How to Flush an Outboard Engine After Every Use
So you finally got that boat out on the water, but the work is not done when you tie it to the dock. Salt water is brutal on metal, and it eats away at your cooling system if you leave…
Category Car Guide
How to Check the Real Hours on a Boat Engine
What if you buy a boat, take it out for the first time, and the engine quits? It is a nightmare scenario for any owner. I have seen folks get tricked by a seller who reset the gauge. You need…
How to Align an Engine to a Propeller Shaft Correctly
Often people ask me about boat mechanics because they think it is just like working on a car, but it is much more precise. When your engine is not square with the shaft, you get bad vibrations and potential seal…
The Right Way to Warm Up a Diesel Engine
No, you do not need to sit in your driveway for twenty minutes before you start driving. Many people think idling helps, but it actually keeps the engine cold for far too long. That can lead to oil dilution or…
Diesel Engine Runaway? Here’s How to Stop It Fast
One afternoon, I heard a sound that made my skin crawl. It was a truck in my driveway, and its engine was screaming at a pitch that sounded like it would explode any second. Smoke poured out like a heavy…
How to Start a Diesel Engine on the Coldest Days
All diesel owners know the sinking feeling when the key turns and nothing happens. The air is freezing, the oil feels like thick molasses, and the engine refuses to fire. I have been there plenty of times, standing in the…
How to Prime a Diesel Engine Before Starting
Unless you have worked on a diesel truck before, you might find yourself stuck with a motor that refuses to turn over after a filter change. That air pocket inside the fuel lines is a common headache for any home…
Hydrolocked Diesel Engine? Here’s How to Save It
With a loud thud, the engine quits and you feel your heart sink into your gut. You just drove through that deep puddle, water got sucked into the air intake, and now the cylinders are full of liquid. It is…
White Smoke From Your Diesel? Here’s What’s Wrong
Who has not felt that pit in their stomach after seeing a thick cloud of white smoke pour out of their tailpipe? It looks scary, it smells weird, and it usually happens when you are already running late. I have…
The Mistakes That Will Destroy a Diesel Engine Fast
Since I bought my first truck, I learned that diesels are tough beasts. They work hard, they pull heavy loads, and they last forever if you treat them right. But these engines are picky about how you feed and maintain…