A Little Lube’ll Do Ya

As any female diesel mechanic will tell you, proper lubrication is critical for good sex – but no less critical for proper engine maintenance. When it comes to engines, lots of clean lube oil is the main thing, but don’t forget the little stuff like waterproof silicone grease – such as seen in today’s Photo of the Day.

We found out the importance of the latter a few weeks ago while trying to replace the impeller on the port engine of Profligate. The impeller came out easy enough, but trying to get the new one in – hampered by strange angles and a cramped engine compartment – was a study in frustration and failure. Fortunately, Richard Bernhard of the Oceanside-based Valiant 40 Surf Ride came along with a suggestion – swab a little waterproof silicone grease on the impeller. He says it always does the trick for him, and he replaces his impeller every other time he changes the oil in his engine.

A little lube was indeed the key, for as soon as we put a little on the impeller, it went in like a . . . well, this is a family magazine, so we’ll let you mentally complete the metaphor.