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Boat Engines: Keep Them Purring

A boat's engine, like anything mechanical, needs regular maintenance to keep it in optimal running condition. Not practicing boat engine maintenance invites all sorts of expensive trouble or on-the-water emergencies. Reading your engine manual, you should make a handy boat engine maintenance checklist and post it where you will see it during boating season. While most boat engine maintenance items can be done at the start or end of the season, a few things must be checked regularly. Boat engine maintenance is very little trouble, but handling engine repairs caused by neglect is a major headache.

One very important item to replace routinely is the impeller, a rubber or plastic component that cools the engine by circulating lake water through it. The impeller will take in impurities from the water and sometimes collect grit or sand from being run aground. These contribute to deterioration, as does time spent in storage. An impeller is one part you do not want to have fail-it could mean overheating and engine destruction. Therefore good boat engine maintenance demands that the impeller to be replaced every three or four years.

Before storing your boat for the winter, you ought to do a handful boat engine maintenance chores. Since boats do not get as much action as cars usually get, their oil does not need to be replaced as often. It should, however, be changed at the end of the season. At the same time, fogging oil should be added. When the last tank of fuel for the season is pumped into your boat, it is wise to add fuel injector cleaner. Otherwise, the fuel can thicken and clog the engine. These are easy tasks that can keep you from having unpleasant surprises when the boat hits the water in the spring.

Check your owner's guide for any boat engine items particular to you. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The last thing you want is to have to repair a costly engine part or to get caught adrift after your engine conks out. Good boat engine maintenance can keep your engine running properly for years.

By: Fabian Toulouse

Before you start any repairs on your boat engines, be sure to look into all the parts and accessories PerfProTech has to offer.

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