subject: How To Keep Your Outboard Motor In Shape [print this page] Although outboard motors do not need to be maintained daily, they face more trials during every use than car engines. In other words, outboard motors require even more diligent maintenance due to the fact that they are exposed to harsher natural environments than a car engine would be. For instance, a car engine does not regularly, if not never, have to deal with water intrusions, and you also do not necessarily have to worry about the potential harm of salt water being imposes on a car engine. Thus, to preserve the longevity of a boat's outboard motor, the following steps of action are necessary to be put into practice after every use:
First and foremost, you should expel the all water-types from your engine by flushing the engine. A great way to approach this task is to buy a rubber seal that is attached to a metal clamp called "rabbit ears". This item can help you flush out the engine with ease and it is quite versatile. Just connect the rabbit ears to a hose and also attach the rabbit ears to the bottom part of the motor where the motor is exposed to water. Then you are ready to take the next step to start the engine to make the water pump do its work. The water pump cycles fresh water in as it flushes the water containing salt and sediments out, saving your boat from the dangers of corrosion.
Step two: Help the water pump to pump out water by starting the engine. This process will help clean water to circulate into the boat and expel the salt and sediment residues.
Step three: Be sure to check the water flow when your motor is being flushed. If the water flow is weak or not at its full pumping potential, you might have to stop the engine to unclog the outflow tube in your boat. Simply use a small wire and pick out whatever might be clogging the tube. After you are unclog the tube, turn on the engine once more and check the water flow another time.
After the water has been flushed out, be sure to drain out the extra oil that might have collected in the gas line of the boat. Replace the fuel line once the extra fuel has been expelled completely. The last step of technical work is to check for leaks, both formerly acquired and newly acquired. You might have to consult a mechanic who specializes in boats in order to fix leaks.
Step six: Upon completing all the technicalities, clean the boat completely and spray substances such as WD40 or Quick-lube to prevent corrosion onto the boat's exterior surface.
Step seven (last step!): Cover your engine up with a plastic cover to protect it from all dangers while you are gone.
