If
the boat engine hesitates when you try to start it or it runs rough
once you get it going, check the spark plugs.
Make sure the plugs are properly seated on the cylinder head so
they are sealed and adequately transfer heat. If that seems OK,
then check the gapping of each plug ... generally, plugs should
be gapped at 0.50 mm but check the engine manufacturer recommendations
and adjust accordingly.
Should your plugs be in good shape then move to the wires. Make
sure they are tight. Check for cracks and stiffness because both
conditions mean they need to be replaced. Cracked wires can result
in the spark plugs not getting enough juice. Also inspect the connections
between the battery and other electronic systems such as the regulator
and alternator. Make sure the connections are tight.
Another common cause of rough engine performance is excessive water
or dirt in the oil or fuel. Dirty fuel filters or water in the fuel-water
separator are indicators of this problem. (Click
here for oil changing information.) There is usually some water
in fuel to begin with, but when combined with condensation in the
fuel tank the amount can become excessive.
In time, the water will separate from the fuel and settle on the
bottom of the tank along with a bacteria-fungi laden sludge that
was once diesel fuel. (Fuel is a perfect breeding solution for some
bacteria.) Eventually, the dirty mix will find its way into your
engine.
Use a fuel additive that contains a water dispersing agent and
biocide to remedy the problem. Drain the fuel-water separator and
change the fuel pump filters.
Remember, it's not a car ... don't substitute land-vehicle
parts for marine vehicle parts. Marine parts are designed to operate
in a water environment ... others are not.
Change the oil and filter regularly. This basic
maintenance tip has saved countless engine problems.
When gasoline engines start they smoke to some
degree, but once the engine runs for a minute or so there should
be no excessive smoke. Excessive black smoke could mean worn rings,
a fuel mixture problem or an oil leak.
BOAT
ENGINE CARE & REPAIR
Boat Battery Basics
Corrosion kills batteries. If the battery has a white crystallized
powder on top then it needs cleaning. If unchecked, the corrosive
material will begin to drain the battery. A paste of household baking
soda and water will remove the corrosion from the battery and wire
connections. (Wear eye protection.)
Keep the battery in a dry, well-ventilated area of the boat.
Make sure water levels are maintained in dual-purpose and deep-cycle
batteries. Use distilled water to refill. (Maintenance-free gel
and starting batteries are sealed and should not be tampered with.)
Keep the battery properly charged. It is important to use the
type charger recommended by the battery manufacturer. Overheating
is easy, for example, if a gel battery is not charged a charger
that regulates voltage and compensates for temperature.
Don't routinely run a battery down ... and never discharge below
12 volts ... batteries don't tolerate routine deep discharges and
they don't recover well during recharging. (Use a voltage tester
or "voltmeter" to check the voltage.)
Perform regular load tests. Batteries are rated by the cold cranking
amp. Testers should be capable of applying a load that equals to
about half of the battery's cold cranking amp. For example, if a
battery is 650 amps, the tester should be capable of applying a
325-amp load. When testing a 650-amp battery, the testing amp load
should be applied for about 15 seconds ... terminal voltage should
be 9.6-volts.
Recharge the battery promptly after use to prolong its life.
Federal regulations governing boating include adherence to the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act and the Refuse Act.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act hones in on the discharge
of oil or other hazardous substances into the waterways.
The United States Coast Guard requires that a vessel's bilge be
kept "reasonably clean." What's more, boat operators can
face heavy fines should they pump oily bilge water out of the vessel
and into the waterways. In fact, a boat operator can be fined for
illegally polluting waterways if a even a small amount of contaminants
... just a visible sheen ... is seen floating atop the water near
a boat. Fines have been known to exceed $20,000 for dumping oily
bilge solution into the water.
Owners of recreational vessels are urged to equip their boats with
with oil absorbent pads, bailer or pumps, and plastic bags to gather
and transport hazardous substances, including oil, to an authorized
reception facility. Most marinas and boat yards are authorized waste
reception facilities.
The act also specifies that no person may intentionally drain oil
or oily waste from any source into the bilge.
The Refuse Act prohibits discharging or depositing any trash, garbage,
oil or other liquid pollutants into the nation's waters.
In addition, no plastic items may be dumped overboard in US waters,
including synthetic ropes, fishing nets and plastic bags. The following
guidelines must be followed to comply with the law:
Dunnage … loose packing material used to protect a ship's
cargo from damage during transport … prohibited less than
25 miles from land.
Food waste, paper, rags, glass, metal, bottles and similar materials
… prohibited less than 12 miles from land.
Ground food waste, paper, rags, etc., prohibited less than 3
miles from land.
If you spill any amount of hazardous waste or oil into the water,
you must notify the US Coast Guard National Response Center at
1-800-424-8802, contact your local Coast Guard Station on Channels
9 or 16 or click
here then mouse over contact us to e-mail the center (lst-nrcinfo@comdt.uscg.mil).
Failure to report a spill may result in a civil penalty and/or
imprisonment.
If you are the type of boater
who takes pride in your vessel and stays atop engine and boat maintenance
you don't want your efforts overlooked because you neglected to remove
grease and oil smudges, stains and spills from your engine, bilge
and other areas of your boat.
Smart boaters know that a premium-grade, biodegradable degreaser
makes it easy to keep their boats sparkling and clean from engine
to stern.
Most degreasers remove oil and other petroleum-based agents. But
marine degreasers are made especially for boats and use near the
water. The better products are all-purpose cleaners that can safely
be used on boat engines, bilges and throughout the vessel.
Here is a short list of marine degreasing products available at some
quality specialty marine supply stores.
If
the boat engine hesitates when you try to start it or it runs rough
once you get it going, check the spark plugs.