Maintaining Your Outboard Motor

Your boat’s outboard motor propels it around the water, but that motor can only function well if you keep it maintained. Regular upkeep is necessary to ensure that your outboard is working properly and that it isn’t sustaining damage. Here are the steps you’ll want to take to maintain your outboard motor.

Inspect Regularly

Removing the cowling on your outboard motor (while it’s turned off, of course) lets you see the inner workings, so you can determine whether there are any loose connections or signs of leakage. You don’t want a lot of water entering your engine, and you really don’t want it to be in your fuel tank or oil reservoir. Look at your spark plugs, too; you should have spark plugs that are whole and clean and snug in their spots.

Change Oil

The oil in your outboard lubricates all the moving parts of the engine so that it runs smoothly. You should change it regularly. Keep an eye on the consistency of the oil; it should be clear and runny, not sludgy or opaque. Also, if you see any metal shavings in the oil, you need to get your outboard professionally serviced, as this means parts of your engine are rubbing together and wearing down.

Need assistance with maintaining your outboard motor? Contact the Portland Marine & Electronics service department, where we have three service bays waiting and available to help you. If you want to buy a motor, come see us at our location in Clackamas, OR, to view our inventory of new and used outboard motors for sale. Portland Marine & Electronics proudly serves the metro areas of Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA.