Outboard Motor Maintenance Tips

Maintaining your boat can seem like a full-time job, but the rewards are well worth it! If you have an outboard motor, you can perform most of the necessary tasks at home using ordinary household tools. This guide from LMC Marine Center can help you get started. If you have any questions about boat maintenance, feel free to contact us! We proudly serve the boating community in Houston, TX.

Take Advantage of Your Owner’s Manual

We can provide you with general tips, but for more specific directions on how to maintain your outboard motor, you will need to consult your owner’s manual. This volume will contain detailed instructions and diagrams, and specify which replacement parts are compatible with your motor. Make sure to keep the owner’s manual close at hand while operating and working on your outboard motor. If you lose track of the manual, you should be able to find a digital version on the manufacturer’s website.

Stay on Top of Routine Maintenance

There are some maintenance tasks you should perform at regular intervals, regardless of how often your outboard motor is in use. Your owner’s manual should provide you with a recommended maintenance schedule. Start every maintenance check with a complete visual inspection. First, you will need to remove the cowling – this is the outside cover that protects the engine from coming in contact with water. Now you can disconnect the battery and examine each component of the engine, looking for signs of leaking or damage. Make sure the fuel line is firmly attached, and clean or replace the air filter if needed.

The spark plugs require special attention, as they can develop small cracks. These will need to be inspected frequently and replaced about every twelve months. You should also check the oil on a frequent basis. This is a similar process to checking the oil in your car engine – refill as needed, and replace oil that has turned to sludge. Boat engines run through oil much faster than cars, so you might need to refill the reservoir pretty often.

Flush the Engine

There is one key maintenance task you will need to perform after each boating trip, and that is flushing the engine. This will remove any buildup that could cause corrosion. When you get back on dry land, run your outboard motor in neutral to pump out the remaining water.

While you’re at it, go ahead and burn through any fuel that remains in the engine. This helps prevent corrosion in the fuel system. First, disconnect the fuel line, and clamp it down to avoid spraying fuel everywhere. Run the engine until it sputters dry, then shut it down and hit the battery switch.

We hope you found these tips helpful! If you ever encounter a problem with your outboard motor, you can count on the service department here at LMC Marine Center to handle it in a timely manner. We welcome customers all the way from Conroe, TX.