EMT

EMT Boat Repair Facility & Small Batch American Tackle Builder. www.elitemarinetexas.com 936-239-1209 Independent marine service provider.

No affiliation or endorsement by Mercury, Suzuki, or Yamaha.

⚡ DIELECTRIC GREASE: Most of yall thought it was for electricity right?  WRONG! Let’s set the record straight on one of ...
23/09/2025

⚡ DIELECTRIC GREASE: Most of yall thought it was for electricity right? WRONG!

Let’s set the record straight on one of the most misunderstood products in the marine world: dielectric grease!

❌ Myth: "Dielectric Grease Conducts Electricity"

Nope. Not even close.

The term "dielectric" literally means non-conductive — it’s designed to insulate, not conduct. So putting it directly on metal electrical contacts thinking it improves connectivity? That’s a common mistake and can actually cause issues, especially in low-voltage signal systems like outboard ECUs, sensor, & injector harnesses.

✅ What Dielectric Grease Actually Does

✔️Prevent moisture intrusion

✔️Stop corrosion at the terminals

✔️Keep salt, grime, and water out of electrical connections

✔️Reduce arcing in high-voltage systems (like plug boots)

It's especially helpful in marine environments where salt and humidity are always trying to destroy your wiring!

🔧 How to Use It Properly

The correct application method is:

Make your electrical connection FIRST (metal-to-metal)

Then apply a light coat of dielectric grease AROUND the seal, boot, or connector opening

This way it protects the contacts without insulating them from each other

For example:

On spark plug boots: Apply grease inside the boot, not on the plug tip

On Deutsch or WeatherPack connectors: Apply a thin layer around the outer lip or O-ring seal, not directly on the pins

💡 Where It Should Be Used

Spark plug boots (to prevent arcing & ease removal)

Sensor connectors (TPS, IAC, MAP, etc.)

Trailer harness plugs

Battery terminal boots

Anywhere water exposure is common — just not on the actual electrical contact points

🧠 Final Thought from us at EMT

We’ve seen countless outboards come in with misfires, communication faults, or no-starts caused by grease-filled pins — all because someone applied dielectric grease thinking it was "conductive protection." It’s not. It’s insulation.

Done right, dielectric grease is your electrical system’s best friend. Done wrong, it’s a silent killer.

Have questions? Want us to inspect or clean up some questionable connections on your boat? That’s what we do! Come see us.

EMT
Livingston Texas
936-239-1209

⚡ LETS TALK OLDER MERC EFI ENGINES! Don't Just Replace ONE Switch Box — Here's Why It Can Cost You More money & headache...
22/09/2025

⚡ LETS TALK OLDER MERC EFI ENGINES! Don't Just Replace ONE Switch Box — Here's Why It Can Cost You More money & headaches in the Long Run ⚡

LISTEN UP! 📣

When dealing with ignition issues on Mercury 2-stroke EFI engines, we always recommend replacing both switch boxes as a pair — not just the one that’s acting up.

👉 Why? Because these units work in tandem. They send alternating firing signals and rely on synchronization to properly deliver spark to the correct cylinders. If one switch box fails, the other is often not far behind — or worse, the bad one can take out the new one with it.

🔧 We’ve seen it too many times in the shop: someone replaces one box trying to save money OR they werent educated correctly from the start, only to come back weeks later with another issue — misfire, weak spark, dropped cylinder, or rough idle — and now the brand-new box is fried from trying to work with a failing partner. We've seen this in many forms including starboard bank cylinders contributing more than port bank cylinders during a drop test and/or the other way around.

👎 This is especially true with older motors or aftermarket components. A single box replacement might temporarily mask a problem, but it’s a gamble you don’t want to take on the water. Especially since its not so easy to flag someone down for help being in the middle of a lake!

✅ What you SHOULD do: Replace them as a matched pair, ensure all grounds are clean and tight, and confirm proper bias voltage between them. That gives your engine a clean slate and helps prevent costly callbacks or “ghost” problems that eat up your time & money.

✔️ Keep in mind, some CDI brand boxes come with instructions on a grounding procedure before first start up. But OEM boxes are bolt-on and go ✈️

🧠 Think of switch boxes like brake pads — you don’t just replace one side. These are ignition components that communicate together, and you’re only as strong as your weakest link. Same thing applies to batteries wired in "series" or "parallel", one weak link will drag the other one down with it. It's not an IF... its when!

Want us to take a look at your ignition system? We’re happy to help troubleshoot, test, and recommend the right parts the first time, every time. If youre not comfortable doing this yourself, bring us the rig and let us wave our magic wands!

📞 EMT - 936-239-1209
📍 Livingston, TX
📦 We also ship parts nationwide as well as provide a way for you to ensure youre getting what's right for your set-up!

🤔 DON’T WANT TO HAUL YOUR BOAT 1,000+ MILES JUST TO GET ANSWERS? 🚤What if you could have a professional mechanic in your...
22/09/2025

🤔 DON’T WANT TO HAUL YOUR BOAT 1,000+ MILES JUST TO GET ANSWERS? 🚤

What if you could have a professional mechanic in your corner anytime you need help—without leaving your driveway?

EMT is exploring a brand-new subscription program designed for boat owners who want:

✅ Step-by-step diagnostic guidance
✅ Expert mechanical advice tailored to YOUR rig
✅ Troubleshooting before small issues become costly problems
✅ Priority access to tips, tricks, and years of high-performance/fishing experience

Think of it like a mechanic’s hotline—your direct line to the knowledge you need to keep your boat running right, save money, and get back on the water faster.

👇 Here’s where we need YOUR input:

✔️ Would you use a service like this?

✔️ What would make it most valuable for you?

✔️ At what price point would it feel like a “no-brainer”?

We’re considering different tiers—from a simple support package for casual boaters all the way up to an elite concierge plan for guides, pros, and heavy users. Remember, to make it work for both sides we will have to be paid for our time, however with different "tiers", you will be able to choose what fits your budget for the help you think you might need. 1-2 quick calls per month? The lower tier might be for you. Or maybe you want the capability of multiple calls, Hour long diagnosis & support? Then the top tier may be for you.

We have a ways to go yet to build this system for you guys but its possible & available! Let us know what you think 🧠

💬 Drop a comment below if this sounds like something you’d want. Your feedback will shape how we roll this out!

⚡️ Skip the haul. Skip the wait. Get expert answers when you need them.

— Elite Marine Technology

Always be thankful for what you have 💯
19/09/2025

Always be thankful for what you have 💯

💸 Lies, Myths & Misinformation Can Cost You Thousands! Just like you wouldn't weld wood, we wouldn't tell you that you c...
19/09/2025

💸 Lies, Myths & Misinformation Can Cost You Thousands!

Just like you wouldn't weld wood, we wouldn't tell you that you could, but theres always someone that does. 😎

We see it all the time: guys doing something a certain way because “someone on a forum said it was fine” or “my buddy swears it works” — and then they show up at our shop with a blown motor, cooked electronics, or an issue that could’ve been prevented.

⚠️ Common Examples That Can Burn You:

"You don’t need a cranking battery that big."
→ Meanwhile, your $10K sonar rig is starving for voltage and burning itself out.

"Any 2-stroke oil will work — it’s all the same."
→ Until your carbon buildup starts causing ring stick or detonation on an Optimax.

"You don’t need to torque that — just tighten it by feel."
→ Cue the sheared flywheel key or warped intake bolts.

"My guy said it’s okay to run ethanol as long as you add stabilizer."
→ Now your injectors are gummed up and your boost pump is toast.

"You can use automotive plugs, they’re cheaper."
→ Yes, and you’re also getting cheaper results — and risking engine damage.

🔍 Why This Happens:

People mean well, but they pass along outdated, incomplete, or brand-specific info that doesn’t apply to your setup.

Forums, YouTube, and Facebook groups are full of opinions, not facts.

Some shops may even give intentionally vague advice to keep customers coming back with problems they “can fix.”

✅ What We Want You to Know

We’re not here to upsell or call out anyone else — we’re here to give you the facts, backed by real-world experience with hundreds of boats per year. Doing things right can cost a few more bucks yes, but its nothing when you compare the costs of having to do it all over again. 💯

If we tell you something, it’s because we’ve seen it before.

If we recommend a certain setup, it’s because we’ve tested it and know it works.

If we warn you about a risk, it’s because we’ve had to repair it for someone who didn’t know.

💬 When In Doubt, Just Ask Us

We love helping our guys avoid problems before they start. A quick message or call could save you hundreds — or even thousands — on preventable repairs.

If it sounds too good to be true...
If you’re getting conflicting advice...
If something just doesn’t feel right...

👉 Bring us the rig, or Run it by us first. We’ve got your back.

EMT
Livingston TX
936-239-1209

🤯 GRAPHING FOR FISH IS KILLING YOUR OUTBOARD!?  Why all those "idle" hours aren't necessarily attractive when youre buyi...
18/09/2025

🤯 GRAPHING FOR FISH IS KILLING YOUR OUTBOARD!? Why all those "idle" hours aren't necessarily attractive when youre buying used engines! Listen up!

We know a lot of guys like to let their motor idle around the docks, in the creek, or while working shallow spots — but modern outboards aren’t designed to idle all day. And if you do it long enough, you’ll start to notice some very real issues...

🔥 Why Idling Wears Your Engine Down

Low combustion temps during extended idle time don’t fully burn the fuel-air mix.

This creates carbon buildup on plugs, injectors, piston rings, and exhaust ports.

That buildup leads to:

Harder starts

Poor fuel economy

Boggy hole shots

Sluggish throttle response

On some 4-strokes and DFI 2-strokes (like Optimax), excessive idling can even foul sensors, causing bigger problems down the line.

🛠️ Real-World Damage We’ve Seen

Fouled plugs after just a couple weekends of heavy idling. "I cant figure out why my plugs foul so fast!"

Sticky piston rings that caused low compression under load.

Oil dilution (on 4-strokes) where raw fuel starts thinning your crankcase oil. "My engine MAKES oil!"

Plugged up reeds and exhausts full of unburnt carbon gunk.

✅ How to Idle Smarter and Run Right

If you have to idle, here’s how to keep it healthy:

Limit idle time to short durations when possible.

Don’t idle to warm up — 30–60 seconds is plenty.

After long idling, do a short WOT (wide open throttle) blast to burn off carbon.

Use fuel additives like Ring Free or Quickleen to minimize carbon buildup.

Service your plugs more often if you idle regularly.

Let us adjust your timing/fuel maps if your motor is older or sluggish.

🧠 Reminder: These Engines Like to Run

Most of the newer motors (and even the older EFI stuff) are happiest above 3,000 RPM now and then. Just like a truck doesn’t like to be driven 25mph its whole life — your engine needs heat, load, and RPM to stay clean and healthy.

💬 Got questions or think your engine needs gone thru? No problem, give us a call. We are here to help.

EMT
Hwy 59 Livingston Texas
936-239-1209

Few things happening today! We've got our friend Larry's Nitro here for a lower unit swap & we were able to save him a f...
16/09/2025

Few things happening today! We've got our friend Larry's Nitro here for a lower unit swap & we were able to save him a few bucks by selling him a good used unit we had laying around with a new prop, hub, water pump kit, & service. We will also do a re-learn on his idle trim. Finally finished up the extensive fat cat project 🙏 Then weve got a 225 Promax thats doing promax things! If you know anything about these Promax engines, you know its going to get the once over with every bit of electrical equipment we have. 🤘🤘🤘

EMT
Livingston Texas
936-239-1209

ProMax doing Promax things! These things are super simple engines but when the issues are intermittent it can take some ...
16/09/2025

ProMax doing Promax things! These things are super simple engines but when the issues are intermittent it can take some time to get them sorted out. To this day, arguably one of the best mercury engines ever built, BUT not without their own set of problems 😅

EMT
Livingston Texas
936-239-1209

LISTEN UP! We’re excited to be back on our normal routine and rolling out our performance tips and help posts for you gu...
16/09/2025

LISTEN UP! We’re excited to be back on our normal routine and rolling out our performance tips and help posts for you guys again!

Today we’re focusing on one of the most common hidden causes of lost power and something we cant stress enough! Spark plugs!!!!!!

👉 Conditions like high humidity or trimming the engine too far under at idle can cause the exhaust relief hole to sit below the waterline. This leads to:
• Rough idle
• Excessive smoke
• Restricted exhaust flow
• Carbon-fouled spark plugs

Id also like to make a note about how V8 ProXS owners note alot of smoke at start up sometimes! This is caused by oil seeping past rings and storing inside the cylinders because you leave the engines trimmed down after idling around. If you trim the engine up after idling and before killing the ignition, this will minimize if not completely go away. The reason is because your outboard piston rings aren't like car/truck engine rings. They're designed a little differently and can cause this issue if the right steps aren't taken to prevent it 😎

👉 Carbon build-up robs horsepower, lowers RPM, and can even cost you 3–5 MPH on the water.

💡 The fix? Stay on top of spark plug maintenance. Fresh plugs often restore lost performance — and if you know how to “read” your plugs, they’ll reveal a lot about what’s happening inside your engine. (A STORY FOR ANOTHER DAY) ✔️

We’re glad to be back sharing these insights with you all. Every MPH, every RPM, and every ounce of reliability counts — and we’ve got your back.

Engine running sluggish?? WE HAVE SOLUTIONS! Whether we need to just give it some juice or we need to check out the operating systems on the engines, we can help. We work on engines from all over the country to sort out power robbing issues as well as set up problems that everyone else overlooks, including your local mechanics & dealerships. Let us help, weve been known to find up to 20mph in your rigs and plenty of customers to back that up! Even if it means a few extra bucks to get your boat to us. We are here to help and here to stay! 🦾

EMT
Livingston Texas
936-239-1209

Them: How do you get around in a shop that big? US: Manually operated segways and skateboards.
13/09/2025

Them: How do you get around in a shop that big?

US: Manually operated segways and skateboards.

It's a daily thing. Most wouldn't make it a week.
13/09/2025

It's a daily thing. Most wouldn't make it a week.

13/09/2025

✈️ SCB GETS ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! ✈️

2016 Simmons Recon R24 with another Elite Set Up Package!

All the way to Texas from Florida, this 2016 Simmons R24 aircraft carrier came in running 43.7 MPH. After dialing it in with our Elite Set Up Package and a PowerTech BRV 21p prop, we turned wrenches, fine-tuned every angle, and put our heads together to get it absolutely DIALED 🫨.

💥 A massive gain to 61.5 MPH — that’s nearly +20 TWENTY MPH we found through the right setup, geometry, and prop with only 200 horsepower! 🤯

Big thanks to the customer for trusting us with this rig — another proof that when everything is optimized, the results speak for themselves. We don't need to satisfy the naysayers, the proof is in the pudding 🍽

EMT
936-239-1209
Livingston Texas

Address

176 Castle Street
TX
77351

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 18:00
Thursday 09:00 - 18:00
Friday 09:00 - 18:00
Saturday 09:00 - 18:00

Telephone

+19365376551

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