Maintenance

[?]W To Check

Tboard Ignition,

[?]El Systems

Workboat

Maintenance

s part of your regular dry

checks to ensure proper ation of your outboard br in the water, look at your ion system and your fuel ;m. 3K at the ignition system from the ignition key (if you have an ic start motor) right through to park plug. eck under the dashboard and ;n all wiring connections, then ;ct the battery and try the starter several times to check that salt asn’t corroded the contacts. ►n’t connect the fuel line to the r for this check—someone could their fingers if they happen to ;ar the propeller and the motor gear.

Special warning

member, too, not to run the r for more than a second or unless you have attached a 'ng device coupled to a hose— even then don’t run the motor ; idle. Otherwise you may seize ngine or at least ruin the water > impeller. iw check the high tension leads the magneto (or from the butor) to the spark plugs. They d be free of cracks in the ition —if you find cracks or tig bind them with electricians’ but replace them as soon as san. e high-tension lead and fittings d fit snugly into the distributor, ;ed, and onto the spark plugs— ubber boots at the spark plug should be sound and not tied. move the plugs. If they are and oily or covered with sh deposits it may be that you ising too much oil in the fuel ire, not using outboard oil, or super grade petrol (which often i high lead content). ;an the plugs by wiping away ;ummy deposits, or scraping off baked-on carbon gently with a ;t knife. en set the gap between the fir ip and the prong on the plug, a feeler gauge of the thickness

recommended in your owner’s manual. Correct the gap by gently prising up the prong with a screw driver, or gently tapping it down, until the gauge just slides through the gap. And make sure you’re using the recommended type of spark plug.

With the plugs out, attach the high tension leads to them, then pull the motor over a few times to check that each plug is firing. If one plug won’t fire, take the lead off and repeat the performance with the lead held near the powerhead. It should spark—if it does the plug is faulty and should be replaced—if it doesn’t spark the points may be pitted.

It could be one high tension lead is not making contact inside its terminal. Check that the lead is hard home into the terminal and contact ing the terminal prong inside.

While you’re at it, “Vaseline” the battery connections, and check the level of acid in the battery. If the starting seemed a bit reluctant it’s time you charged the battery.

Now let’s check the fuel system.

Start with the fuel itself. Is it standard grade petrol? Did you use

outboard oil, in the right quantity— and was it shaken to make sure it blended thoroughly?

Don’t use stale fuel—if it’s been standing around for a month or more it’s safer not to use it. If it’s a few days old make sure you shake the tank vigorously to re-mix the petrol and oil.

Should you be heading off for distant parts for several days it may be wise to take some outboard oil with you—just in case you can’t get it where you’re going. It’s important to use outboard oil—automotive oils are not recommended for modem two-stroke outboard motors, one of the reasons being that they cause excessive fouling of the spark plugs.

Are the fuel tank connections tight, not leaking? Is the fuel gauge accurate?

Fuel danger

Has the fuel line any splits? You can make temporary repairs with electricians’ tape but don’t forget to shorten the line or replace it before the next trip. Leaking fuel is a fire hazard.

Are both connectors OK? Squeeze the priming bulb to make sure fuel passes freely through the line. Also check that the line isn’t being kinked or pinched by seats, batteries or fuel tanks.

Check that the filter in the glass fuel bowl is free of gummy deposits.

Clean it if necessary, before you start out. Make a note to keep a spare filter handy.

If the fuel tank connections leak, the usual fault is a perished rubber O ring, which can easily be removed and replaced.

Connect the fuel line to the motor then squeeze the bulb to see that fuel reaches the filter bowl. Go over the fuel hoses from the filter bowl to the fuel pump to the carburettor to check they are not kinked or split.

After you’ve packed up for the day it’s a good idea to disconnect the fuel line from the motor and allow the engine to run the carburettor dry—a precaution against oil settling in the carburettor and causing hard starting next time you want to use the motor.