How much does it cost?

[SIKSUKR]

I've never seen a brake pad that could be installed backwards because of the clips or tabs to hold them in position.

[Chaos]

Question about Merc 4.3L MPI tune up. Is it normal to have the distributor and the plug wires changed as part of the process that is recommended every other year? Seems excessive. I figured all the smart people on this thread would know.

Thanks,
Mike

[BroadHopper]

Plugs every 100 hrs, platinum plugs every 300 hrs.

Wires every 300, unless you have the expensive lifetime wires from ACCEL.

As for distributor wires???? Never replaced them.

[Flotnjr]

In my experience, it does seem excessive every other year. I've seen some distributer caps that are original, and over 15 years old. As part of a normal tune up, every three years in the spring, and it's typically the cap and plugs, but not wires. Salt water environment might cause more corrosion on the cap, but in fresh water every three years is typical.

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Chaos

Question about Merc 4.3L MPI tune up. Is it normal to have the distributor and the plug wires changed as part of the process that is recommended every other year? Seems excessive. I figured all the smart people on this thread would know.

Thanks,
Mike

I would question this practice for sure..... Plug wires should last several years, as long as they are good quality... For instance, my wires are in the range of 7 to 10 years old......As for the distributor cap, well that is a judgement call, however once again I don't think every other year is called for... The Points and the Rotor on the other hand are a different story...

[Rich]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

I would question this practice for sure..... Plug wires should last several years, as long as they are good quality... For instance, my wires are in the range of 7 to 10 years old......As for the distributor cap, well that is a judgement call, however once again I don't think every other year is called for... The Points and the Rotor on the other hand are a different story...

Another thing to keep in mind, most of us are lake bound, or at least we are when boating on the lake.

If you have a problem, you're not going to be miles from shore, or from help. Unless you are in the deepest part of the broads and you have a problem, drop an anchor and call/wait for help.

If you were on the open ocean, the need for absolute reliablity is a bit higher IMHO.

But then again, some don't want to take a chance, and change things before a problem occurs. Others prefer to get the most use out of parts and prefer to wait until a problem occurs. Which one are you?

[SIKSUKR]

One could always keep an extra set of those parts on board and run it till you have issues.

[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Chaos

Question about Merc 4.3L MPI tune up. Is it normal to have the distributor and the plug wires changed as part of the process that is recommended every other year? Seems excessive. I figured all the smart people on this thread would know.

Thanks,
Mike

I have a 4.3L in my bowrider. I'd replace the plugs when they start to show signs they need it. I pull them every fall and look them over. I replaced mine at 250 hours and arguably they were fine but at the time the boat was 7 years old and I figured for the cost of new plugs I'd throw new ones (NGK's) in. I still have the original distributor and plug wires in mine, my boat is now 12 years old.

I did however have to replace the distributor pickup coil (inside the distributor body), bad design on Merc's part the circuit board was not in sealed package and over time the moisture got to it and I started to have ignition problems. The replacement part was all sealed up in resin. This is a known problem and I'm not sure when that part was redesigned.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I've never seen a brake pad that could be installed backwards because of the clips or tabs to hold them in position.

You don't know her brother in law! LOL (just sayin)