The Most Common Outboard Engine Issues: Fuel Systems and Flushing

Join boats.com Senior Editor, Lenny Rudow, as he walks us through the most common outboard engine issues, particularly involving fuel systems and flushing. RELATED VIDEOS & PLAYLISTS: Basic Trouble Shooting When Your Outboard Won't Start - https://youtu.be/hZGfjNzdT9U?list=PLsiC-0C78AkEskOh3QIJAr7MOqD0D4AYr 3 Stupid Ways to Kill an Outboard - https://youtu.be/pNzW35bYoSs?list=PLsiC-0C78AkEskOh3QIJAr7MOqD0D4AYr Boating Tips: Avoid This Outboard Winterizing Blunder - https://youtu.be/gH4H-npUzoM?list=PLsiC-0C78AkEskOh3QIJAr7MOqD0D4AYr Outboard Engine Maintenance - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsiC-0C78AkEskOh3QIJAr7MOqD0D4AYr Outboard Engine News - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsiC-0C78AkEFf419BT0mqrTo8_D8GG7y Read the full article: https://www.boats.com/reviews/the-most-common-outboard-engine-issues-fuel-systems-and-flushing/ For more how-to videos, visit https://www.boats.com. Visit our boats.com How-To library, and you'll notice that a lot of the topics relate to outboard engines. This shouldn't be a surprise, since outboards have been growing in popularity for many years now. So we decided to ask Chris Breeden, the service manager at Norfolk Marine and a Yamaha Master Tech, which outboard problem he saw with the most regularity. Chris's first answer came without hesitation: fuel systems. Thanks to modern ethanol issues, fuel systems can be finickier than ever. According to Chris, the first step in maintaining your fuel system is the use of a 10 micron fuel filter/water separator. Secondly, he notes that adding a fuel stabilizer to the tank each and every time you fill up is a must. And particularly on smaller, carbureted motors, the fuel system should be drained down every time the boat will sit unused for more than a few days at a time. The first step in this process is to start the engine, and disconnect the fuel line. Then let the engine idle until it runs out of fuel. Next, place a rag under the carburetor and open up the carb drain screw. Once all the remaining fuel has drained away, the engine can sit for several months without any issues. Making sure the fuel in your tank stays good is, of course, a separate issue (for more information on long-term fuel storage, read Ethanol Winterizing Tips). The next most common problem Chris sees is damage due to saltwater use without freshwater flushing. Corrosion and salt build up, anodes melt away, scaling clogs passages and gets into places it doesn't belong, and then you're left with major damage and a major repair bill. In fact, Chris showed us the inside of an outboard that hadn't been flushed regularly and it was a mess—to the tune of thousands of dollars in repair bills.