Engine services

Boat maintenance is essential for reliable boating. Boats with inboard engines or outboard engines are often used for a few months and left for the remaining part of the year. There is nothing worse than dropping the boat in the water on a summers day for a fishing trip or a whiz around the bay only to find that the engine, (either inboard or outboard), simply doesn't want to start.

How often should your outboard engine or inboard engine be serviced?

100 hours service
Your engine should be serviced at least every 100 hours of operational use to prolong its life and ensure it is reliable and running at optimum efficiency.

- Fuel filter
- Strip and clean
- Check operation of tilt mechanism
- Check adjustment of gear/throttle cables and lubricate all linkages as required
- Lubricate propeller shaft
- Bleed auto lube pump
- Ignition timing
- check/adjust linkages as required
- Carburetor pilot screws check/adjust
- Strip and check water pump.
- Change gear oil
- check for water ingress through seals
- Spark plugs
- Clean/replace as required
- Check flywheel nut torque/torque cylinder head
- Recoil starter
- Check condition of rope/lube as required
- Check operation of on/off neutral interlock switches etc.
- During test run of engine check for smooth operation of all controls and for correct
starting both hot and cold. Check for correct idle speed when hot and for smooth pick
up from idle. Where possible check to ensure engine achieves maximum RPM.
- Lubricate pivot shaft/all linkages/clamp screws etc.
- Check condition of anode/trim tab, replace if required
- Drain down carburetors
- Change oil, filters, and check valves on 4 strokes

Annual service
The annual service is critical to your boats wellbeing. If the annual service is not kept up to date, you run the risk of potential difficulties. You should have your inboard or outboard, serviced at least once a year to prolong its life and ensure it is reliable and running at optimum efficiency.

- Strip and check water pump
- Change gear oil
- Check for water ingress through seals
- Spark plugs
- Clean/replace as required
- Check flywheel nut torque/torque cylinder head
- Recoil starter
- Check condition of rope/lube as required
- Fuel filter
- Strip and clean
- Check operation of tilt mechanism
- Check adjustment of gear/throttle cables and lubricate all linkages as required
- Lubricate propeller shaft
- Bleed auto lube pump
- Ignition timing
- Check/adjust linkages as required
- Carburetor pilot screws check/adjust
- Check operation of on/off neutral interlock switches etc.
- During test run of engine check for smooth operation of all controls and for correct
starting both hot and cold. Check for correct idle speed when hot and for smooth pick
up from idle. Where possible check to ensure engine achieves maximum RPM.
- Lubricate pivot shaft/all linkages/clamp screws etc.
- Check condition of anode/trim tab, replace if required
- Drain down carburetors
- Change oil, filters, and check valves on 4 strokes