Outboard Boat Motor and Engine Care

Keeping your outboard motor in excellent condition is easier than you might think, even if you’re not a mechanic. By following a few simple steps for preventive boat motor maintenance, you can ensure safe boating experiences and keep your motor reliable for years to come. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential maintenance tasks to perform after every trip and regular checks to keep your motor in tip-top shape.

After Every Trip

Flushing the Engine

Whether you’ve been out on saltwater or freshwater adventures, flushing the engine is crucial to remove any debris or contaminants.

• Start the engine and let the water pump do its work (remember to stay clear of the prop and ensure no one attempts to shift the motor into gear).
• While flushing the motor, inspect the water pump for good water flow. Carefully pass your finger through the stream of water. It may be warm, but it should not be hot. If the water output is weak, there might be debris obstructing the outflow tube. Immediately shut down the engine to prevent overheating and damage. Insert a small piece of wire into the flow tube and gently move it back and forth. Start the engine again and check the water output. If the problem persists, consider replacing the water pump.

Fuel Line and Shutdown

• After flushing the engine, disconnect the fuel line and allow the engine to consume all the fuel remaining in the carburetor.
• Once the flushing and fuel consumption is complete, remember to turn off the key. If you have a battery switch, turn it off as well.

Beach to Bay Dive Services started in early 2019 as a commercial dive service. Our team continues to provide our customers with the peace of mind knowing that each project will be performed correctly from conception to completion at a fair cost. Our reputation has been and continues to be our best advertisement. Recently, Beach to Bay Dive Services has transitioned to Beach to Bay Divers and Pools. Our experienced pool technicians provide a level of service and repairs that assure our pool customers have that same peace of mind as our dive service.