When it comes down to boat engines, you don’t want to wait until you’re out in the water to start experiencing issues. Hopefully, your engine will start playing up when you’re a little closer to shore but just in case, we have some failsafe tips for you.

Putting these troubleshooting procedures can help turn around a disheartening situation. You won’t have to be stranded for long if you know what to do. Maybe your motor has had its day and you need to begin searching for a new one. If that’s the case, there’s a variety of Mercury outboard motors at BBMS Swanwick.

TROUBLESHOOTING A TROUBLESOME BOAT ENGINE

• Firstly, check the electrics

The first thing you need to rule out is any underlying electrical issues. You’ll want to double check the battery power to see if there are any loose connections and that the battery is still working. These things are simple but can make a big difference.

Think back to the last time the battery was replaced, for example, this could be the issue. Another thing you could do is try checking the spark plug’s connection. Start by removing it and reconnecting the threads to ensure everything is as it should.

The next phase…

You may have done all you can do on the electrical side of things. If you don’t have an in-depth knowledge of this area then you will want to consult with a professional. The next phase will be to call in a trustworthy mechanic to detect the deeper issue.

• Checking for any issues with fuel

The next area you can investigate is the fuel. There could be old gas sitting in the tank that can be slowing down the engine. If you haven’t used the boat in a while, old fuel can do more damage than good. It’s therefore wise to refresh the tank before taking it out.

Also, check the gasoline hasn’t been mixed with too much outside elements will be a good way to see if it’s okay. You want to keep the gasoline motor in as good condition as possible so refreshing the tank might be the best way to go.

Also, double check the fuel flow as you will then be able to see if there is any damage visually. Damage may cause the pressure to drop so if this happens then you know there is a problem.

• Troubleshoot the water

Check the water flow to ensure the coolant is working as it should to cool down the temperature of the water. This way, the boat and engine will not get overheated and it should keep running in good order.

Maybe you can see that the water flow is somehow compromised. If this is the case, there might be a block somewhere.

As you can see, these are just basic checks that can make a huge difference to your boat engine’s motor. It just takes some basic knowledge of mechanics plus a few tools and you should be ready to go! However, if the issue is a little trickier, you don’t want to do more damage in the long run. It’s worth investing in a specialist to do the job and ensure your boat works as it should.