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How to clean, care for and maintain your outboard

To keep your petrol outboard engine running reliably for as long as possible, some care and maintenance instructions must be followed. These are important steps that can significantly impact on the service life of your engine. After all, regular maintenance can considerably ex-tend the life of your outboard motor, whether it is used in fresh or salt water. You can find all the care products, tools and other accessories you need to maintain your boat engine in our category Motors, Technology.

Contents


Cleaning and maintenance for your outboard

  1. Cleaning your outboard
  2. Maintaining and caring for your outboard
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How do you clean an outboard motor?

Clean your outboard motor regularly to keep it functioning properly. If not, dirt can get stuck, clogging it up. This, as well as algae, chemicals and salt must be flushed out of the cooling system. It is especially important to prevent salt deposits from building up. A flusher can be used for this purpose while the engine is out of the water. Motor flushers are used for cleaning the outboard and for maintenance work, and are usually connected with a gar-den hose and fresh water supply.

flush

How do you use a flusher to clean an outboard motor?

If your motor has been out of the water for a longer period of time, it makes sense to flush it. This not only applies to use in salt water, but also fresh water that contains sand, gravel or dirt. Flush your outboard with a flusher. Alternatively, you can also place the motor in a barrel of water and rinse it there.

Checklist for flushing your motor:

Attach the flusher to the lower part of the outboard and connect a garden hose. The more flexible the hose, the better.

  1. To avoid damage to the engine, do not open the tap to more than about ¼ of the maximum possible water pressure.
  2. Allow the engine to warm to operating temperature so that the thermostat opens and water flushes the cooling system.
  3. Check the water pump and make sure enough water is being pumped through the hose. Carefully place a finger through the water stream (indicator). The water should be warm, but not hot.
  4. When flushing the outboard engine, loosen the fuel connection so that the engine burns the remaining fuel in the carburettor.

Wipe the outboard engine and spray with corrosion protection. Protect the outboard engine with a tarpaulin or cover between uses.

Is your outboard drain pipe blocked?

If the indicator jet is not very strong, it could be be-cause dirt has accumulated in the drain pipe. In this case, switch off the outboard engine im-mediately to prevent overheating and damage. Try to loosen dirt by moving a piece of wire back and forth in the drainage pipe. Restart the outboard engine and check the indicator water flow. If the problem persists, a new water pump may be required.

Maintenance and care for your
outboard motor

Not only should you regularly clean your outboard motor, maintenance and care are also detrimental to prolonging service life and functionality of outboards. Regular checks can prevent major damage and stop problems from occurring at an early stage. In our online shop you will find all the tools and spare parts you need for the care and maintenance of your outboard motor. Our service-kits have proven particularly useful for boat engines.

Checklist for maintenance & servicing your
outboard motor:

Check the fuel line regularly for cracks and signs of wear. We supply fuel lines that are compatible with almost all outboard models. Make sure that the pump ball is free from cracks and movable.

  1. Make sure that the fuel connections to the lines are sitting correctly and do not leak. These can also be found here.
  2. Check the hose clamps on the fuel line for rust or corrosion.
  3. The outboard -tank: Check the fuel tank for damage. Check the tank ventilation to ensure that it is working properly. Check the tank regularly for water in the fuel. This is particularly important for fuel containing ethanol.
  4. If the outboard engine has a transparent fuel strainer, check if water has accumulated there. The water collects as a clear layer at the bottom of the strainer. If present, remove the water.
  5. Lubricate the movable parts of the trim system and lubrication points of the steering system every 100 hours or annually (whichever occurs first).
  6. Check the outboard engine for corrosion and replace sacrificial anodes if they are more than 50% corroded. Further information can be found in the guide under checking sacrificial anodes.
  7. Change the engine oil and replace the oil filter if present.
  8. Replace the water pump impeller after every 300 hours of use or every 3 years (more often if you use the outboard engine in waters where sand can get into the cooling circuit).
  9. Check the outboard engine for minor paint damage. Remove any rust or blisters as quickly as possible to avoid major damage.
Inspection



What to look out for during the outboard inspection

What to look out for during the outboard inspection. During the warranty period, always have your outboard motor serviced by an authorised dealer, with entries in the service booklet. If any warranty claims are made, the specified inspection intervals must have been observed, otherwise warranty claim is invalid. After the warranty period has expired, you may also carry out repairs and inspections yourself using an inspection plan, which is usually supplied with the product.

Written by our SVB (technical) experts

Written by our SVB (technical) experts

Our team of SVB technical experts is there to give our customers professional advice on all matters relating to technology on board. Their expertise is the result of regular training and many years of experience.