Top-12 things you should know to operate your engine including what spare parts and tools to have, what to watch for when starting-up, and more!
1: Read the owner’s manual
- Get to know your engine
- Your specific engine model
2: Know your engine’s fluids
- Know where all your fluid check points are located
- Antifreeze, transmission, and oil
3: Before starting, look under the engine for any leaks of fluids
4: Know how to properly start your engine
- If the boat is new to you, have someone go over start-up procedures with you.
- Does the engine need to be pre-heated or not?
- Look over the stern to make sure you have exhaust and water flowing
5: Check engine panel to make sure none of the safety indicator lights are on
- Temperature
- Oil pressure
- Charging
6: Check gauges (if you have them)
- Oil
- Charging
- Engine RPMs
7: Make sure your boat is tied up properly at the dock
- Fore and aft springs
- Put your boat in and out of gear, forward and reverse, to make sure transmission or sail drive are working properly
8: Have the necessary spare parts
- V belts
- Impeller/gasket for saltwater pump
- Oil filter
- Fuel filters
- Quart of engine oil
- Quart of oil for transmission
- Gallon of premixed antifreeze (fresh water-cooled side o engine),
- Sections of 1” and .5” diameter hose with hose clamps
- Spare zincs for sail drive, rudders, props
- Oil absorbent pads
9: Make sure no aftermarket parts
- Everything approved by your engine manufacturer
- Especially if you’re under warranty
10: Diesel engines need four things:
- Clean air
- Clean fuel
- Good charging battery
- Clear exhaust elbow
11: Keep your hull bottom and underwater fittings clean (props, shafts, sail drives)
12: What to have in your toolbox:
- Set of metric open-ended box wrenches (8-19mm)
- Adjustable oil filter wrench
- Medium size vice grips
- Flat head and Phillips Screw drivers - #2s
- Wire cutters
- Medium adjustable wrench
- Multi-head screwdriver that has box and star torque fittings
Need help, contact:
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