Checks before starting and after running
Pre-start engine checks
- Water — check the fresh-water coolant level and confirm the raw-water seacock is open.
- Oil — check the engine oil and the gearbox oil on their dipsticks.
- Belts — check the drive belt tension and condition.
- Look — look around the engine for leaks of fuel, oil or water, and for anything loose.
- Exhaust — after starting, confirm cooling water is discharging at the exhaust within a few seconds.
Routine maintenance
- Change the engine oil and the oil filter at the maker's intervals — old oil loses its protection.
- Keep the fuel clean: drain water and sediment from the pre-filter/water trap and change the fuel filters regularly.
- Carry and know how to fit the common spares: impeller, drive belts, fuel and oil filters, and oil.
- Keep the raw-water strainer clear and the seacock accessible, and check the anodes.
WARNING — Old oil and dirty fuel cause most failures Oil that is overdue a change has lost its protective additives, and dirty or watered fuel starves and damages the engine. Servicing oil, filters and the water trap on schedule prevents most breakdowns.
TIP — A quick look prevents a long tow A one-minute look around the engine before starting — for leaks, loose fittings and belt condition — catches problems in harbour that would otherwise strand you at sea.