1998 Johnson Evinrude EC 5 thru 15 HP Four Stroke Service Manual, Page 36Get this manual
10Ifthe engine is removed from boat, examine all hardware you loosened or removed from the motor and its steering, throttle, and shift systemsReplace damaged or missing parts with genuine OM: parts or equivalentThese fasteners are made of special materials to resist weakening and rustingDo not substitute these fasteners with nuts and bolts which look the sameUsing the wrong nuts and bolts may result in sudden unexpected loss of engine control&
11Inspect the entire boat steering system for damage due to corrosion, aging, lack of maintenance, or abuseInspect mechanical steering cables for deterioration or cracksFollow equipment manufacturer's maintenance and lubrication recommendations when servicing the steering system12Remove battery and check its conditionwater level, and chargeStore in cool, dry place, out of direct sunlightCheck the water level and charge periodically during storageRefer to Section for battery maintenance information 13If equipped, service the boat fuel filter following instructions on canister14Remove propeller and check for damageA slightly bent propeller blade can hardly be noticed but will affect the performance of the engineClean and lubricate the propeller shaft with OM: Triple-Guard grease15Drain and refill gearcaseLubricate engineSee Lubrication, this section16Check engine carefullyMake sure screws and nuts are tightReplace damaged or worn parts