N. TRIANTOY
KALAMATA OUTBOARD SERVICE
SALES, REPAIRS and MAINTENANCE for
BOATS, OUTBOARDS and INFLATABLES
PARTS, and MARINE ACCESSORIES
Λόγω συνταξιοδότησης πωλείτε η επιχείρηση, αλλά και ανταλλακτικά σε χαμηλές τιμές!!
Outboard engine maintenance (servicing).
What you need to watch out!
Question ... what is the maintenance and ... should we be concerned?
The answer is in the following sentence...
* * * The purpose of maintenance (service) is to PREVENT a failure
and not try to treat it in the middle of the sea!
Outboard engines must always be in perfect condition, because they are the only means of propulsion of the boat! The user must feel sure that they function perfectly and they will not leave him helpless in the middle of a trip or during the so much-needed summer vacation.
We can easily understand (as owner or as a user of outboards engines or a boat) that we should be concerned about proper maintenance (servicing).
What are we expecting from an outboard maintenance???
We expect from the outboard workshop to carefully inspect the engines, repair and replace that is needed, so we will be safe at sea. On the other hand, an experienced outboard professional is not limited to the standard manufacturer's instructions but inspects and other things that count from his experience.
Let’s not forget!
There are many things that MUST be checked and these are NOT visible by the eye!!!
It is VERY important for outboard engines to be maintained at the END of the season and the annual maintenance to be done by professional technicians for outboard engines.
You should be addressed to a workshop that you trust, it works for many years and do this job all year round.
You must NEVER neglect this procedure, because your engines are inspected by someone who really knows their true needs!
AVOID various itinerant technicians and the "mr. I know everything".
Give value to your money you spend and thus ensure proper operation without unpleasant contingencies and damages during holidays.
* Our difference from other outboard workshops!!!
ALL old parts that have been replaced on your engine or boat are given back to you in order to verify that indeed they have been replaced and see if they actually had to be replaced!
After completing the maintenance of your outboard or boat all are registered and stored in an electronic log.
It is always useful to know the history of works that have been done.
Let’s see some works conducted during the annual maintenance.
Change engine oil and gear lube of the outboard
Change of engine oil is the first thing done at each annual maintenance or every 100 hours of operation (for 4-stroke outboard engines).
Gear lube change is the second thing done at each annual maintenance or every 50 hours of engine operation.
Both engine oil and gear lube when removed they are checked visually, in texture and color.
For example: If the smell or the color is not the right one but it turns yellow, it means that there is inflow of seawater and need to check the engine block or respectively the gear case.
Outboard anodes
There are those can seen by the eye (on the lower unit and below the brackets) and those are hidden (inside the engine block). All the anodes are removed and inspected.
An inspection to the anodes is needed!
We remind you that they are sacrificial material and the number one guard from the worst enemy of the engine, electrolysis.
They are never covered with paint.
It is normal to see them filled with holes. Such decay is a sign of their good operation.
Boat water separating filter
The boat’s water separating filter is necessary. It should be replaced every year, because of poor quality gasoline and because the boat stays for long periods stationary.
This results the water to stand out from gasoline and create the known problems in the operation of the outboard engine.
Using a well known brand water separating filter is the best investment!
High and low pressure fuel filters
Gasoline is firstly filtered in the boat’s water separating filter and then in the low-pressure filter. After that it passes the high pressure fuel filter.
Many times it is necessary to change both of these filters, due to poor gasoline quality that we get from a petrol station.
Oil filter
Oil filter is changed at each annual maintenance of the engine.
Propeller checking
At each annual maintenance the propeller is removed from its shaft. Old greases and anything else that does not belong there are cleaned.
There is an inspection on the shaft and on the propeller’s mound damper for any discrepancies.
The blades are inspected for any kind of damage.
New special grease is applied and returns to the shaft.
In large horsepower engines, between the propeller and its shaft is interposed a plastic propeller hub kit.
This part protects the shaft and the gearbox gears if the propeller hits to a hard object (stump, rock, stone). So the damage is absorbed by this plastic propeller hub kit which can be easily replaced.
It is advisable to always have a spare.
Engine thermostat
Seawater is circulating through the thermostat in order to cool the engine.
Thermostats need necessarily inspection on each annual maintenance.
Often salts or sand sediment ate stop the proper operation of the thermostat.
By replacing it or not, the necessary cleaning of the thermostat and its housing is done and a replacement of the gasket in needed.
Impeller
The impeller is actually the pump who sends the sea water to the engine in order to cool it.
The impeller should be checked and it is almost necessary to be changed in the annual maintenance.
This happens because it is constantly entrapped inside the water pump housing, whether the engine works or not!
The components involved with the impeller for adequate water circulation, are cleaned, greased and repositioned.
Spark plugs
Spark plugs are changed according to the manufacturer's instructions after certain hours of operation.
Inspected visually for any rust which may come either from water in fuel or damaged cylinder head gasket!
Oxidations in cables
Cables and their joins or terminals are inspected visually. Any oxidation is cleaned.
Electrolysis
In the engine’s lower unit and particularly in the skeg below the propeller, wear (corrosion) may occur. This area will be sanded and painted properly.
If you do not pay attention, the more likely is the corrosion of the metal to get worse.
Batteries - battery terminals
The boat’s batteries are tested at each annual maintenance.
The battery terminals should be checked for oxidations which cause poor conductivity of electricity to the boat and the outboard engine.
Speedometer gauge
At the lower unit of the engine is an entrance (a hole). Through that the sea water enters and depending on the speed, we have a display of the boat’s speed.
This hole is sometimes blocked.
Cylinder compression
The cylinder compression measurement reveals the "health” of the engine.
Before placing the spark plug, the measurement is made by putting the compression gauge into each cylinder.
The manufacturer of the outboard engine can specify the value in the service manual book.
This book is available only in an outboard engine workshop.
Checking timing belt
The timing belt is checked at each annual maintenance.
We check for cracks, wear and scars and of course the pulley's condition.
Steering & control system
The inspection of the hydraulic steering system is necessary.
The steering liquid level must be checked for leaks and add liquid in the system when necessary.
In boats with no hydraulic steering system, but the classic steering system with the cable is available, different jobs are done.
A thorough cleaning, new lubrication and replacement of the sealing kit if necessary will be done.
Outboard engine cleaning
The outboard operates with special flushing attachment that applied to the bottom cowl or the sides of the lower unit, or using tank with fresh water in combination with a special fluid. The engine’s operation is observed. By using a tank with water, we can better control oil leakage).
For best results we prefer the engine is running and has reached the operation temperature, because it will detach more salt from the inside.
The outboard engine from top to bottom is applied with special cleaning fluids that are able to remove salt, oil, old greases and old dirt.We give great attention to the bottom of the engine’s block and the bottom cowl.
This is where we find deposits of sea water and salt from the operation of the engine. Large amounts of deposits of oil and salt thoroughly checked for engine or pipe damage!
Next we lubricate all moving parts with marine lubricant and the engine block with special marine anti-corrosion guard.
We clean the engine upper cowl and in particular the air inlets.
Cleaning outboard engine power trim
A detailed cleaning of the power trim and outboard engine brackets with be done with special liquid witch can clean salt, seaweeds and other algae, old grease and dirt.
Great importance is given to the power trim motor cover for oxidation.
This happens by the constant contact with salt water.
Checking and filling hydraulic fluids and leakage control is the last step.
Electronic outboard motor check
At the annual maintenance (service) a general electronic engine monitoring is done and we check:
- Water temperature
- Oil temperature
- Water pressure
- Battery Charging
- Checking the engine memory history of ECM or PCM control engine module unit for records and if
necessary checks are made.
* After completion of the annual maintenance of each outboard engine, all works are recorded on the engine calendar. So you know (and pay) in detail, at any time, the works done so far. In that way you pay only that you must, in any annual maintenance and you give greater resale value on your outboard engines!
* All old parts that replaced, are given to you to cross-check that
indeed are replaced and
check if they really needed to be replaced!
!!! Now you know that the proper maintenance of outboard engines and your boat, by a TRUE professional of the kind, it is not only necessary to protect them but also to help you enjoy your holiday safely and without sad contingencies for you and your family !
Always available for any questions that will arise.
