Your First Aid Guide for an Overheating Inboard Boat Engine

There is no doubting that boat engines generate lots of heat when powering your boat through water waves. The heat usually comes from the working mechanism of the motors and other components, which depend on the combustion of fuels to deliver the power you need. Therefore, boat manufacturers use several techniques to make sure that heat generated does not get out of hand and impede the performance of the engine. If your inboard engine happens to overheat, then you need to diagnose and address the problem as soon as possible. Here is a guide that will help you understand the things you need to do if you run into this problem: 

Correct Paint Application

Your boat's engine and the paintwork might not seem to have any correlation. The engine powers the boat while the paint is just there for protective coating and décor, right? Well, think again. Paint is essential for controlling marine growth in your inboard engine. The moist and warm environment close to your marine engine is conducive for a host of marine plants. These plants will crowd out the area and deprive the engine for the water it needs to stay cool. Other water-dependent parts will also feel these effects and succumb to the effects of the heat. Gladly, you can counter this problem by removing the screens, cleaning the hull thoroughly and dabbing a protective paint coating on the interior. 

See-Through Globes for Engine Strainers

Most inboard engines come with strainers for the engine and the accessories adjacent to it. The purpose of the strainers is to protect the engine from foliage, debris and other kinds of dirt that can find their way into the engine area. The strainers also restrict the entry of marine animals that can trespass into the delicate engine compartment. Certainly, you must clean these strainers periodically to keep them functioning well. A see-through globe installed on the strainers lets you know when it is time to clean the strainers. Stainless steel strainers are not ideal because they need disassembly to see if you need to carry out the cleaning. The routine can slip through your fingers easily when the dirt is not in sight. 

Replace the Water Pump Impeller

An overheating engine could also be the result of a malfunctioning water pump impeller. Look out for worn impellers with damaged vanes, cracks or weird noise during operation and replace it as soon as possible. It must be in good condition to keep your engine from overheating. 

For additional tips, reach out to a local marine engineer.