How to service a 2-stroke outboard

Stu Davies revives a 1989 2hp outboard motor

- Stu Davies

Although new 2-stroke engines are no longer available for recreational boating, they remain popular on the secondhand market. In fact they sell now for more than they cost when new because they're light, robust and easy to maintain and repair.

It's important to service an outboard for several reasons. Number one on a 2-stroke is that the spark plug can get dirty – the oil for the engine is actually in the fuel and it can be a dirty mix, oiling up the spark plug over time.

The oil in the gearbox needs changing every couple of years too, or checked every year and then changed if necessary. The seals do go, and water can get into the oil so we need to deal with that.