Winter Prep

[85Predictor]

My boat did not make it into the water this year. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

I did run the motor with the ear muffs on today.
Do I need to do anything with the lower unit oil before Winter hits? The lower unit had new oil put in last Fall.

Thanks!!

[85Predictor]

My boat did not make it into the water this year. http://www.checkmate-boats.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

I did run the motor with the ear muffs on today.
Do I need to do anything with the lower unit oil before Winter hits? The lower unit had new oil put in last Fall.

Thanks!!

[JW]

If the motor was never in the water, and you had fresh oil in it last year, then it's OK, unless you left the motor trimmed up all year and the rain sat inside the exhaust/propshaft housing, AND you have a bad seal.

Just put stabil in the gas and run the motor for 15 minutes to get it into the carbs and then fog the motor and you're done.

[Chucker]

What does it mean to "fog" the motor? This was my first season with an outboard, and I definately want to make sure I winterize it properly. Thanks!

[panther150]

Go to you're local marina or auto parts store and get a can of fogging oil .Remove you're air box cover plate exposing the carbs.Put the "earmufs" on with hose and water pressure on so you can see water coming out you're cooling system outlet,then start her up at idle and let it warm up for a minute,(dont start it up for even a second without water pressure or you will fry you're water pump impeller) then spray the fogging oil into all the carb bores. The motor will smoke alot while you're doing this, the trick is to spray just enough to still keep the motor running and disconnect the fuel line, and let it run out of fuel while you're fogging it.I then pull the plugs and spray some down each plug hole and you're done. Before you do this add some fuel stabilizer to you're tank so the fuel left in you're tank, fuel pump,ETC. is treated until next spring.This is also a good time to check or change you're element in youre water separating fuel filter if you have one, and clean the fillter screen by you're carbs.Next spring leave the old plugs in for the first startup and change them after you're first time out .Thats what I do anaway, any other suggestions?

[panther150]

Nice boat, bye the way!

[marcus.in.calgary.ab.canad]

Re:
Winterizing:
Excellent instructions Panther! I could not have explained it much better.. Some guys use WD 40 to fog with. Any comments on that?
Here in Alberta I hoped would get some more outings but its not looking good. We've got stock car season to finish off first.
Street Stocks (http://www.allforoneracing.ca)

[Blizz]

I would not use WD40 to fog. A can of fogging oil is only about 5 bucks and will last a couple of seasons. There are alot of manufacturers and mechanics recommending that you do not run your carbs dry any more (for different resons). Just make sure your gas has stabilizer in it and you run your eng long enough to get it all the way through your system.

[panther150]

I wold not use wd40 to fog with, the fogging oils have more body to them, and they,re cheap. There's nothing wrong with running you,re motor dry at idle when its being fogged.If you're not comfortable doing it, then just fog it until it dies and remove the boal drain screws after to drain the remaining gas in the bowls.

[panther150]

If you're motor is fuel injected, I would not run it dry, just add stabilizer , fogg to kill it when warmed up.

[jgreen]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by panther150:
If you're motor is fuel injected, I would not run it dry, just add stabilizer , fogg to kill it when warmed up. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Fog to kill?
On a efi motor, where do I spray it ?
I would like to save myself 90.00 and winterize it myself. I'm not a mechanic just a dumb old bodyman.

I also like to have the wheel bearings packed before I put it away.

[panther150]

On a fuel injected motor you have a throttle body that will still look similar to a carburatos an be in the same place on the front of the motor. With the motor warmed up and idling, spray the fogging oil into the air horn until the motor slowly stops, It will smoke ALOT while you're doing this, wich is normal, what you're doing by fogging the motor is coating the internals with a coating of oil to protect them from moisture for the off season, and other than slighty fouling you're spark plugs on the first fire up the next season,it wont hurt anything.

[panther150]

excuse my spelling , my fingers are'nt connected to my brain today!!

[jgreen]

panther150,

Does the ammount of stabilizer you put in vary with the ammount of fuel left in the tank?
I have heard people say its better to leave your tank full at the end of the season due to condensation, I have never really paid attention to that, but does it really matter?

[Chris E]

i always store my dads boat with a full tank and i use only the Merc stabilizer, its concentrated and i have never had an issue with water in the fuel come spring. Plus at the right gas prices are going, it'll be cheaper to fill now than next spring http://checkmate-boats.com/graemlins/zx11pissed.gif

[panther150]

The amount of stabilizer you add does depend on on the amount of fuel in the tank.The container will have instructions with the proper ratio in it( I always ad a little more for winter storage.I've always used the Stabil brand , I'm going to try the Mercury stuff this year,thanks Chris!