Common Outboard Problems and How to Prevent Them
Inadequate maintenance can cause problems with even the most dependable outboards. The good news is that most issues can be prevented by adopting a few easy practices. Here are five outboard issues that are frequently encountered, along with tips on how to prevent them from ruining your boating day.
1. Fuel System Failures
Issue: Fuel containing ethanol degrades and absorbs moisture, blocking injectors and filters.
Prevention: Using a gasoline stabilizer at all times, keeping tanks full, and changing the fuel/water separator filter on a regular basis.
2. Corroded Electrical Connections
Issue: Corrosion from salt and moisture results in electrical shorts or no starts.
Prevention: Apply corrosion inhibitor spray or dielectric grease to connections and rinse the powerhead after each trip.
3. Blocked Water Flow Causes Overheating
Issue: The engine overheats due to debris clogging the water intakes.
Prevention: Check your water pump impeller once a year and flush the engine after each use.
4. Damage to the Gearcase
Issue: Gear or bearing failure results from operating with little or contaminated gear oil.
Prevention: Checking for water intrusion (milky oil) and changing the lower unit gear oil each season.
5. Ineffective Propeller Performance
Issue: Over-revving or slow acceleration are caused by improper prop size.
Prevention: Measures include matching the diameter and pitch of your propeller to the weight of your boat and the recommended RPM of your engine.
Bottom Line
The majority of malfunctions are avoidable and not the result of bad luck. You can keep your outboard operating like new and avoid thousands of dollars in repairs by doing routine maintenance and using the proper materials.