3 Tips for Outboard Motor Maintenance

Let’s be honest—the professionals at your local dealership know best when it comes to your Crestliner boat’s outboard. But you play a role in making sure your engine has a good long life and stays in top shape. Follow these three outboard maintenance tips to keep your Crestliner boat motoring through the waterways for years to come.

Fuel up wisely

Gassing up a boat takes a little more thought than a car when you get to the pump. Ethanol deteriorates faster than regular gasoline, leading to a host of problems if you don’t treat it. That means it’s critical to use a fuel additive any time you fuel up with ethanol.

Think about how often you’ll be using your boat in the coming weeks. If you won’t use up all the fuel within a few weeks, you’ll need to add a fuel stabilizer to prevent water from contaminating the fuel, a problem called “phase separation.” And remember, E15 fuel is always a no-go with outboard engines.

Flush with fresh water

Whether you’re boating in salt water or a freshwater lake, it’s important that you flush your outboard with clean water to rinse our part particulate matter, mineral deposits, and other contaminants. This will help your engine’s cooling system stay clean and free of corrosion. Watch Mercury’s Flushing an Outboard Motor video to understand the best way to flush your engine.

Get your Crestliner boat serviced

Look through your owner’s manual to find your manufacturer’s recommendations on how often to service your outboard. The general recommendation for service is once a year or every 100 miles. Most people drive between 50 and 75 hours per year, which means an annual service is right for most people. Your dealership will inspect and/or change the outboard’s powerhead and lower unit oils, filters, and spark plugs as well as the water pump impeller.

These three tips alone will help you keep your outboard operating smoothly for a long time, but here are a few bonus tips for maximum engine care: wash it, wax it, cover it. Taking care of your outboard will help you get years of happy boating aboard your Crestliner.