Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair
SECOND EDITION
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Photographs by Susan Thorpe Waterman.
Illustrations by Geoffrey N. Skog.
Material on pages 127-134 courtesy of Mercury Marine.
Material on pages 139-141 reprinted with permission from Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
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To my father, Edwin C. Sherman, who began
teaching me about things mechanical and electrical before
he taught me to ride a bicycle.
In the last chapter of the first edition of Outboard Engines: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Repair, I took a look at the future. When that edition was published in 1997 we were on the threshold of dramatically changing technology that would change the world of outboard engines forever. In the 10-plus years since that first edition we have seen this evolution occur, and just as I predicted, four-stroke outboards and exotic, computer-controlled fuel injection systems have taken over. These new-technology engines are cleaner burning and far more fuel efficient than their earlier brethren, not to mention more reliable. But, as with many things (your car, for example), outboard engines have evolved to a point where many of the more advanced diagnostic procedures are not going to be performed by the backyard mechanic. The equipment and specialized training required to perform certain tasks is simply not available to the average boatowner. But even with all that said, proper maintenance and having a more intimate knowledge of the inner workings of these new engines is important to all boatowners if they are to enjoy a trouble-free boating experience and achieve the maximum longevity from their not-so-inexpensive engine.
So with those thoughts in mind, this second edition of Outboard Engines includes much new information, as well as a chapter devoted to each of the major engine manufacturers that cover some brand-specific nuances. The fundamentals haven't changed, so those chapters remain relatively untouched, but chapters covering such things as fuel and ignition systems have been dramatically updated. Four-stroke engine troubleshooting and maintenance have been given considerable coverage as well.
As with the first edition, this book is not a substitute for the factory workshop manual covering your particular engine. You'll still need to consult that manual, and when this is important I will point it out in the text. So, you might ask yourself, why do I need this book anyhow? Well, the truth is that the creators of workshop manuals assume a certain level of mechanical expertise and/or specialized training in their readers. A thorough read of Outboard Engines will give you the knowledge you need to actually get something out of your manual, and will spell out for you when to call in a professional. At least if you do have to turn your engine over to a professional, you can feel confident that you are an informed consumer. You'll be better able to describe your engine's problem and hopefully save some money in high hourly labor rates.
With the help of Outboard Engines, you'll feel comfortable about performing your own outboard maintenance. You'll be perfectly capable of handling all minor service and repair problems. And by following the procedures outlined here, you should be able to diagnose minor problems before they become big ones. In short, if you follow my guidelines, your engine should give you many years of boating pleasure and trouble-free service.
