And what of that second scenario—the one where the core engine is intact but the ancillaries fail? Whether your engines are old or new, gasoline or diesel, the components that reside outside of the core engine are constantly at risk due to the salty marine environment. Corrosion is the main culprit here, and the battle against it is constant and never-ending. You should inspect your engine visually every month for corrosion, and when you find it, remove it down to bare metal, prime the area, and paint it with manufacturer-approved engine paint. The key to corrosion is catching it early and treating it aggressively, before the component is so deteriorated that it has to be replaced. This is especially true of bolts and other fasteners. Once they’re rusted they may no longer do their job properly, leading to leaks and more corrosion and maybe even overheating, and you’ll pay hell getting them out.