Table of Contents
How does a small outboard motor work?
The crankshaft turns the main driveshaft running down the long spine of the motor. A small gearbox at the bottom of the driveshaft converts vertical spinning motion into horizontal spinning motion. The propeller powered by horizontally spinning gears powers the boat through the water.
How does a 2-stroke marine engine work?
A 2-stroke engine goes through two steps to effect combustion, and each involves the piston moving the length of the cylinder, or making a “stroke.” 1. As the piston begins to move up, it compresses the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder and closes off both the intake and exhaust valves.
How do outboard motors get air?
Marine engines typically will not have a true air filter. There’s an air box in front of outboard engine carburetors to quiet the sound of air rushing into the engine. Inboard motors use a flame arrestor on their carburetors to eliminate the possibility of fire and bilge explosion.
What is the fin on the bottom of a outboard motor called?
What is the purpose of a skeg? The skeg of your outboard or stern drive motor serves two highly important functions. The skeg acts as a precise rudder, allowing the motor to turn your boat accurately and safely. Second, The skeg allows essential protection of your propeller from debris in the water and running aground.
Why should a boats gas tank never be completely filled?
It’s important to never fill the tank of your boat beyond 90% full. This leaves room for gas to expand and avoids the potential for overflow. Ensure that all air vents and valves to the gas tank are open.
Can you run a boat motor without water?
An outboard motor should never be operated without a source of water entering the inlet screens to supply the water pump. Without a source of water for lubrication, the water pump will be the first to be damaged, followed shortly thereafter by the engine from a lack of cooling.
How does an outboard motor start?
Used outboard motors require just the right touch. Outboards start like a car; just tilt them down and turn the key.
How are marine engines different?
A car engine typically only uses a portion of its horsepower to maintain a decent speed on the road. On the other hand, a marine engine is essentially at full throttle all the time just to move it through the water, so it has to be pretty heavy duty to keep up.
Is there such thing as a 3 stroke engine?
A three-stroke internal combustion engine completes a complete combustion cycle of exhaust, intake, compression, ignition, and expansion within a single revolution of a crankshaft by a single stroke of a first piston and a single stroke of a second piston within a single cylinder.
How many cylinders does a 2-stroke engine have?
The three-cylinder, opposed-piston, two-stroke engine configuration has slightly overlapping gas-exchange events, resulting in a phenomenon known as cross charging. In a two-cylinder configuration, however, the gas-exchange events are too timely separated.
Why do boat engines need water?
The water flows through the engine and directly out the exhaust. This cooler water absorbs heat from the engine to help keep it cool. Most newer marine engines use an enclosed cooling system. This means that there is a small tank on the top of the engine that uses a combination of fresh water and coolant.
Can you put a boat motor in a car?
Ford, or any other marine engine that matches the manufacturers automobile specifications will fit. However there are several marine engines made just for motor boats and cannot be interchanged. But usually if you can get the motor mounts at a auto parts store, it will fit in a car.
Where does the exhaust come out on an outboard?
Most all of the exhaust of an outboard is expelled through the bottom fin of the propeller. This is why there are bubbles coming up from the propellers when the boat is started. This exhaust is also mixed with some water from the cooling system. It cycles through the engine and then is pushed up with the exhaust.
Why is a skeg called a skeg?
In boats and ships In ships such as Mary Rose, the skeg is a very small feature; a tapered extension of the keel below the leading edge of the rudder. This somewhat beard-like sternward extension of the keel is the basic skeg. This helped further stabilize and protect the rudder and the name skeg was transferred to it.
What is the purpose of a whale tail on a boat?
The main goal of the whale’s tail is to help reduce fuel use by using wave energy to help the ship move forward.
What is a boat transom?
The cross-section of the stern, where you attach an outboard motor, is called the transom. On the top of the boat are metal fittings called cleats. When docking your boat, you fasten a rope or cable to the cleats.
How long can a boat motor run without water?
What is the maximum amount of time you can run a boat motor without water? The maximum amount of time you can run your boat motor without water is between 2 and 10 seconds if you must.
How long can a boat motor sit without running?
One of the most commonly-asked questions we get is, “Is it okay if my boat isn’t running for a while in Fort Lauderdale, FL?” The answer is yes—but you have to do some maintenance beforehand. As long as it’s well maintained before going into storage, a boat can sit for a few months, a few years or even a few decades.
