Extreme weather conditions can badly affect certain kinds of materials. For example, rubber and plastic are particularly susceptible to warping in the heat and breaking in the cold. During wintertime, hoses might crack. These might also break in the extreme cold weather. Hose seals might also crack or break near the edges, particularly when these accumulate rust and corrosion.

Here are a few things you should check on your hoses on your boat’s engine. Checking is best done regularly, although you should focus on ensuring the integrity of your hoses especially during wintertime.

Leaks. Feel around your hoses to check for leaks. You can check for leaks by inspecting the area around the hoses. If there is water or oily grime around the hoses, wipe these dry. See if the area becomes wet or oily again. If this is the case, then you probably have a leaking hose.

Clips. Most hoses are held by clips or clamps that are tightened with screws or bolts. Check each clip if it’s holding the hose tightly enough. Also, check for corrosion. These metal clips and clamps might get rusty, and lose their effectiveness in the long run.

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Dryness and cracking. Hoses that undergo extreme weather are prone to drying and cracking. One sure sign that a hose is about to crack is when it’s really dry and if it looks brittle. If the hose is chipping off a bit at a time, this means you will have to replace it soon.

One good way to check for the health of your hoses is to pull and twist them toward different directions. If the hose is still flexible and still has enough “play,” then they are still within their serviceable life. However, if the hose is harder than usual, or if it’s no longer flexible when you move it around, then you will have to consider replacing them soon.

Belts. Aside from hoses, you need to check your engine belts. Check the tension by pressing a finger at the midpoint between pulleys. If the “give” is more than one inch, then you will need to either adjust the pulleys or replace the belt. If a belt is already frayed, this means you will need to replace it.

Bilge pump. Make sure your bilge pump is working. These will usually work on their own, without any user intervention. You can check if it’s properly working by reaching into the engine bay, grabbing the bilge pumps and flipping them up. From here, you can see if they are properly turning on. Your engine will usually have two pumps—one set higher than the other.

As a recap, boat maintenance should start from checking these things: the hoses, the belts, and the bilge pump. Be sure to check the level and quality of oil in your engine, too. As the seasons change, so will your boat have to adjust with the changes in temperature and humidity. It’s usually the parts like the hoses, belts, and oil that are affected.