Date: 03 June 2010
Contact: Kirk Scarborough
USCG Auxiliary Public Affairs Dept.
Email: Captkirk55@aol.com
www.auxpa.org
Press Release
Prevention: Maintain Your Boat’s Fuel System
Los Angeles, Calif….. Spring has officially arrived and most boaters have started the process of Dewinterizing their boats. The most overlooked item is the fuel system. Since your boat has been sitting all winter, it is imperative to clean and maintain your fuel system prior to running the motor. Clean fuel is essential to ensure your boat is always running at its peak performance.
Pour a small amount of fuel into a glass jar and let it set for a while. If you see contaminants or dirt settle at the bottom of the jar make sure to filter your gas prior to putting it in your boat motor. Approximately 90% of engine problems can be directly attributed to dirty, contaminated fuel.
A small amount of water in gasoline will not damage the motor. But any amount of water in diesel fuel could spell catastrophe and destroy your engine.
A few things to remember:
- Check for contaminated fuel
- Check fuel cap for leaks
- Check vent fittings
- If fuel is dirty, remove all of it and start over with clean fuel
- Maintaining boat fuel systems will save money on costly repairs
- The last thing you want is to be stranded without a motor working
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer Component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America’s Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service’s missions.
AuxGuidanceSkills.Info is geared to providing "Public Service Articles in the pursuit of Recreational Boating Safety" to that end, we will continue to add to our series on Help Wanted, Homeland Security, Public Education, Public Service, Vessel Safety and Environmental Issues, though the use of 'case studies', as our teaching tool of choice. In addition, our Leadership series offers those within the Coast Guard family, as well as outside, an insight into values that will improve their leadership skills.