Outboard Engine Tips & Tricks | Howick Marine

Below are some outboard engine tips and tricks to help maintain your outboard engine

USE YOUR BOAT!!!

Letting your outboard and boat sit idle is actually harmful. One of the worst things you can do for any outboard is to let it go unused for months at a time.

FLUSH YOUR ENGINE

After use, flush your outboard with freshwater for at least five minutes. If it has been sitting around, run it every month if you can.

CHECK REGULARLY.

Again, sitting around is harmful. Upon running your engine make a habit of turning your steering and a light spray of lube oil over your inner steering cable.

GOOD BATTERY

If your battery is five years old or more, you’ve had a good run. We recommend replacing it. If you regularly charge your battery this will prolong the life of it. Again! These deteriorate sitting unused.

SERVICING

We recommend servicing your outboard annually, regardless of hours of use. If you happen to skip a service, minimum, replace your fuel filter – water separator in your boat.

LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS

Don’t try and fix your outboard yourself. Bring it to the professionals.

BE PREPARED

Sometimes when your kids or mates try to help, it doesn’t. You never know what can happen. Just in case, carry some spares.

Spare oil (two-stroke) in the boat can sometimes be invaluable.
Have a spare key and Killswitch lanyard.
Spare bung.
Small tool kit (including cable ties always handy)

FRESH FUEL

Fuel can also deteriorate over time losing its octane rating. Keep topping your fuel tank up with fresh fuel ( another reason to keep using your boat) If your fuel is over a year old, we recommend draining and replacing fuel in your tank.

CHECK YOUR PROPELLER

Sometimes, without realising, you have hit something or come in too shallow, you may have caused damage to your propeller. Even a small Nick or bend of the blades can affect the performance and fuel economy.