Best boat motor repair practices

For inboard or I/O applications:

• After 50 hours initial engine operation, switch to Mobil 1 motor oil of proper SAE spec for your engine. This step alone will more than double your engines service life. Choose the best boat motor repair in south florida, we only use Mobil 1 synthetic motor oils.
• Replace Exhaust risers and gaskets every 150 hours of engine use(if salt water cooled).
• Replace Exhaust manifolds every 300 hours of engine use if salt water cooled, 500 hours if fresh water cooled. Risers and or manifold failure are the number one cause of engine failure due to water ingestion and corrosion.
• Use a fuel stabilizer such as 2+4 fuel conditioner, to stabilize fuel for periods when the boat is not in use. This will keep your fuel system clean for up to two years. Choose the best boat motor repair  in south florida, we only use racor fuel filters to protect your engine.
• Replace your raw water pump every 50 - 100 hours or once a year.Replace the housing too, not just impellers. Todays engines can't survive over heating. Cylinder head failure in GM based engines due to over heating is an epidemic, so keep your engine cool.
• Replace gear oil and/or transmission oil every 100 hours. Inspect propeller shaft seals for wear, fishing line etc and service every 250 hours or as required.
• Use a RACOR brand, fuel filter to filter your fuel and remove water. Check it EVERY time you leave the dock.

For 2-Stroke or DFI outboard applications:

• Use OEM marine lubricant in your oil injection system, they are not all the same. Manufacturers have specific formulations designed for their specific applications.
• Refrain from operating your engine for long periods of time above 4500 rpm, not only will you conserve fuel, you will prolong the life of your engine.
• Select a propeller which will allow your engine to reach the top end of its operating range, with your boat loaded the way you normally have it loaded on an outing. If your engine is designed to operate at full throttle between 5500 - 6000 RPM, then selecting a propeller that allows it to turn 6000 RPM at full throttle is what you want.
• Replace thermostats and water pump every 100 hours of engine operation.
• Use a RACOR brand, fuel filter to filter your fuel and remove water. Check it EVERY time you leave the dock.
• With todays fuel that is available be aware that 2 stroke engine oil does not mix with ethanol. Most retailer gas stations are now using fuel with not more than 10% ethanol. Unless OEM manufacturers are formulating oil for their engines which will blend with these new fuels, we will soon begin to see major engine failures due to lack of lubrication. This is another reason to make sure to use only OEM lubricants in your fuel.

For 4-Stroke outboard engine applications:

• Change water pump every 100 hours of operation.
• Change crankcase oil every 50 hours. Use OEM specified oil with the proper SAE specification.
• Replace cooling thermostats every 100 hours of operation.
• Use a RACOR brand fuel filter to keep your system clean and free of water. Inspect it everytime you leave the dock.
• Cruise at an operating RPM of no more than 80% full rpm range. This should be approximately 4000 rpm on most engines.

For Diesel engine applications:

• Replace all pencil zincs in the exhaust manifolds every 50 to 100 hours. If your engine also is equipped with these anti corrosion inhibitors, replace them as well.
• Use fuel stabalizer and bio control additives to prevent growth in your fuel tank.
• Use high quality fuel filters such as Racor or Dahl and replace every time you perform an oil change at 100 hour intervals.
• Having an oil pumpout manifold will make changing oil a breeze and keep your bilge clean.
• Keep fuel or air shutdown solonoids for your particular engine, onboard your vessel in a safe cool and dry place, like inside the salon. These solonoids generally fail before anything else.
• If you experience slow cranking speeds when initially starting, look at your battery cables. If you flex them and they make a crackling noise, replace them.
• Replace or have inspected, prollers and or shafts, if any vibration is noted while underway. Do not operate the vessel any longer than necessary with a bent shaft or propeller. The damage to your transmission will be severe.

If you have any specific questions concerning your boat, feel free to contact us, we are happy to help.