Are you using the same spark plugs on your boat for a long time and worried about its condition? Is it OK to use spark plugs for extended periods without replacing them? How often should boat spark plugs need to be replaced?
As a general rule, experts suggest replacing the spark plugs on the boat every 200 hrs regardless of its condition. But, check the condition, look for corrosion, physical wear & tear, and most importantly, if the engine is trouble starting or sounds rough or not accelerating properly, replace them.
Since spark plugs play a crucial role in creating a spark and igniting the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion cylinder, thus, starting the engine, many recommend replacing them every 200 hours regardless of their condition so that you need not worry about the engine failure in the middle of the lake.
But, you can replace them on condition. If the spark plugs are corroded or subjected to physical wear and tear, or most importantly, if the boat engine is not starting or sounds rough or not accelerating properly, it’s time to replace your boat spark plugs.
It also depends on the number of hours used and, above all, at what RPMs you usually go, i.e., low RPMs or high RPMs. Going at 5,000 RPMs will ignite the spark inside the cylinders twice than at 2,500 RPMs, resulting in a quick replacement of the spark plugs.
IMPORTANT – A bad fuel filter also causes similar problems like engine sputtering while starting and a decrease in the top speed or unable to accelerate properly. So, it would help if you look at the fuel filter condition as well before immediately replacing the spark plugs unnecessarily.
Essentially, look for the color of the fuel in the fuel filter to know whether it is causing the problem or spark plugs. If the fuel color inside it is different (other than fuel color), change the fuel filter and check again. Still, if the engine sputters or unable to accelerate properly, change the spark plugs after inspection.
Related post – How often to replace a boat fuel filter? Check this article to know all the bad symptoms to look for while replacing a fuel filter on your boat.
Before going into the technical essence related to the spark plugs, take a look at this small video on the spark plugs working if you aren’t familiar with it’s working.
When to replace boat spark plugs? 4 bad symptoms to look for
We will now see the symptoms that bad spark plugs will show. However, it would be best if you verify those bad symptoms before replacing the spark plugs.
Visual confirmation: Physical wear and tear
More than anything else, bad visuals tell you more, and you can decide on that factor most times. You can decide that by just looking at the spark plugs if the spark plugs are corroded, or moisture is present on the electrode, or if the electrode is wet, it is recommended to replace the spark plugs.
The color of the center electrode (tip of the center electrode) will give you more insights. If it is dark in color, it is time for a replacement. Otherwise, if the tip is lightish gray or brown indicates that the spark plug is operating at optimum temperature and that the engine is in good condition.
So, by looking at the spark plug condition, you can decide whether to replace it or not (most of the time). You can only do this if you inspect them frequently, once every season or so. Otherwise, you may not find the issue until your engine stops in the middle of the lake or elsewhere.
Trouble starting the engine (sputtering)
Spark plugs have one of the most important jobs to do in your boat: to provide the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion cylinder, powering the engine. Old, worn-out spark plugs will have a more difficult time creating the spark that actually powers your engine.
If your boat stalls when you are trying to turn it on, there could be a problem with spark plugs or damaged spark plug wires. But as mentioned earlier, check the fuel filter condition as well since it also poses similar symptoms. Still, if the boat doesn’t start, inspect the battery.
Your boat’s engine needs to work harder to compensate for worn or clogged spark plugs. It may be challenging to start your boat if the weather conditions are harsh. There’s just not enough spark to turn the engine over. So, check the spark plug’s condition periodically and replace them if needed.
Poor engine performance
As mentioned earlier, a bad spark plug can cause engine sputtering. In the same way, it can also decrease the engine’s performance. Under heavy loads, a bad spark plug may randomly cause the engine to hesitate, surge, or sputter. You could see it under normal loads if the loss is severe.
That hesitate, surge, or sputter tends to be more prominent when accelerating, especially in the rough waters. Although there may be no symptoms under normal conditions in calm waters, a bad spark plug will starve the engine of the extra fuel ignition needed when quickly accelerating.
Depending on the extent of the spark restrictions caused by a lousy spark plug, a boat engine may also shake or stutter at different speeds. So, you won’t get as much power as you used to get if the engine isn’t getting that extra power needed if the air-fuel mixture isn’t igniting. If you see those signs, replace your spark plugs.
Harsh engine sounds (at idle and while cruising)
If your spark plugs are failing, your engine will sound rough and jittery (like rattling, pinging, or knock-like noise) when running at idle or even while at cruising speed. This can cause vibrations to resonate through the boat, which could cause further costly damage.
Whether you drive a boat (cruising) with a two-stroke engine or four-stroke engine, you’ll notice when at least one of the spark plugs is failing by the noise. Reducing the effectiveness of a cylinder overworks the others and can create strange noises, like rattling.
If you see all those signs, it’s time to replace your spark plugs. If you don’t know how to replace a spark plug, have a look at this short video on that.
The key takeaways from the post
Spark plugs on a boat need to be replaced if they look bad (corrosion or any) or wearing off or, most importantly, if the engine is not starting or sounds rough or not accelerating properly. As a general rule, experts suggest replacing them every 200 hours regardless of their condition for peace of mind.
Since spark plugs play a crucial role by creating a spark and igniting the air-fuel mixture in the combustion cylinder, thus, starting the engine, many recommend replacing it every 200 hours regardless of its condition, so that you need not worry about the engine failure in the middle of the lake.
But, you can replace them on condition. If the spark plugs are corroded or subjected to physical wear and tear, or most importantly, if the boat engine is not starting or sounds rough or not accelerating properly, it’s time to replace your boat spark plugs.
However, a bad fuel filter also causes similar problems like engine sputtering while starting and a decrease in the top speed or unable to accelerate properly. So, it would help if you look at the fuel filter condition as well before immediately replacing the spark plugs unnecessarily.