Weekly and Monthly Maintenance

• There are several things you can do on a weekly or monthly basis to keep your motor running properly. On a monthly basis, check the fuel line of the engine to make sure that there are no cracks or spots that have become worn or discolored. Outboard motors have an external casing to protect hoses and other vital equipment. Check that this outer casing does not have any cracks and is not leaking water into the engine block. It is a good idea to open up this casing to see whether there is any corrosion on the inside. Rust or parts that are breaking away would indicate a leak. Check that the fuel tank is free from cracks or discoloration, as well. A leaking gas tank can be dangerous. When checking the gas tank, make sure to check that there isn't any water present in the fuel. This could indicate engine trouble.
  
  

End-of-Season Maintenance

• If you wish, you can keep the outboard motor attached to your boat when giving it maintenance. The first thing you should do when you get the boat into storage is to clean the cooling system . Remove the propeller from the motor and run the engine in neutral. You will want to run some water through the engine. You can do this by attaching a hose to the motor's water intake adapter. With the engine running, the water will circulate, cleaning out debris. If you run your boat in salt water, you may need to taste the water that is coming out--without swallowing--to make sure the salt is out. Salt in the engine over a long period can ruin components.
  
  

Seasonal Maintenance

• If you have taken your boat out of winter storage and are preparing for the beginning of the season, it might be necessary to have your motor checked out by a professional mechanic if you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself. Once you have your boat out onto the water, there are a few things to do to keep your engine running all season. Make sure to always turn off the battery switch for the engine, if you have one. The motor will not start if the battery is flat. Once the engine has cooled, you should wipe down all the moving components with an anti-corrosive, like WD-40 spray. Do this to the throttle, all the cables and the carburetor. If you store your boat outside, make sure to buy a good waterproof cover for it, so that the engine is not exposed to the elements when you are not using it.