Summer Maintenance Tips – Watercraft Repair
It’s summer, and there’s nothing better than pulling the motorcycle out of the garage or the jet ski and the boat out of storage to have a little fun while the heat soak into the landscape around you. Before you even start the engine for the first time, this year, though, you may want to keep a few things in mind.
One of the first things you may want to do is take a careful look at your fuel tank. If you failed to properly prepare your vehicle for winter storage, you could be in for a big bill from a motorcycle or watercraft mechanic if you decide to start that engine right away. Instead, take a closer look. Open the cap, and decide whether the fuel inside is clean. If you see any decay at all or residue build up, your best bet is going to be to drain the fuel, then carefully clean the carburetor and the fuel lines before you turn the engine on. Old fuel can have a gumming effect on the line, creating serious problems for your engine. In addition to looking for damage from old fuel, you also want to be on the lookout for rust. A flake of rust here or there could cause you a few additional problems, so cleaning the tank and sealing it before use is an absolute must.
The fuel tank isn’t the only place you’ll want to check for problems during your summer maintenance. You’ll also want to change the fluids if you want to to avoid costly watercraft or motorcycle mechanic fees. You need to drain the old oil from the engine, and make certain you replace the filter at the same time. Then you can put new oil in before you ever crank the engine this summer. Additionally, depending on the vehicle, you’ll want to check the transmission fluid, the brake fluid, and the coolant levels.
The battery is one other area you’ll certainly want to pay attention to as you look things over. You want to ensure no corrosion has occurred while you had your vehicle in storage over the course of the summer. You may want to top each battery cell with a bit of distilled water before you charge it. Naturally, you’ll certainly want to give it a full charge before you put it on the road or in the water, because if you don’t, you could find yourself in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery rather quickly.
If you’re thinking about your motorcycle, one final thing you’ll want to do is check the tires. They need to be properly inflated before you ride, and you want to make certain there aren’t any cracks or bubbles that could lead to a blow out.
Any good mechanic in Austin can help you with these tasks if you’re not sure how to handle them on your own. The key is to make sure you do them so your vehicle will last as long as possible.












