What to Inspect on Your Engine or Generator

This inspection is not meant to replace routine maintenance and service by a professional mechanic. Engines are complicated and should only be repaired by qualified technicians.

Areas to inspect include:

• Water inject exhaust elbow
• Exhaust manifold
• Pipe nipple between water injected elbow and exhaust manifold
• Cylinder head gasket
• Exhaust pipe
• All clamps
• All exhaust hoses
• All fitings
• Shock mounts

What to look for includes:

• Exhaust leaks
• Cracks in hoses, pipes and components
• Black streaking: this can mean loose parts are allowing exhaust to escape
• Corrosion in hoses, pipes and components
• Corroded pipe nipple on exhaust elbow: move the elbow to check for looseness
• Change in exhaust sound
• Change in exhaust smell in the engine room or boat interior (CO is odorless, but may be mixed with other exhaust gases)
• Check for pitting, pin holes, and cracks or loose rust at the ends of pipe nipples and thread roots