Indmar Marine Engines

6.3 The dealer says my part is no longer available. What am I supposed to to do? Do you have something that will work in place of it?

6.4 Can you cross reference parts to Fram, Champion, NGK, etc?

6.5 What is the difference between auto/marine parts? Can I use auto parts on my engine?

6.6 Where can I buy genuine Indmar Parts and how much do they cost?

1. Performance FAQ

1.1 How can I get more speed and horsepower out of my engine?

Boat speed and performance depend on many things like boat hull type and condition, propeller type and condition, and the condition of the engine. You should check these basic items before thinking about modifications to get more horsepower or speed. Indmar engines are built to give the best performance and reliability. Engine modifications can have serious effects on the life of the engine package and may put your warranty coverage at risk. We cannot help you modify your engine.

1.2 Can I install a supercharger, turbocharger or nitrous oxide on my engine?

Indmar has not tested and cannot approve the use of aftermarket products like these. Improper installation and/or application of these type products can cause severe engine damage, which could void the warranty.

1.3 Can I change my carbureted engine to fuel injected?

We do not have a fuel injection conversion kit for any of our engines. Components that would need to be changed include the ECM (computer), wiring harness, intake manifold, fuel delivery system (rail, lines, pump), ignition system, etc.

1.4 Will modification of my engine void the warranty?

The warranty does not apply to damage or failures caused by use of an accessory or part not manufactured or sold by us. See the appropriate Indmar Warranty Policy for your product or in your operator manual.

2. Fuel and Lubrication FAQ

2.1 What type of fuel should I use?

All current production engines are designed to operate on 89 octane, unleaded fuel. Little or no performance gain will be realized by using fuel of a higher octane rating than the engine requires. If your engine is a 2007 Model, equipped with ETX-CAT (catalytic converter) exhaust manifolds, the use of any leaded fuel will disable the catalysts, prevent the engine from operating properly and void the warranty on the engine.

The Malibu LS1 and the MasterCraft LQ9 engines require the use of 93-octane fuel. Failure to use 93-octane fuel will result in engine damage that is not covered by your engine warranty.

2.2 Are there any fuel additives that I should use?

The only fuel additive that Indmar recommends is the use of Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer. Stabilization of fuel is required during off-season storage. We also recommend the regular use of Sta-Bil for boaters who don�t regularly burn a tank of fuel every week or two.

2.3 Can I use reformulated or oxygenated fuels?

Reformulated (oxygenated) gasoline is required in certain areas of the USA. The two types of "oxygenates" used in these fuels are alcohol (ethanol) or ether (MTBE or ETBE). These reformulated gasolines are acceptable for use in your Indmar engine. If the gasoline in your area contains either methanol (methyl alcohol) or ethanol, you should be aware of certain adverse effects that can occur. See your operator manual for details.

2.4 What type of oil should I use? Can I use synthetic oil?

Indmar recommends (and uses at our factory) Pennzoil Marine 15W40 Motor Oil. If Pennzoil 15W40 Marine Oil is not available in your area, we suggest using 20W40 or 20W50 oil meeting the API specification of SJ/CG4 or better.

Synthetic oil that meets our requirement of 15W40and API rating of SJ/CJ4 is acceptable to use after 100 hours or operation with the recommended (not synthetic) oil. The use of synthetic oil does not alter the requirement for oil changes at 50-hour intervals.

Older operator manuals, and other publications that are not regularly updated will not be revised to show this latest engine oil recommendation. Current operator manuals, and other service publications that receive regular updates will receive this revised recommendation the next time they are updated.

3. Technical FAQ

3.1 What are the specifications for my Indmar engine?

A general listing of specifications is included in our Indmar product section. Additional technical information can be found in the owner manual for your engine, or you can check with your local authorized Indmar dealer.

3.2 How do I obtain horsepower curves, torque curves, or fuel consumption data?

Horsepower and torque curves are not published because they are considered confidential company information. Fuel consumption data is not published because it is affected by factors beyond our control, such as boat hull type, temperature, humidity, altitude, gear ratios, propeller, etc. In some cases, fuel consumption or other performance data is available from your boat manufacturer for a specific boat/engine combination. You may also find this type of information in boating magazines that run tests on the types of boats you are interested in.

3.3 I need to replace my existing engine. What will fit?

Due to the large number of different engine/boat configurations and the changes made to engine packages over the years, we suggest you contact your dealer and/or boat manufacturer for specific guidance in your case

3.4 I want to upgrade to a more powerful engine. How much more performance can I expect?

This depends on many factors such as hull type, weight distribution, maximum horsepower rating of the boat, etc., and cannot be accurately determined without more information. We suggest you contact your dealer or boat manufacturer for specific guidance in your case.

4. Propeller FAQ

4.1 What's the best propeller for my Indmar Engine?

Your engine should be propped so that it operates at or near the top end of its recommended rpm range at wide-open throttle with a normal boatload (fuel, gear, people, etc.) An engine that does not reach the rated RPM at wide-open throttle is in an "over propped" condition, resulting in "lugging". This high-torque operation puts a tremendous load on the pistons, crankshaft, and bearings. Even if you may seldom operate your boat at wide-open throttle, the engine bust be able to operate in the specified range.

On the other hand, an engine that revs past the recommended RPM will have higher than normal wear and can also be damaged. All Indmar EFI engines have RPM limiters set to prevent the engine from over-revving. Indmar carbureted engines do not have RPM limiters so care must be taken to avoid allowing the engine to exceed the maximum RPM.

Propping is not an exact science and may require some trial and error. The maximum RPM your engine can achieve is dictated by propeller pitch. Generally speaking, one inch of propeller pitch equals 150-200RPM. To increase your engine RPM, you should decrease propeller pitch and vice versa. Your local authorized dealer can assist you in choosing the best propeller.

RPM Ranges for current production engines follow:

All carbureted (GM based) engines - 4400-4800 RPM
All Throttle Body EFI - 4400-4800 RPM
4.6 Litre Northstar Engine 5500-6000 RPM
5.7 Litre Cast Iron Multi-Port Fuel Injected Engines 4600-5000 RPM
5.7 Litre with ETX or ETX-CAT Exhaust Manifolds 4800-5200
5.7 Litre (LS1) and 6.0L (LQ9 and LY6) Engines 5200-5600 RPM
8.1 Litre Multi Port Fuel Injected Engine 5000-5400 RPM

4.2 How can I improve hole-shot and top speed performance?

No single propeller can deliver both optimum hole-shot and top speed performance. You will need to decide which aspect of performance is more important to you and select a propeller that is best suited for that purpose.

5. Winterization FAQ

5.1 How do I winterize my Indmar product?

Because of variations in models, it is not possible to include this information for all of our products on this website. We recommend that you have this procedure done by an authorized dealer. The raw water section of the cooling system must be COMPLETELY drained for winter storage, or immediately after cold weather use, if the possibility of freezing temperatures exists. You can refer to your owner's manual for the location of the drain plugs. Failure to do this may result in trapped water causing freeze and/or corrosion damage to the engine. Damage caused by freezing IS NOT covered by the Indmar limited warranty. Detailed winterization instructions are in the current product operator manual. A downloadable copy of the operator manual is available on this website.

5.2 Do I need to put antifreeze into the cooling system after draining?

It is not essential to fill the cooling system with antifreeze, on a raw water cooled engine, if you are absolutely sure that no water remains in the system. If you do fill the cooling system on your raw water cooled engine for storage purposes, make sure to drain it from the engine and properly dispose of it before putting the boat back into commission. It is illegal to dump any anti-freeze into the water.

5.3 Can I use propylene glycol (RV antifreeze) in my engine?

Raw Water Cooled Engines - Propylene glycol RV antifreeze with a rust inhibitor is approved for use in the raw water cooling system for cold weather storage purposes ONLY.

Fresh Water Cooled (closed cooled) Engines � If your engine is equipped with a closed cooling system, you should always use an appropriate mixture of Sierra Brand propylene glycol antifreeze and water in this system. Make sure to check the mixing ratio on the anti-freeze container. Even if you don't live in a freezing climate, you should still use an antifreeze/water mixture rather than plain water. Antifreeze mixtures have superior anti-corrosion and boil over protection properties.

Note also that a special antifreeze tester is needed to verify the freezing protection level of propylene glycol antifreeze.

5.4 How many drain plugs are on my engine and where are they located?

For specific information you should consult your owner's manual, or check with your local authorized dealer. If you are not absolutely sure how to drain the engine, take it to your dealer. Freeze damage from improper winterization is not covered by your engine warranty.

6. Parts FAQ

6.1 Where can I find the part numbers for specific engine or drive components?

This information is published in our parts manuals or available from authorized dealers. You may purchase a parts manual from your dealer or by contacting Indmar at 901-353-9930. You�ll need your engine serial number to order the proper manual.

6.2 What is the warranty on parts?

Genuine Indmar parts carry a limited 12-month warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. For specific details, contact your local dealer.

6.3 The dealer says my part is no longer available. What am I supposed to do? Do you have something that will work in place of it?

Indmar makes every effort to provide service replacement parts as long as possible. Many times, older part numbers will supersede to a newer part number or a replacement kit. If new replacement parts are not available, your dealer may have sources for obtaining salvaged components.

6.4 Can you cross reference parts to Fram, Champion, NGK, etc?

We do not cross-reference parts. Many of our parts are designed specifically for our engines and no cross-references are available. We can only recommend replacement parts that we have tested and know are compatible with our engines.

6.5 What is the difference between auto/marine parts? Can I use auto parts on my engine?

Electrical, ignition, and fuel system components on Indmar engines are designed and manufactured to comply with U.S. Coast Guard rules and regulations to minimize risks of fire or explosion. Use of replacement electrical, ignition, or fuel system components, which do not comply with these rules and regulations, could result in a fire or explosion hazard and should be avoided. Also, many other components on Indmar engines are designed and manufactured differently from standard automotive parts. Marine engines operate at or near full-throttle for most of their lives. They are also expected to operate in both fresh and saltwater environments. These conditions require numerous special parts. Care should be exercised when replacing marine engine parts, as specifications are quite different from those of the standard automotive engine.

6.6 Where can I buy genuine Indmar Parts and how much do they cost?

Indmar Parts are sold only through authorized dealerships. Your local dealer can provide you with the retail price of these parts. Retail prices may vary in your area.

7. Maintenance FAQ

7.1 Is it better to change my engine oil and transmission fluid at the beginning or end of the season?

It is better to change the oil and transmission fluid at the end of the season, prior to storage. Lubricants naturally accumulate moisture, combustion by-products, and other contaminants during use. It can be detrimental to store an engine or drive with large amounts of these contaminants present.

7.2 How often should maintenance be performed?

Recommended maintenance intervals are included in your operator manual.

7.3 Can I use Split-Fire spark plugs?

Indmar has not tested and cannot approve the use of split fire spark plugs. Incorrect spark plugs can foul, cause radio frequency interference, cause the engine to run poorly, and may cause severe engine damage from detonation. Your warranty does not cover damage caused by the use of products not recommended by Indmar. The operator lists the recommended spark plug for your engine.

7.4 There is a small amount of water dripping from the water-circulating pump on the front of my engine. Is this normal?

Yes, it is not unusual for a small amount of water to drip from the weep hole on the underside of the water-circulating pump. The seal in this pump is cooled and lubricated with water so a small amount of water leaking from the pump is possible. Leak rates of a drop of two every 5-10 seconds is not excessive. Leak rates higher than that or a steady stream of water indicated that the seal has been damaged and the pump should be replaced with a new or remanufactured marine circulating pump.

If you run your boat in extremely shallow water or run it aground, it is possible to draw sand or other debris into the engine, which could damage the circulating pump as well as the seawater pump.

7.5 How often should I change the rubber seawater pump impeller?

The seawater pump impeller should be inspected for damage and/or wear on an annual basis. We recommend removing the impeller and leaving it out of the pump housing during winter storage. If the impeller looks worn, burned or damaged, it should be replaced.

A telltale indication that the impeller should be replaced is if the engine temperature on the temperature gauge in your boat starts creeping higher than normal.

If you run your boat aground or in very shallow water or if you pick up a plastic bag over your water intake, the impeller should be inspected and replaced if damaged. We suggest that you keep a spare impeller and gasket and some basic tools onboard your boat in case you damage an impeller.

NEVER run your engine without it being in the water or without water supplied to the engine. The impeller will be damaged within a very short time and the engine may be damaged if it is allowed to run for long without cooling water,

7.6 My operator manual lists the oil capacity for my engine, but when I change the oil it won't take that much without being overfilled. Why?

The engine oil capacities given in the operator manual are approximate and indicate what the capacity of the entire lubrication system is. A small amount of oil remains in the crankcase, oil lines, etc. This is why it is difficult to get the indicated amount of oil in the engine without it being overfilled. You should always fill the crankcase according to the dipstick when the engine is level, preferably with the boat at rest in the water. If the oil is at the full mark on the dipstick, then it is at the proper level regardless of how much you put in. It is important not to overfill or under fill the crankcase. The engine oil level should always be between the add and the full marks on the dipstick.

If you check the engine oil when the engine is hot, wait 5 minutes after shutting the engine off to allow the oil to drain back into the oil pan.

7.7 I use my engine in Saltwater. Will that hurt it?

If you are using your engine more than 25% of the time in saltwater, we recommend that you purchase a Saltwater Specific engine. These engines are equipped with full freshwater cooling systems and special anti-corrosion treatments that will help the engine live under the extremes of saltwater use.

If you use your engine less than 25% of the time in saltwater, diligent flushing of the engine should be sufficient.

7.8 How often should I flush my engine in saltwater use?

For maximum corrosion protection, we recommend that the engine be flushed with freshwater after each saltwater use.

7.9 Why do I have to periodically check my engine alignment?

With time and usage, the engine will sometimes get out of alignment with the prop shaft. Misalignment may cause unusual vibration in the drive train and could damage the seals in the transmission causing leaks and possible damage. Damage caused by improper engine is not covered under the limited warranty.

7.10 Are there any tips for do-it-yourself maintenance?

If you are a person who likes to do-it-yourself, here are some suggestions for you: Present-day marine equipment, such as your Indmar power package, is an advanced technological piece of machinery. Electronic ignition and special fuel delivery systems provide greater fuel economies, but are also more complex for the untrained mechanic.

Do not attempt any maintenance or repairs which are not covered in the operator manual unless you are aware of the precautions and procedures required. Your safety is very important to us.

Most engine repair procedures are meant for the trained mechanic. Do not attempt repairs if you do not understand the procedures.

There are special tools and equipment that are required to perform some repairs. Do not attempt these repairs unless you have these special tools and/or equipment.

Please do not contact the dealer, service office, or the factory to request troubleshooting help or to request the repair procedure. It is difficult to diagnose a problem over the telephone or via e-mail.

Remember, your authorized dealer is there to provide service for your power package. Dealers have qualified, factory-trained mechanics.

8. Warranty FAQ

8.1 Is the warranty on my Indmar engine transferable?

Yes, providing the transaction (trade-in, resale) is handled by an authorized Indmar Dealer.

8.2 How can I get warranty service on my engine if I am on vacation and not near the dealer who sold me the boat?

Any authorized Indmar Dealer can perform warranty service on your engine. Any dealer selling Malibu, MasterCraft, Supra or Moomba boats is an Indmar dealer and should be able to provide assistance. There are also many independent Indmar dealers out there, so check the yellow page listings for the area you are in.

9. New product Purchase FAQ

9.1 I am looking at buying a new boat, which has several different engine/transmission options. Which one should I get?

This is a complex question, which doesn't really have a definite answer. It is similar to purchasing a new car and trying to decide which engine or transmission to get. You should look at the pros and cons of each option and decide which features are more important to you for the type of boating you intend to do. Many times, boat manufacturers will have test data available illustrating the performance of the same boat with different power options. Many dealers will be happy to arrange a test drive with different engines.