will need special smooth (non-barbed) adapters to attach your hose.  These are called "custom hose adapters" and are available at www.marinediscounters.com very inexpensively.  Make no mistake, "odorsafe" is a stout hose.  If tight bends are needed, you will have to make them with P.V.C. fittings.  It is a good idea to buy some hose lube to help with attaching the hose to the fittings.  To save money, I will tell ya a trade secret.  In long straight runs, simply use rigid P.V.C. with a contact cemented coupler and a custom hose adapter at each end.  As always I am available for free tech. advise at email boatdoc@marinediscounters.com or by calling Brad at 419-625-0605.

PAR Jabsco Toilet Pump Won't Operate

Along with being a very large Vacuflush dealer I also spend alot of time rebuilding Jabsco toilets.  I'd like to tell you a few things I've learned that will save you money.  First, the Par Jabsco toilet is identified by a small black "mascerator " pump located at floor level usually directly behind the toilet (sometimes to the side).  There will be a push button switch to operate this head.  The pump part number is 37041-0010 for 12 volt.

Your symptom will be that the pump turns for a minuite then slows down, or blows the breaker.  The pump may dim the lights and blow the breaker right away.  Too many times a person buys a new motor or complete pump thinking that is the problem.  More times than not the problem is simply the impeller needing to be replaced.  Yes it is usually that simple.  The impeller swells due to the chemicals used in toilets or just the waste it pumps, even salt water can cause this.  The impeller doesn't have to swell very much for it to be unable to turn in it's plasting pump body.  before you spend hundreds of dollers, remove the pump, disassemble the pump body from the motor, then test the motor on a good battery.  If the motor turns as it should, you've solved the problem.  Rebuild kit 37040-0000 available at http://www.marinediscounters.com/ is all that is needed.

If the pump will not draw in water, replace the pump body as they commonly wear out.
If you pump shows signs of a leak at the backside of the pump assembly, against the motor, the seal will need to be replaced.  All parts are in the rebuild kit 370400000, except the pump body itself.  The body is Jabsco part number 12554-0000 and also available at http://www.marinediscounters.com/.

One last thing, this pump at floor level will usually have a white plastic cover over it.  Feel free to call 419-625-0605 for free technical advise.

Air Conditioning Install Kit

I get this question everyday anymore "do you offer an air conditioning install kit"?  "Well yes I do, but I need some Info, I reply." How much?", is inevetably the next question.  "Aoround 900.00, I reply."  "Wow, so and so has it for 400.00."  Is what I hear back.
BE CAREFUL.
My kits ALL include the following; Cal seawater pump, matched to the size air unit its working with.
                                                     Brass thru hull scoop, ball valve and tail piece 3/4 npt.
                                                     Sherwood sea strainer, stainless bracket and fittings.
                                                     15 ft. 5/8" ID hardwall hose.
                                                     6 ft 3/4" ID hardwall hose
                                                     16 #10 s.s. hose clamps
                                                     12 ft. duct
                                                     1 diverter (y or t)
                                                     1 M.S.I. PG return air grill with frame and filter.
                                                     2 4" M.S.I. round louvered supply grills.
                                                     15 ft. 12/3 triplex marine grade wire.
                                                     Breaker matched to size of unit.
 This is my generic kit.  I would rather see ya order the correct amount of hose, wire and duct.  It does not change the price that much and there is no splicing or left overs because of a "generic" kit.  All other parts are relevent.

So look to http://www.marinediscounters.com/ for the best price on a high quality Webasto marine air conditioner.  If you have the unit and need a kit call 419-625-0605.  Marinediscounters will ask a few painless questions and get you a COMPLETE kit for around 900.00.  Of course http://www.marinediscounters.com/ offers a wide array of Marine Air Systems grills, diverters and transition boxs at the lowest prices.                                                    
                                                    

Marine Mechanic Needed.

Rapidly growing business in boating field is aggresively searching for a highly qualified marine mechanic. Must have own tools. Must have a minimum of 5 years experience full time working on outdrives and outboards. This position is for a motivated career oriented person who wants to be part of this business for the long term. I am not afraid to pay up for the right person. No compete required, drug test required. This is a full time year round position. Only very serious & qualified need reply.


Reply to;

boatdoc@marinediscounters.com or call 419-625-0605
 
Hopefully one of my loyal customers knows someone who would like to join our team!!!!

Anodes, What should I use?

When you come to the boat this spring to start working be sure to check your anodes. Remember they MUST be magnesium in fresh water, zink ONLY in salt water & aluminum in brackish water. Many of the boaters here on Lake Erie are running Zink anodes because thats what the came on the boat. Remember there is more saltwater around U.S. than fresh water. The manufacturer of boat does not know where its going once purchased so the default is Zink. If they look "GOOD" it's because they don't work!!!! Stop into Marinediscounters or shop at www.marinediscounters.com for best prices.


www.marinediscounters.com is a great place to find the lowest prices

www.marinediscounters.com

www.marinediscounters.com offers vacuflush, buff magic, sierra, westerbeke,crusader,volvo,mpi hose. Mercruiser anodes, sherwood & johnson pump impellers...

Should I thin my bottom paint?

A question I get almost daily this time of year. "should I thin my ablative bottom paint"? Answer: For 30 yrs. I always have thinned ablative bottom paint but by no more than 10%. Not only that but I love to paint when the temp. is between 25 and 40 degrees. The paint flows better because solvents don't evaporate out so fast however drying times become much longer. This means you use less paint and here in Ohio "it aint goin nowhere soon." Thin with Mineral spirits.  I use Woolsey bottom paints as of the last 6 years, available at www.marinediscounters.com .  Before that I was using the Petitt unipoxy and Trinadad ablative bottom paints.  Petitt now makes our Woolsey brand for us so one can save substantial money by using the Woolsey paints.  Drop by www.marinediscounters.com to find all your bottom paints including Interlux products and VC17 at the lowest prices.

Try Woolsey Antifouling Bottom Paint

  Introducing Woolsey ablative antifouling bottom paint.  Woolsey is Marinediscounters and http://www.marinediscounters.com/ private label paint.  Manufactured for us by Pettit paints.  Woolsey "Ablative Plus" is a 33.6% copperous oxide ablative antifouling boat bottom paint (perfect for multiseason fresh water use).  No sanding needed when overcoating.  Is compatable with most ablative bottom paints.  Compares to EpoxyCop Ablative, Fiberglass Bottomkote ACT, Super-B Ablative, Ultima SSA,CPP Plus at a fraction of the cost.  As of this writing Woolsey Ablative Plus is available at http://www.marinediscounters.com/ for 89.97 per gallon.  Available in black,blue,green and red gallons.  Only black in quarts.  More copperous oxide paints are available in our Woolsey brand as well for our salt water customers.  Call Marinediscounters at 419-625-0605 with your questions or for quantity discounts.