The Guide to Checking Outboard Motor Engine Mounts
Any person who has ever owned a boat with and outboard motor engine knows just how powerful these compact engines can be. When cranked to a high performance level, outboard motor engines generate a great deal of force, almost causing the entire structure of the boat to vibrate and shake violently.
With the destructive capabilities of the outboard motor engine fully obvious to the human eye, it should be no surprise that continuous use of the device can wreak serious havoc on the mounting that attaches the engine to the boat. The constant wear and tear of the mounting caused by engine use means that frequently checking outboard motor engine mounts is a must-do for all motorboat owners.
What you may not know is just how disastrous damage to the engine mounting can be. A broken or compromised engine mount can be disastrous, and at its worst can even cause complete transmission failure from the additional stress put on the gears and shaft bearings. Complete destruction of the transmission can also occur from the severe vibrations caused by the motor itself, especially if the mount is not working as intended to reduce the effects of the vibrating. A damaged mount can also cause smaller damages that amplify over time, like facilitating the leaking of stuffing boxes and the loosening of joints, clamps, and gears.
In combating the eventual damage caused by an outboard motor, the best tool is to make sure that your engine mount is properly picked and installed to begin with. This is particularly important for long and large vessels, as any misalignment of the mount is amplified over the entire length of the boat.
The best mounting jobs will keep the engine from moving in respect to the body of the vessel, which reduces the overall rocking and bucking that eventually wears down all parts of the vessel. Often, a proper mount will not be as cheap as the lest expensive mounts offered on the market, but they ultimately pay dividends by improving the lifespan of your boat and boosting your resale value.
Checking outboard motor engine mounts once they are installed is not a difficult procedure. Your primary job will be to ensure that shaft alignment is correct, as a poorly aligned shaft is often to blame when a motor causes a vessel to thrust in multiple directions, taking material stress and structural damage. Your primary tool for determining any faults or defects will be your eyes.
Run trials at two speeds, idling and cruising. Observe the shaft while doing so. If the shaft is wobbling or jerking, it’s a sign that it is meeting non adequate resistance from the mount. If there is no sign of twitching, there can still be a problem. While cruising at a low speed, put your hand on the shaft. If you can feel it pulling in a direction, it is a sign of trouble. Diagnosing mount alignment problems can take a few tries, but it is ultimately worth it for preserving the life and function of your boat.