Outboard motors face some of the harshest conditions imaginable. They are constantly exposed to the corrosive marine environment, with salt water permeating many of their components. For this reason, it comes as no surprise that they need regular maintenance.
This not only prevents the ever-present threat of rust, but it also ensures that your engine is running at its best. You need to be able to rely on your outboard motor when you hit the water, so it pays to take outboard motor maintenance seriously.
Try to run your outboard regularly
Outboard motors do not respond well to long periods without use. They are complex engines, with many moving parts that are prone to seizing. This problem is further compounded by the high likelihood of rust taking hold, due to salt water. One of the most common causes of outboard motor damage is a seized impeller. The impeller is a star-shaped rubber component that forms a part of the water intake of the engine.
This makes it very important. However, due to the design of the pump, the impeller sits slightly off-camber. Because it is rubber, the impeller can deteriorate over time. If it sits unused, then the arms on one side will be exposed to uneven pressure. This pressure will bend the arms out of shape. Consequently, the impeller will fail when the motor is finally used.
Frequently check the water intake for obstructions
Sometimes, it is not the impeller – or any engine component – that causes problems. It is not uncommon for insects to make themselves at home within your outboard motor. In fact, wasps often favour the water intake as a prime location for their nest. If unnoticed, this can block water from being ingested by the engine sufficiently. The result of this, at worst, can be catastrophic engine failure, due to overheating. The same can occur if your outboard ingests mud or silt, which often happens when they are used in water that is too shallow.
Ensure that fuel is not stale
Stale fuel can cause your outboard to run poorly, or sometimes not at all. If you outboard has been sitting unused for a lengthy period of time, you should consider draining the fuel tank and filling it with fresh fuel. If you do this, it is important to dispose of your fuel in an environmentally friendly and safe manner. If you expect that you are not going to use your boat for a while, you can purchase fuel stabilising products. When used correctly, these protect your fuel from stagnating.
Flush your outboard motor with fresh water after every trip
The most important part of preventative boat maintenance is the wash-down period after use. When you use your boat in the ocean or estuaries, it will undoubtedly be covered in salt. Simply washing down the salty surfaces might be enough for the boat, but your outboard needs some extra attention. Specifically, you must flush the engine with fresh water. You can buy custom built flush mounts that connect to your hose for this purpose. Alternatively, you can fill a large bucket or old bin with water. Then, it is simply a matter of running your engine in neutral and at idle. This will allow your engine to pump the fresh water through the intake and wash away any salt.
Check oil levels as necessary
Finally, you need to be sure that your engine has sufficient oil. This is predominately an issue in four stroke engines, as they have inbuilt oil reservoirs. However, some modern two-stroke engines take a similar approach and mix the oil and the fuel themselves. It is best to check your model with an expert to determine its oil needs. This is a simple process, but it is imperative in maintaining your outboard motor.
Do you need to get your outboard motor services? Contact the experts at Holt Marine today on (07) 3353 1928.