Marine Engine Care | Sea Foam

BASIC MAINTENANCE

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A MARINE ENGINE

A GUIDE TO BASIC MARINE
ENGINE MAINTENANCE

Asked if he’s ever run into engine trouble out on the water, pro bass angler Chad Morgenthaler pauses and laughs before responding.

“I put thousands of hours each year on my rig and travel all over the nation to different bodies of water,” he says. “I have experienced just about every situation. Some of it has been self inflicted, but little to none of it has been due to negligence, or not paying attention to my maintenance schedules.”

Routine preventive maintenance is crucial not just for Morgenthaler, but any boat owner looking to have a trouble-free season on the water.

MANY OF THE COMMON PROBLEMS THAT LEAVE BOATERS STRANDED OR EVEN STRUGGLING TO GET ON THE LAKE IN THE FIRST PLACE ARE EASILY PREVENTABLE.

Morgenthaler, a former auto technician who describes himself as “that guy” when it comes to making sure his rig is in top operating condition, offers some insight into his spring maintenance checklist and tips for overcoming common marine engine problems throughout the season.

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How, why, and when to add Sea Foam Marine PRO to your boat fuel to help it start easier, run smoother, and last longer.

SEA FOAM MARINE PRO

COMPLETE MARINE 
ENGINE TREATMENT

Marine Pro is a complete marine fuel system treatment. It works in fuel systems to clean and lubricate critical marine engine areas, prevent varnish buildup, and stabilize fuel up to two years.

When added to fuel, it works through fuel injectors and carburetors to safely remove harmful engine residues and deposits from fuel passageways, intake valves, pistons and chamber areas. A cleaner marine engine will start faster, run smoother, and last longer!

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR BOAT MOTOR

THE FIRST STEP TO AVOIDING ENGINE TROUBLE IS TO GET IN THE HABIT OF FOLLOWING REPEATABLE PROCEDURES FOR WINTERIZATION, SPRING STARTING AND SUMMER MAINTENANCE.

“People are their own worst enemy because at the end of the year they pull their boats off the water, put them in the garage and never touch it again until spring or summer, and they expect everything to work like a champ and it doesn’t,” Morgenthaler says.

In the spring, Morgenthaler recommends a thorough evaluation and prep process covering:

FUEL

“Without a doubt, the most common problem, especially your first time out, is caused by fuel,” Morgenthaler says.  

Fuel that is left untreated can lead to varnish buildup, clogged injectors, deteriorating gaskets and other problems, not to mention that fuel left sitting for long periods of time loses its ignition vapor and overall potency. Hard starts, rough idle and even engine stalls can result from bad fuel.  

Morgenthaler recommends buying your first tank (and all tanks if possible) of fuel from a station that sells a high volume of gas, so you know it’s fresh. On top of that, he suggests treating the fuel with a product such as Sea Foam Marine PRO.  

For more information about the best way to use Marine PRO, check out our video covering three simple steps to get your boat to run better.

PROP

Inspect the prop assembly to make sure it is undamaged and free of debris, such as line or rope. Prop problems are a common way to get stranded on a lake. Morgenthaler says it’s a good idea to get familiar with swapping props if you’re not already, and to carry a prop kit with you whenever you’re out on the boat.

ELECTRICAL

It seems basic, but dead batteries are another common culprit when problems surface on the water. Make sure your battery is charged and that the terminals are tight and clean. A quick visual inspection of your wiring is a good idea, as well as making sure your fuses are in good shape. Morgenthaler carries a spare fuse kit just in case. Inspecting/swapping spark plugs each year is also recommended.

Throughout the boating season, Morgenthaler says it’s important not to get complacent about maintenance. He does a weekly walk-around to make sure everything is in good shape on his rig.

BEAT THE HEAT

Morgenthaler also suggests keeping an eye on your water intake ports, especially if boating in grassy waters, to make sure you avoid clogs that could lead to overheating and more serious, expensive problems.

Beyond that, he says, using common sense will keep your boat running great and doing what it’s supposed to do—providing fun for you and your family this summer.

“There are some instances that are just unavoidable; some mechanical breakdowns are going to happen,” Morgenthaler says. “But be prepared for them and do what you can to prevent them. And that’s the best that you can do.”

HOW MARINE PRO helps your boat engine run better

FUEL ISSUES ARE THE #1 CAUSE OF marine ENGINE PROBLEMS.

Fuel evaporation and the buildup of gum and varnish in carburetors and fuel lines can lead to problems like not starting, hard starting, or rough running. 

Marine PRO works to clean and prevent harmful gum and varnish. Marine PRO also preserves ignition vapors and stabilizes fuel up to two years.

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WATCH customer stories

QUALITY OF PRODUCT

MECHANIC IN A CAN

I’ve owned a 2006 Yamaha F90 Tiller on a Lund18 ProV since new! I Did not think there was anything wrong with my Yamaha Tiller. I had about 6 gallons left in my tank when I added the Seafoam Marine Pro. I took it to the lake, took off down the lake not really expecting a lot but boy did I get a surprise after a while the motor was running smoother, the hole shot is noticeably improved! I did not realize my motor was ill! I It was like having a Mechanic in a can. Wow this stuff works! I will use Seafoam Marine Pro with every fill up as well as winter storage!

★★★★★

YukonJack / YAMAHA 50HP 4-STROKE / OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST IN NORTH DAKOTA

EFFECTIVENESS

SEA FOAM MARINE – MAGIC POTION

I have a 2014 Tracker Wt 16 w/ 60HP Mercury I purchased new . I have about 100 hrs on this and have used additives from time to time. After using Sea Foam Marine PRO for a month now my Mercury starts on the first turn of the key. It has totally cleaned out the injectors and has no spitting or sputtering. The hole shot take off has improved with no hesitation. When I idle down it will be so quiet that I have to look behind me to see if we’re even moving, it runs that smooth. I have to refuel before the next outing and I will definitely add another can of Sea Foam Marine PRO to the fuel tank. Thank you for such a great reliable product.

★★★★★

WAYNE / 2014 TRACKER & 60HP MERCURY / OUTDOOR ENTHUSIAST IN FLORIDA

EFFECTIVENESS

THIS STUFF IS AWESOME

“I have a 2008 optimax mercury been running rough missing i changed the plugs but it did not help i run it low on gas and added the whole can of seafoam and ran it around the lake fishing the more i ran it the better it started to run i ran it just about out of gas and then filled up the tank its running awesome now seems like the new seafoam did the trick i will use this from now on in my motor and i allready told my fishing buddy about it.”

★★★★★

Tucky / 2008 MERCURY OPTIMAX / DO-IT-YOURSELFER IN TENNESSEE

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