For your boat to operate and travel great distances, your boat engine is responsible to make that possible. That’s why it’s so important to regularly take care of it by doing routine checkups and knowing how it operates to avoid costly problems.

The engine is the heart of your boat — if you treat it poorly, you won’t have a functioning boat for very long. Performing routine checkups and understanding the basics of how it operates can save you from future headaches and can help you avoid dangerous situations. The last thing you want is for your engine to die down on you while you’re out in the middle of the ocean. Here are ways how to properly maintain your boat engine:

Read the Manual Guide

The best way to take care of your boat engine is to read its manual thoroughly. It may be boring to read the thick booklet but the manual provides useful instructions to help you get acquainted with the engine, how it operates, how to use it safely, and how to maintain it. So read the manual first before you use the engine and after reading it, keep it in a safe place because you’re going to use it as your reference to address future concerns.

Prevent Fuel Complications

One of the causes that engines get damaged easily is the type of fuel you put in them. Make sure to only fill your engine with fresh gas and to avoid gasoline with high volumes of ethanol. If you don’t use your boat regularly, use a fuel stabilizer additive to prevent the fuel from oxidizing.

Keep Your Fuel Filter in Check

Make sure to always keep your tank full and use a quality diesel or gasoline additive to prevent any microbial growth in your tank. Make sure you inspect your fuel filter strainer regularly and clean it if it’s filled with grime or raw water. A faulty strainer will cause water to be drawn into the cooling system and damage it and cause engine failure.

Inspect the Boat’s Propeller Shaft

If your boat uses an outboard or a sterndrive engine, you have to inspect the prop’s shaft if there is any fishing line, algae, or seaweed that has been accidentally wrapped around it.  If you found those items, remove it as it will damage the seal causing the water to enter the engine’s gearcase and cause engine failure.

Cleaning the Boat Engine

To keep your boat in its tip-top shape and to prevent dust, dirt, and grime from settling in your engine, it’s crucial to clean it regularly. When you clean your engine, make sure to do the following steps:

• Your engine should be off and cool; don’t clean a boat engine that’s still hot. Inspect the fuel filters if they need changing. If they do, then promptly do so. Inspect the rubber hoses and make sure they are in proper working condition.
• Dust off any debris inside your engine using a duster or a dry towel. Apply a gentle cleaning agent on a damp towel and wipe off the dirt from the engine.  After the engine is clean, cover all entry points where water may get in. Use waterproof tape to properly seal these areas.
• If you need to replace any items in your engine or to buy cleaning materials, you can get them at various marine supplies stores around the country.
• If you regularly maintain your boat engine the same way you do for your boat, you can save a lot of money in the long run. Boat engine repairs are costly and buying new engines is even more expensive. So, take care of it and enjoy your boat adventures more!