DIY Mechanic

Routine maintenance, repair, troubleshooting and diagnostics of gasoline-powered outboards, sterndrives and inboards, and diesel inboards. Whether you are changing spark plugs, servicing a water pump, preparing your boat for long-term storage or upgrading the exhaust system, follow these service ...

• Outboard Maintenance
• 30 Steps to Outboard Off-Season Storage
• 4-Stroke Outboard Maintenance & Lay-Up
• Water Pump Service
• Install an Outboard water Pressure Gauge
• Sterndrive Lay-Up & Start-Up
• Sterndrive Maintenance
• Sterndrive Decommissioning Procedures
• Sterndrive Alignment
• Sterndrive Idle Adjustments
• Troubleshooting With a Vacuum Gauge
• Sterndrive Repowering
• Fuel Tank Hose Assembly
• Impeller Replacement
• Rebuild a Gas Inboard (Atomic 4)
• Atomic 4 Technical Bulletins
• Marine Versus Auto Parts
• Spark Plug Diagnosis
• Troubleshooting Tilt & Trim Systems
• Propeller Section for Max Performance
• Troubleshooting Generator Overheating

• Routine Maintenance
• Diesel Lay-Up Procedures
• Troubleshooting Checklist
• Diesel FAQ
• Diesel Duty Cycles
• Calculating Diesel Gear Ratios
• Estimating Engine Power
• Racor Cracnkcase Ventilation System
• Servicing Fuel Injectors
• Bleeding Basics
• Diesel Charging Systems
• Repower Options for Sailboats
• Repowering Outboards to Diesel

• Exhaust Systems Repairs & Upgrades
• Wet Exhausts: Dos and Don'ts
• Waterlock Systems: Design & Installation
• Generator Exhaust
• diesel Smoke Diagnostics
• Troubleshooting Starting Systems
• thermostat Servicing
• Raw-water and Closed Cooling Systems
• Retrofitting Freshwater Cooling
• Outboard Cooling Tips
• Gas Engine Overheat: Causes & Prevention
• Removing Engine Scale
• Engine Cooling Troubleshooting
• Transmissions: maintenance & Fluid Analysis
• Installing Engine Monitor Gauges
• Noise Proofing Your Boat
• Reducing Engine Noise
• Generator Plumbing Tips
• Power Steering Maintenance
• Drive Train Survey & Repair
• Cutlass Bearing Replacement
• Stuffing Box Replacements
• Repacking a Stuffing Box
• PSS Shaft Seal Servicing
• Shafts: Maintain, Repair, Replace
• Shaft Bearing Replacement
• Stern Tube Removal
• Order of Propr Shaft Nuts
• Engine Coupling Alignment
• Flexible Engine Mounts

• Ethanol and Marine Engines
• Lubricating a 2-stroke
• Oil Analysis & Selection
• Diesel Oil Checks & Filter Changes
• Diesel Oil selection
• Plumbing Diesel Fuel Systems
• Diesel Fuel Cleaning
• Diesel Fuel Polishing
• Diesel Fuel Filtration Upgrade
• Case Study: Nordhavn
• Fuel Management With Algae X
• Preventing Diesel Fuel Spills
• Customizing Diesel Fuel Systems
• Proper Fuel Hose
• Fuel Additives
• Fuel Testing
• What You Should Know About Antifreeze
• Floscan Fuel Flow Computer
• Fuel Economy Tips
• Fuel Tank Repair and Replacement
• Coping With a Leak Emergency

• Sealants, Thread Lockers & Adhesives
• Torque Tech

• Engine Maintenance Log
• Engine Diagnostics 101
• In-water Engine Survey

• Carbon Monoxide: Detection & Protection
• Marine CO Alarms
• Pressure Exhaust Check for CO
• Is Your Boat Ignition Protected?