i would also remove the carb and replace the gaskets.

sure, and renew your library card, which is a lot more useful replacing the
replacing the gaskets.

dood, have you ANY idea what gaskets look like, let alone what causes them to
fail? If so, just why in hell did you post the following?

From: (BenC)
Date: 10/22/2004 9:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time
Message-id:

(Art Coe) wrote in message
.com...
Appreciate some thoughts on putting my outboard motor (30 hp
Mariner)back into service. I knew it would be out of operation for
awhile so I flushed it out good, ran the carb dry, changed the lower
unit oil, squirted some two stroke oil into the cylinders via the
spark plug holes and pulled the starter cord a couple of times.

Time slipped on by and the press of other things kept me away from my
boat. Now, when I'm ready to start using it again, I realize that 10
years have passed since I "serviced" it. I'm not sure how to proceed.
Do I have a piece of junk, suitable only as an anchor or scrap
aluminum? Should I simply get some fresh gas, hook up the battery and
try to fire it up? Should I tear it down and replace gaskets, pump
impeller, etc. before trying to fire it up?

Any advice appreciated.

hello art, servicing your waterpump is a good idea. after a 10 year
dormant period your impellor will be compromised. its also important
to remove the gearbox to replenish the driveshaft lubrictaion. this is
an often overlooked area because waterpumps work very well for
extended periods. not to rain on anyones parade but the wd40 idea is a
bad one, im glad it worked but i can honestly see it doing more harm
then good to an internal combustion engine.
i would also remove the carb and replace the gaskets. completely look
at the entire fuel system, the lines, the fuel pump and the fuel line
fitting orings.
inspect the inside of the fuel tank for any kind of water or debris.
doing nothing will see you rowing home, doing some of the above
mentioned basics will see your boating go much smoother. if you have
any further questions feel free to use my email to avoid a lot of the
sillyness this forum encounters. good luck