An engine, gearbox, propeller, or jet drive are all included in a self-contained outboard motor, a form of boat propulsion system that is attached to the outside of the transom. Because they are built to rotate over their mountings and so control the direction of thrust, outboard motors offer steering control. To decrease the chance of hitting the bottom, an outboard motor can be lifted manually or automatically. This is useful while traveling through shallow water when debris may be present and endanger the propeller and the motor. Every outboard motor has a manual piston release that enables the user to lower the engine to its lowest setting in the event that the electric motor needed to elevate the engine is malfunctioning.
There are specific care and maintenance guidelines that must be followed in order to maintain your petrol outboard engine operating dependably for as long as feasible. Boat parts from PartsVu required regular maintenance that is necessary for outboard motors, whether they are used in fresh or salt water, and can significantly extend their lifespan. In our category Motors, Technology, you may find all the maintenance items, equipment, and other accessories you need to maintain your boat engine.
How to flush your outboard motors
It’s crucial to flush your motors as part of regular boat maintenance. It cleans the seawater and sand out of your motor, reducing corrosion and salt buildup. PartsVu is a leading boat accessories that need to be completely flushed. It’s critical to run the motors for a sufficient amount of time to allow the thermostat to open and the fresh water to completely flush the salt out of the power head.
1-Attach ear muffs to the water intake on the outboard’s lower unit. Open the tap no more than 1/4 of the highest water pressure permissible to prevent engine damage.
2- Connect the hose to the earplugs and turn it on. Keep applying pressure until a small amount of water squirts out of the ear muff attachment on both sides.
3- Check that water is coming out of the telltale after turning the outboard motor on to idle. If it’s not, shut off the outboard motor right once to avoid overheating and speak with your service expert.
4- Start the motor and let it run until the thermostat relief begins to leak water. Don’t leave your running motor unattended. You must immediately stop the motors if the hose fitting blows or if anything else goes wrong in order to avoid harm.
5- Run the engine for a further five minutes before shutting off the hose and outboard motor. Loosen the fuel connection before flushing the outboard motor to allow the engine to burn off any residual fuel in the carburetor.
Checklist for maintenance & care of your outboard motor
Regularly inspect the fuel line for wear and cracks. PartsVu is a leading boat parts that offer you fuel lines that are virtually universally compatible with outboard motor models. Check to see if the pump ball can be moved and is not cracked.
- Check to see if the fuel connections to the lines are seated properly and are leak-free.
- Inspect the gasoline line’s hose clamps for rust or corrosion.
- Check for damage to the fuel tank. Make sure the tank ventilation is operating properly by checking it. Regularly check the tank for fuel with water in it.
- Inspect the transparent fuel strainer on the outboard engine to see if water has gathered there. At the strainer’s bottom, there is a transparent layer of water that has accumulated.
- Every 100 hours or once a year, lubricate the moving components of the trim system and the lubrication points of the steering system.
- Look for corrosion in the outboard engine and replace the sacrificial anodes if they are more than 50% rusted.
- Check the engine oil and, if necessary, change the oil filter.
- After 300 hours of operation or every three years, replace the water pump impeller.
- Inspect the outboard motor for minute paint blemishes. To prevent further damage, get rid of any rust or blisters as away.
Safety tips for boat maintenance
Regularly wash your boat with fresh water
By doing this, any saltwater accumulation that would have been damaging to your boat and equipment is removed.
At the very least once a year, service your engine
When you service your engine, you should change the spark plugs. You should also keep a spare set of plugs and a sparkplug spanner on your boat.
To ensure a powerful discharge, frequently inspect the water pump from your motor
Make that water is being discharged from the motor each time it is started. A motor can quickly overheat and be destroyed by a blocked cooling system.
Every season, check your batteries
Verify that your battery is fully charged, that it keeps its charge, and that it is kept topped off with pure water. Check the connections to make sure they are not rusted or loose.
At least four times a year, inspect fuel lines
Verify that your fuel line is free of cracks and that any connections are not rusted.
Three to four times a year, check your oil
Regularly check the oil level and pay attention to the oil’s hue. Make sure to replace it whenever it begins to get dark.
Examine your prop for blemishes or damage
Check to see if your prop is damaged and if any fishing line has been twisted around it. A damaged prop may consume a lot of fuel.
Search the hull for any visible signs of damage
Verify that the bung plugs still fit firmly and that the bilge pumps and navigation lights are in good working order.
Both the boat and the trailer should be regularly inspected
Verify the lights are on, the winch cable is secure, the rollers are in good shape, and there is little to no rust. See here for more advice on inspecting your trailer.
Check all joints and connections one last time to ensure their security
A boat walk-through should be performed three to four times a year to check for regular wear and tear and to maintain a general eye out for issues.
To keep your outboard motor in good working order, clean it frequently. If not, dirt may become trapped, obstructing it. This needs to be flushed out of the cooling system along with algae, chemicals, and salt. Preventing the accumulation of salt deposits is extremely crucial. In order to clean the outboard and perform maintenance, motor flushers are typically linked to a garden hose and a freshwater source.
