Outboard Tips and Tricks

The versatility of an outboard motor makes it a perfect choice for your boat. Whether you want to fish or just cruise through the water, these engines are great for just about any application. They’re also powerful, convenient, and lightweight, making them preferable to new and veteran boaters alike. However, like any internal combustion engine, you need to take care of your outboard if you want it to last a significant amount of time. That sounds intimidating at first, but you’re not alone! This guide from Rallye Motoplex gives a few tips and tricks for keeping your motor running for years to come, but if you need any further assistance, feel free to come talk to us at our dealership. We serve customers in Moncton and Charlottetown, New Brunswick, as well as Fredericton, Saint John, and Bathurst, NB.

DIY Maintenance

The mechanic’s shop is the most surefire way to take care of your outboard, but there are a few tips and tricks you can use to do some of your own maintenance. Just like a car, an outboard has components like spark plugs and a battery. You’ll want to inspect everything, so get on a regular inspection schedule.

Inspection

To do your inspection, first remove the cowling from your motor. Then, inspect the inside. You’ll want to look everywhere for leaks, especially at the joints and connections between parts. If you see dripping oil or other fluid, that probably means there’s a leak, and you should get it checked out right away. Next, unplug the battery so you can look at everything else. Take out the spark plugs and look for corrosion, dirt, or anything else that shouldn’t be there. If they’re too worn down, you’ll need new ones, but just a little grime and water can be brushed off. Once you reinstall them, set the torque to the manufacturer's specifications.

Oil

The oil is also an extremely important part, since it keeps your engine lubricated. Not to mention, outboards burn through oil much quicker than cars do, so make an effort to check it regularly. If it’s low, top it off. When inspecting it, look for any metal shavings or other particles, as these could indicate that your engine components are grinding together. Once the oil starts getting to dark or thick, replace it right away before the motor gets damaged. These easy tips will pay off in the long run, because it will keep your outboard running strong for a long time.

After Docking

There are a lot of particles in the lakes, rivers, and ocean that can contaminate your engine, so flushing it after every trip is important. Once you get it on land, turn on the motor, and switch to neutral. This trick is pretty easy, because the engine will automatically pump out all the excess water. However, that’s not all. If there’s extra fuel in the engine this could corrode it over time, so you’ll want to burn that out too. To do this, clamp the fuel line, then unhook it and let the engine run until it sputters dry. After this is done, turn off the engine, and shut down the battery switch.

Want to get the most out of your outboard motor? The tips and tricks we just mentioned will help you do that, but you have to be diligent and implement a regular maintenance routine. Fortunately, outboard’s are pretty durable, so they don’t frequently require very difficult work to keep running smoothly. However, when you do encounter more technical issues like leaks and grinding parts, bring it on into our service department at Rallye Motoplex for repairs. We proudly serve the areas of Charlottetown and Moncton, New Brunswick, and we also help customers from Saint John, Fredericton, and Bathurst, NB.