Engine maintenanc

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33382, 14 November 1973, Page 14

Engine maintenanc

Reliable motors are essential for good boating; nothing can spoil a day’s outing in a boat more than a motor which has broken down. To guard against failures, motors should be serviced regularly, although not all breakdowns are caused by) lack of maintenance. Fuel filters in outboard; motors should be inspected every 50 hours or six; months. Foreign matter will seldom be found in the wire gauze filter if the fuel is clean, so fuel should be mixed correctly and not kept for a long time. Fuel tanks often rest in; water at the back of the boat. To prevent the tanks) from rusting on the outside they should be removed and washed in fresh! water. Check spark plugs Spark plugs should be removed from an engine; every 90 days and checked. A sudden change in the 1 nature of the erosion or discolouration can indicate there is something wrong' with the engine and a mechanic should examine it. ■ When moored permanently the engine should ■ be tilted as far out of the i water as possible. However, with some boats the gearcase will still rest on the; water so it should be anti-! fouled to prevent marine: growth. Moored boats must be scrubbed clean at regular intervals. Marine growth ! will cause the engine to) overload, resulting in pre-! ignition and over-heating, ; as well as slowing the boat' down. Care of battery The level of water in the battery should be checked regularly. Because the j battery is often in an i awkward position, this job: is sometimes forgotten. The terminals should be kept free from verdigris; by a preventive grease coat-, ing. To remove verdigris; the terminals should be I washed in hot water and filed lightly. The terminals must be tight and be connected to) the correct battery pole. '