Outboard motors have been around in one form since the late 1800s, but they didn’t become widely used until the 1960s and 1970s. They are most commonly used on smaller boats, and their primary purpose is to provide propulsion. When an outboard motor is maintained correctly, it can last a long time. Listed below are some essential facts about outboard motor life expectancy:
It is important to note that these are averages, and multiple factors can determine how long your specific engine will last.
It is important to note that these are averages, and multiple factors can determine how long your specific engine will last. Here are some common factors:
- Engine quality
- Your use of the motor (how often you use it)
- The condition where you store your motor when not in service (exposure to extreme temperatures, moisture, etc.)
If you treat the engine well and maintain it properly with regular oil changes, it will run more smoothly and last longer. An oil change should take place every 50-100 operating hours.
The maintenance required varies depending on how often the boat is used and whether it is used in salt water or fresh water. You should change your boat’s oil more often if it is used in saltwater (every 30 hours).
The same goes for freshwater engines, which need to change their oil around 50 hours instead of 100 hours for a standard outboard motor operating in fresh water.
It’s essential to ensure that any equipment used on your boat is properly maintained and serviced regularly to continue functioning at its optimal level throughout its lifetime. The same goes for outboards; if you want them to last as long as possible, take care of them regularly!
The average outboard motor that is properly cared for and maintained will last about twice as long as one that is neglected.
If you have a life span of twelve years, you need to add about twenty percent on top of that if you’re taking care of your engine correctly.
You can determine your engine’s average lifespan by simply taking your engine’s age and adding twenty percent. So if you have a life span of twelve years, you need to add about twenty percent to take care of your engine correctly.
You can also factor in these things:
- How many hours per year does it spend running?
- How often it’s run hard or under load (like when towing)
These factors will affect how long it’ll last and how much maintenance will be needed between oil changes and other checks like spark plugs and cleaning out any built-up carbon deposits from exhaust ports that might be causing overheating problems.
However, following the proper maintenance procedures doesn’t guarantee your engine will last forever. If you want to buy a cheap outboard motor search on the internet used outboard motors for sale.
Conclusion
If you’re worried about your outboard motor’s future, you can do a few things to maximize its lifespan. First, don’t go too cheap on the parts: if you can afford to buy a genuine replacement part from an authorized dealer instead of a generic brand, it’s worth considering.
Also, please pay attention to when components start showing signs of wear (like rust on metal or cracks in plastic) and replace them before they break down entirely by following our guide for replacing parts on your engine here.