If you own a 4-stroke outboard engine, you know it is a low maintenance and eco-friendly machine. Taking care of if it is simple. If you want to extend your boat’s service life, check out this article.

Low-Maintenance is Not No-Maintenance

Just because your 4-stroke engine is low maintenance, it doesn’t mean that it requires no maintenance. You still need to perform some basic maintenance tasks if you expect your engine to provide you 4,000 hours (or more) of working service. Ignoring routine tune-ups can greatly reduce your engine’s life expectancy and cause severe problems. Remember that maintaining your boat isn’t just changing the marine oil and caring for the water pump. Here are some tips, Ken Reaser Enterprises has enlisted for you to ensure your four-stroke outboard engine can give you a long life of service.

The Great Reasons to Own a Four-Stroke Outboard

You decide which engine is best for your boat according to its benefits. Of course, both 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines have advantages of their own, but let’s talk about the greatness of four-strokes. For starters, 4-stroke engines are more fuel efficient. They spend almost 50% less gas than two-strokes. You don’t need to worry about mixing your fuel with oil, which means increased savings.  These engines are also quieter and release less smoke. A loud and smelly engine won't cloud your boating day. Less smoke translates into few toxic emissions, making 4-stroke engines the more environmentally friendly option. Another great way in which they’re better for the environment is that they don’t release the oil directly into the water. These engines have a longer service life because they’re easier to maintain. Four-stroke engines are covered in oil to provide constant lubrication and cool its components. Unlike two-stroke engines rely on air or gas to carry the oil to the main parts of the engine.

Basic Maintenance to Extend Your 4-Stroke Engine’s Life

Replace Your Marine Oil

Internal combustion engines require lubrication to function. You need to check your marine oil levels regularly and get a synthetic oil change if necessary. Small outboards, usually need fresh oil every 50 hours of service, as for bigger boats it’s around every 100 hours. If you don’t use your outboard frequently, you should get a synthetic oil change and new oil filter once a year. You should consult your owner’s manual for more precise information about when you need to change your oil and which oil you need to use. AMSOIL has an excellent marine line to meet your outboard’s lubrication needs. You can try their 10W-30 Synthetic Marine Engine Oil, which you can get at their online store. You can also call Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958 to get some help choosing the right oil to meet your engine’s needs.

Check the Anodes

The anodes are metal components fixed to the bottom of the power trim bracket and the lower unit. They prevent corrosion from reaching the engine. Four-stroke engines are more vulnerable to corrosion than two-strokes because they operate at higher speeds, especially if the internal anodes are not taken care of. If the anodes get corroded, and you don’t clean or replace them, the galvanic corrosion will spread, eat away the lower unit, and affect your engine.

Change Your Fuel

Low octane levels can cause serious problems within the cylinders, causing loss of power and rattling or cracked pistons. Most 4-stroke engines run decently on 87 octane fuel (at the lowest), but octane levels degrade over time, especially in warmer areas. You might, unknowingly, be running your boat under 84 octanes. You need to change your fuel, even more so if your boat’s been sitting idle for a long time.

Flush Your Outboard

It’s pointless to keep a boat out of the water to prevent engine corrosion. That defeats the whole purpose of a ship. What you should do to avoid engine corrosion, primarily due to salt water, is flush out the water from your engine. It’s a good idea to regularly flush your outboard because it’s not only saltwater that gets stuck in your engine. Dirt and liquefied mud can also get trapped there and harden if they aren’t flushed out. Those solid pieces of dirt can severely damage your engine. Most boats come with a garden hose port to make the engine flushing job simpler. You just need to screw a hose into it and let it run for about 15 minutes to remove all the salty water and dirt.

4- Stroke Marine Oil in Apopka to Give Your Boat a Synthetic Oil Change

One of the few reasons why your four-stroke engine should cause you trouble is neglect. If you want to keep your boat safe and healthy and extend its life expectancy, don’t make the boating mistake of avoiding regular maintenance. Remember that correct lubrication is essential to your boat’s performance. You can get everything you need for an AMSOIL Synthetic Oil change at their online store or by calling Ken Reaser Enterprises at (321) 230-6958. ;