Engine damage from extended low rpm *****ing?

[pezgallo]

I have a 2001 150 HPDI with 275 hours and which runs perfectly. I recently had the engine serviced and the dealer nearly fainted when he saw how many hours I have on the engine at rpm's less than 1000. I use the engine for *****ing and everything seems to be working fine. After *****ing for some time, I run the engine at speed and then go back to *****ing. I also use ring-free. My dealer thinks I'm damaging the engine. What do the experts on the forum think? Thanks, Dan

[robert graham]

I doubt the *****ing is hurting your motor as long as you run some wide open throttle between fishing spots. I've run my 90HP motor quite a bit at low RPM's since I bought it new, and it seems to have no ill effect on it. I do remove and clean my spark plugs from time to time, as there always seems to be some black color on the center electrode insulator, but it's on there whether idling or running wide open. Maybe the continuous idling/low speed operation can be more of a problem to the newer 4 stroke motors? Good Luck!

[pezgallo]

Thanks Robert. As you can see, I don't use the boat much- about a couple of weeks per year and then store it for the winter. When I winterize, I pull/clean the plugs and fog the engine per the manual's instructions. I'm still on the original plugs and they look great. The dealer really put the fear into me by his comments. I hate to buy a $3000 kicker motor for the amount of time I use this.