Tips to Maintain an Outboard Motor
Your boat’s outboard motor needs regular maintenance to keep it in good shape. That’s why we here at L&M Marine have created this guide with some tips for maintaining your craft’s outboard motor. Keep reading to learn more, then visit us at our dealership in Stapleton, AL, to get your concerns addressed by our experts. We can also show you our latest collection of boats for sale and help you upgrade your vessel before your next outing. We proudly serve our friends from Mobile, AL, and Pensacola, FL.
1. Use Your Resources
The first resource you should refer to is the outboard motor’s owner’s manual, which has essential information about your specific model. It'll provide tips for maintaining the outboard motor and recommend products that you should use for cleaning or repairing it.
Before you start maintaining your outboard motor, gather all the tools and supplies. If you aren’t comfortable using the tools or you aren’t equipped to handle the maintenance job, don’t do it. You may end up damaging the engine, so let a professional technician tackle it.
2. Establish a Routine
If you choose to maintain your outboard motor yourself, you’ll need to regularly inspect the engine, regardless of whether you take out your vessel often or not. To access the engine, remove the outer cover (cowling) that protects the motor from the water. Look for signs of leaking and premature wear and tear. Also, inspect the spark plugs and change them once a year. Additionally, you must replace the engine oil regularly. Consider changing it out every three months or after 20 hours of operation, whichever comes first. However, if you notice that the oil appears dark and sludgy, you must replace it immediately.
3. Post-Boating Maintenance
Besides a regular maintenance schedule, ensure that you rinse and flush the outboard engine after every trip. When there is water left in the engine, it can corrode the parts and result in costly repairs. To avoid this, pull your boat out of the water and start up its engine. Leave it in neutral and let it pump out the water. Clamp the fuel line to prevent the gas from spraying all over the place. You’ll now want to disengage the fuel line and allow the engine to burn off any remaining fuel. Once the engine is dry, shut it down and hit the battery switch (if applicable).
4. Seek Professional Help
Even after regular maintenance of your boat’s outboard motor, there may be an issue that you find too complex to handle. Don’t worry; we have you covered. Connect with our service department at L&M Marine and get a professional technician to fix the issue for you. If you try to repair a complex problem on your outboard motor without the right tools and skills, you may damage the engine further. So, it’ll be better if you let a well-trained technician handle it.
We hope these tips help you maintain your boat’s outboard motor. If you have more questions or want to upgrade your vessel, visit us at our dealership in Stapleton, AL. We have an extensive inventory of boats for sale, and we will help you choose a model that’s right for your lifestyle. Come down to our dealership if you’re from Mobile, AL, or Pensacola, FL.