Outboard Engine Service With The Help of Manuals

Like everything else, you have to ensure routine maintenance of your outboard engine and you have to do it every time it is properly run in. The routine maintenance begins with the systematic checks every time you use your boat. These checks do not take much time, but could spell the difference between the life and death of the engine.

Regular checks and maintenance

Regular check is easy and includes a quick glance at a few principle components. First of all, it is important to check if the oil tank is topped up. In case you have a four-stroke engine, you should make sure to check the crankcase-oil level, and top up if required. Whatever the case, you should also keep owner's outboard motor service manuals to determine if the dipstick should be left unthreaded or screwed in while checking the oil level. If you fail to do so, it gives you a false reading and lead to overfilling or underfilling the engine's crankcase, and it can cause significant problem.

Fuel checking

You should never forget to examine if you have sufficient fuel for your intended trip, and that the fuel-tank vent is not closed. If the engine is tilted up, you should check for excess oil build-up near the propeller. In other case, it may also indicate that a seal in the lower gear-case has deteriorated. However, note that some oil film build up is normal under certain conditions, but you should examine the amount of oil build up. If you find it more than normal then, you should assess oil in the lower unit as per the instructions in user's manual. You should check if the seal has failed, and if necessary, take the engine to the repair workshop in order to avoid expensive gear damages.   

Check for corrosion and wiring connections

Outboard motor service manuals helps a lot when you have to examine the engine for corrosion and wiring connections. With the instructions provided, you can easily check the condition of any sacrificed zinc anode that is attached to the engine. Herein, you should check the lower portion of the mounting bracket on larger engines for zincs. You may also find a zinc trim tab behind the propeller, or small zinc screwed onto the anti-ventilation plate.  If you find that the zincs are more than half eroded, you should consider replacing them. Follow the manual, and check to find if there are areas where zinc dissolves rapidly. Other concern area is the engine's battery that you should check for its performance.  

Source : articlesbase.com