How To Maintain Boat Engines And What To Look For

Boat engines are either inboard or outboard. Inboard diesel engines are for negotiating marinas or times when you need constant power for headway. Outboards can be moved from one transom to the next. Sailboat or inflatable.

one to tend the other. Motors are used at times when it is either difficult or dangerous to use sails. Or simply when there is no wind and you'd like to get home. Maintenance is a necessary part of being around sailboats. The marine exhaust system should be checked frequently. Some quality brands you will have heard of are Volvo Penta and Mercruiser Engines.

Boat Motor

one to tend the other. Motors are used at times when it is either difficult or dangerous to use sails. Or simply when there is no wind and you'd like to get home. Maintenance is a necessary part of being around sailboats. The marine exhaust system should be checked frequently. Some quality brands you will have heard of are Volvo Penta and Mercruiser Engines.

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Or sitting on the key sorting through a list of possibilities. Worse still canceling your weekend plans and getting a nasty bill as a reminder.

Bearing in mind that you should follow the product instructions for your boat engines, here are two guidelines to follow for overall well being. For peace of mind if you don't fancy getting covered in diesel, oil and bilge waste then get a mechanic to do the overhaul. Arrange a suitable time so if you want to get some tuition - good for you.

Getting to know your outboard engine parts

Before taking the boat engines off the transom, look at the boat's outboard motor brackets made from anodized aluminum to stop corrosion. They should be snugly fitted to the transom, not wiggling about. Can you adjust the boat engine through the range of movements? - usually four. Does each adjustment click satisfactorily into place? If not grease the joints.

Outboard engine parts are simple to maintain. What you have to remember, is that boat engines operate in a highly attritious environment. Salt water is corrosive, so you need to prevent that.

Easily done with some care and attention. When you are caring for your outboard make sure that all the moving parts, including cables are coated with grease. Don't get cared away, but it prevents damp setting in. You don't want your Mercury marine or Suzuki marine engine acting up!

Get the motor out of the water on to a stand. Making sure you don't strain your back! Look for damage to the propeller - has it been hit by a submersed obstacle? Is the starter cord looking frayed? It should be replaced if necessary. This is done by untying the previous cord, then putting tension on the recoil spring. Most important, wind the cord 4 1/2 times around anti clockwise.

The pump allows water around the circuit to keep it cool. Have a look at the water pump and make sure water emerges from the outlet.

Next up, look at the spark plugs - are they clean or covered in grim? Look at the spark plug washers - are they burnt or worn? By looking at both the plugs and washers together it's possible to determine the overall condition. If the plugs are dirty they need cleaning.

To remove them it's best to use a spark plug socket with rubber insert. This is important or you might break the ceramic component of the plug. Check your oil to gasoline mix is correct for two stroke motors. This is usually the cause of dirt or the plugs. Wear on the washers is due to exhaust gases which attack the washers.

If your outboard is two stroke and the spark plugs are dirty - you need to check out your fuel. Before mixing your fuel components, put the oil in to the container first and then the gasoline. Give the container a good shake to mix up the fuel. When filling the engine tank remember to open the air valve to stop a vaccuum.

Job Done!

PS remember to buy brand specific parts like Evinrude, Yanmar or Mercury marine parts.

How to prevent trouble with inboard diesel engines

With inboard diesel As per outboards, remember it's possible to watch a mechanic work on your boat engines to gain experience. Follow the instructions and diagrams which came with your inboard.

The most important item you'll need is a powerful torch! Also make sure you can access the engine properly before starting, this includes getting at the stuffing box right at the stern.

Grease and grime do not indicate a poorly maintained outboard, however a clean exterior prevents that grime from getting in. A diesel marine should be serviced at least every five thousand hours of use. Make a note and build a list somewhere obvious of tasks you need to schedule, give them a time line.

Exterior signs to be investigated: By looking for leaks on the boat engines and going over the connections, it's easy to find them. Also by pointing the torch at the bilge water you may notice dark oil in the water - double check those tubes and connections. Another factor to look out for is wear, remember that diesel gases attack hoses and pipes ,so be rigorous when you look.

Next, check out with help from your instructions the heat exchanger. For this, you need to find the zinc or aluminum pencil, does it look corroded? If so look at the general condition of the heat exchanger. Replace as necessary.

To discover whether a head gasket or water jacket is broken or worn, you need to look at the expansion tank and how oily it is. look over head gaskets and water jacket after determining oiliness.

Nuts and bolts attract rust and are where seepage occurs. inspect them, particularly those attaching the motor to its mountings. Are they rusting? Whilst checking the mounting nuts be sure to thoroughly examine the mounting itself.

Diesel boat outboards are heavy and can punish supports, you don't want to be at sea when that breaks! Ensure that wooden mountings are not rotten. Is the metal frame supporting the motor sturdy? Run the boat engines with the hatch open and see what the motor looks like when it is running.

Bringing us on to the drive belts, look out for specks of black on the surfaces around. Tell tail signs of wear, examine the belts - how much play in them is there? more than half and inch and they are worn out.

Inboard diesel must have on board list

filters, fuel injector, fuel pipe, clicks for hoses, copper washers, fuel pump, drive belt, water pump impeller, head gaskets, propeller nuts and pins.

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