15hp Johnson outboard?

[a12seccrx]

Finally got the old boat that my grandpa gave me up and ready to go. Now I just got to get the motor squared away. It's a 15hp Johnson 2 stroke with very low hours, however, it has been sitting for several years now. What should I check on the motor before taking it out for the first time (oil, batteries, ect.)? I am very new to the boat world and these are simple questions, but I just want to make sure I don't go and get stranded because of something dumb. Thanks for the help!

[Two Ducks]

Get some water ears ie a five dollar item. This attaches to your hose. Start the water running, and fire it up. Check the plugs, put some gas in the spark plug holes, not much. Replace plugs, Pull the choke and pull the rope or push the starter. You are much better doing all this at home than at the busy boat ramps this time of the year. Good luck.

[djplog]

Clean and replace all the fuel in the tank. Don't forget to mix the oil in the gas, and adding a little fuel stabalizer might be a good idea too. Replace all of the fuel line, including the primer bulb. Pull the plugs and squirt a little fogging or other lubricant in the cylinders. Then, turn the engine over with the plugs out to get some lubrication on the cylinder walls and piston rings. Check the gap and the electrodes on the plugs. If there is any question about the plugs, go ahead and replace them. I have an old 15 hp Johnson, and the thing is bullet proof. I stopped using it for about 10 years cause it got real hard to start. Finally figured out that the fuel line was leaking air into the system. Changed the fuel line and bulb and it started on the first pull. Good luck with the "new" boat.