- Check the spark plugs before you start out
- Change the fuel in the engine regularly
- Change the water pump impeller
- Frequent lubrication
- Remove debris in the outboard motor after each outing
- Check for fuel leaks after each trip
- Use anti-corrosion spray
- Use a skeg guard
- How to repair an outboard motor
Full Answer
How to rebuild outboard motor?
Rebuild the Recoil If your motor has a manual rope-start (the so-called Armstrong System), it will likely benefit from a rebuild. Mounted on top of the powerhead, the recoil is exposed to a lot of engine heat, and also gets baked in the hot sun, especially under a black cowl.
How to unclog an outboard motor?
clinker, see if there is a blanking plug into the water jacket at a high point on the engine or remove thermostat housing. pour neat vinegar into the opening and if it takes an easy route out block it off with gaffa tape or similar. depending on location of blockage the vinegar may come out at exhaust or water inlet near prop.the idea is to fill the water jacket with the vinegar and leave for a couple of days.
How to break in an outboard motor?
- First 15 minutes: Run the outboard motor at idling or trolling speeds (the lowest speed possible). ...
- Next 45 minutes: Run the outboard motor up to a maximum of 2,000 to 3,000 rpm (or 10% to 30% of throttle opening).
- Next 60 minutes: Run the outboard motor up to a maximum of 4,000 to 5,000 rpm (or 50% to 80% of throttle opening). ...
- Next 8 hours:
How to troubleshoot outboard motors?
Waterborne’s “$#!T my engine won’t start” checklist
- Check choke and adjust
- Check priming bulb and prime
- Check fuel connection
- Check for vacuum from the fuel tank (crack lid or fill port to equalize pressure)
- Check spark plug for fouling
- Check for spark by touching the threads of the spark plug to the engine block and turning over the engine
- Check fuel filter
- Check for fuel or oil leaks in the engine
How much does it cost to repair an outboard motor?
A typical rebuilt midsize outboard motor from the 1980s to 2000 between 90 to 115 horsepower will cost at least $3,500 if purchased from a discount dealer; it will likely cost around $4,500 if purchased from a local full-service dealer. Rebuilding your engine will cost around $2,500.
What causes outboard motor not to fire on all cylinders?
What To Do If Your Outboards Not Running On All Cylinders? This is commonly due to the lack of one of three things. Either the cylinder isn't getting the proper amount of air, it's not getting fuel, or the spark plug is not firing in that cylinder.
How do you troubleshoot an outboard motor?
3:0511:10Outboard motor trouble shooting and maintenance - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlso fuel suppliers can often have issues with their fuel supply storage during periods of excessiveMoreAlso fuel suppliers can often have issues with their fuel supply storage during periods of excessive rain we will first troubleshoot issues with fuel first we will drain the fuel filter.
Are outboard motors worth rebuilding?
It's too old, parts likely too scarce, and technology is way out of date. If it's a later '80s or younger engine with some or all of the features previously mentioned, and a new engine is out of the question, rebuilding is a good option that will add more years to your old outboard's life.
Why is my outboard turning over but not starting?
If you have checked the battery switch and charged the batteries, but your boat engine still won't start, check the battery cables. Make sure the connections that run between the engine and the battery are not loose or corroded. Reconnect or replace any battery cables that have become disconnected or damaged.
What would cause one cylinder not to fire?
The engine may be running poorly and one or more cylinders may be misfiring. The check engine light may come on or keep flashing. The most common cause for a misfire is a problem related to the ignition system. Misfiring can be caused by loss of spark; imbalanced air/fuel mixture; or loss of compression.
How do you diagnose outboard starting problems?
0:213:31Diagnosing an Outboard That Won't Start - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the tank can't vent it can't let air in to replace the fuel that the motor needs to pull out. SoMoreIf the tank can't vent it can't let air in to replace the fuel that the motor needs to pull out. So that will keep it from firing.
What causes an outboard motor to run rough?
Outboard Idling Rough? A rough idle on an outboard is generally caused by a failed spark plug, a clogged or stuck open fuel injector, a clogged or dirty carburetor, or an engine that has an issue with the timing when dealing with a 2-stroke outboard.
How do you tell if your outboard is flooded?
When you turn your outboard motor's ignition key and it won't start, then smell that stink of excess gas that indicates your outboard's flooded, your heart might sink a bit, as if abandoned at a party by a friend who's borrowed your car.
How much does it cost to put a new motor on a boat?
An inboard powerboat engine replacement costs approximately $15,000, while you should set aside about $5,000 to $10,000 to replace the motor for a sailboat. If you have a sailboat with an outboard motor, you will pay significantly less, somewhere around $1,500, because this vessel uses wind as the first power source.
How long do rebuilt outboards last?
A typical estimate from the industry is that an outboards motor last around 1,500 hours of operation. Assuming the average owner uses their boat 200 hours a year, this would mean that the motor would last between seven and eight years. That sounds about right in my experience.
Are outboard motors easy to work on?
But they are much easier to work on: A good boatyard can do a total outboard engine swap in a couple of hours, where the job for a diesel is measured in days. The outboard's tilt mechanism also means that when it hits an underwater object, it can often kick up before significant damage occurs.
What causes no spark on outboard motor?
Engines with no spark or intermittent spark on one bank can be caused by a faulty stator. Nestled in with the stator under the flywheel is the trigger (or timer base).
Will an outboard run with low compression?
Yes, an outboard will run for a little while with low compression. If the compression is too low though, it will not run at all. Here are all of the things that you need to know about low compression on an outboard engine, what they mean, and how they affect the running of the engine!
How do you troubleshoot a Mercury outboard motor?
0:482:17Basic Trouble Shooting When Your Outboard Won't Start - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the engines not cranking we're gonna want to look at the battery switch. If the engine isMoreIf the engines not cranking we're gonna want to look at the battery switch. If the engine is cranking. We're still gonna want to check some things out in the back.
What is a trigger on a boat motor?
Your outboard trigger tells the switchbox when to "fire". The inner ring of your flywheel has magnets which pass close to the triggers coils. Each time the magnet passes, the trigger sends a low voltage "signal" to the switchbox.
How does an outboard motor increase speed?
The engine of an outboard motor causes motion by fuel combustion in metal cylinders. The gearbox is used to increase or decrease the speed of the boat. You increase the speed of the boat by opening up the gearbox.
What to bring with you when you have an outboard motor?
They include outboard oil, waterproof grease, a set of spark plugs, fuel-water-separator filter, Ziploc baggies, socket set with an extension, convertible screwdrivers with straight, Phillips and Torx heads, side cutters, Vice-Grip pliers, a spare propeller with cotter pins and thrust and lock washers, battery connectors and fuses, prop wrench, zip ties, electrical tape, duct tape, anti-corrosion spray, and a stiff wire brush.
Can water get into an outboard motor?
It would help if you looked at the fuel in the fuel tank before you begin your day on a water body. This is because water can get into the fuel, and, in the absence of a fuel filter, can enter into the system and damage your outboard motor.
What causes an outboard engine to leak?
With time, all of these connections tend to start leaking or allow air to get sucked in. Cheap fuel lines, hose clamps, and connectors commonly cause problems with your outboard engine. QUICK FIX: First, squeeze the ball as you watch the fitting between the engine and the line, the barb and the hose, the barb on either end of the ball, ...
When will outboard engines be available in 2021?
May 31, 2021. Modern outboard engines have come a long way, whether you’re talking about the now-common four-stroke or modern DFI motors. In both cases, reliability is far better than it was in decades past, fuel efficiency has increased, and problems like smoky exhaust and ear-splitting sound levels are ancient history.
Why is my boat pump impeller clogged?
But more often than not, the issue arises because the tell-tale is clogged with grit, mud, or a bit of seaweed the engine picked up. If you don’t know which is the cause, you’ll have to pull the boat and head for the mechanic. Bummer.
Why does my engine crank but never catch?
This could be due to a number of reasons (before you do anything check to make sure the shifter’s in neutral, of course), but when it doesn't even seem to try to catch, there’s a good possibility your emergency cut-off switch has gone bad.
What happens if a fitting goes bad?
If the fitting itself has gone bad, you can sometimes push it to one side or the other to temporarily get the engine running. Once you do so, the draw of the engine is often enough to keep the flow of fuel moving.
Why is my boat motor not working?
The most common causes are a bad impeller or low engine oil. Or, it could also be caused by a sweltering day with heavy usage. When this is the case, you should simply leave the engine off for a while and allow it to cool.
What happens if a boat propeller is damaged?
A damaged propeller will have bends, dents, or other obvious signs of wear. These dings can negatively impact how efficiently your motor propels your boat. Unfortunately, a damaged propeller will need to be replaced.
How to tell if your impeller is bad?
You can check for a bad impeller by removing the impeller from the stainless steel cup that holds it. Common signs of damage are deformities, such as bent or curved fins and chunks of rubber missing. The damage you see may help you pinpoint the issue.
Why does my impeller bend?
Friction is causing the impeller to bend. Most commonly, there is something blocking your water intake. Locate the intake and clean out impacted mud, debris, or pollution. If you have a snake or rod to clean out the intake, you can quickly solve this problem.
How to tighten spark plugs?
Apply dielectric grease to the tips of your new spark plugs and insert, carefully tightening them by hand. You may then use the torque wrench to further tighten the plugs according to your owner’s manual specifications. Apply dielectric grease to the spark plugs’ ends and secure the spark plug boots in place.
Why is my impeller missing chunks?
If chunks are missing from the impeller, you likely have an underuse issue. When the impeller sits for a long time, it becomes brittle and susceptible to breaks. If this is the case, the impeller needs to be replaced. A deformed impeller is a sign that water is not adequately moving through the cooling system.
How to get rid of spark plug buildup?
The Solution: Fuel, dirt, and other substances can foul a spark plug and prevent it from igniting. Remove the plugs to inspect them and their wires. Most residue can be removed with a rag; however, significant buildup will need to be scraped off. Do this very carefully— damaging the plugs will render them useless.
When was the Outboard Motor built?
If your outboard motor was built in the 1980s to the early 2000s, chances are it has these features: Power trim and tilt (a must-have for skiing, fishing, docking and storage) Oil injection (allows for much easier fueling, and it pollutes far less than pre-mixing gas and oil for two-stroke outboards) Primer starting, versus chokes (an electric ...
What engines were built after 2000?
Engines built after 2000 are typically four-strokes (Honda, Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha) or direct-injected (DFI) two-strokes (Evinrude, Mercury, Tohatsu and Yamaha). They’re more expensive to buy than their older brethren, and they have a higher cost when rebuilding an outboard motor because they’re more complicated.
Is an outboard engine too old?
The outboard engine is too old, parts are likely scarce, and the technology is dated. If it's an '80s engine with some or all the features previously mentioned, and a new engine is out of the question, rebuilding can be a good option that will add years to your old outboard's life. ADVERTISEMENT.
