Any tips for winterizing my outboard ?

[hotbeek]

I know there's still time but, this is my first year with an outboard. What will I need to winterize ? This has got to be easier than my previous inboards.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kary]

Change out lower unit oil...if its clear and clean, all is good. If it is cloudy it may need seals for next year. Change your water impeller every other year or sooner if run in low water or debris conditions. run antifreeze to the powerhead if possible(I have a 5 gal bucket setup with a garden hose fitting) and fog it. Some or most do not even do the antifreeze thing and survive.

 

[JW]

I never do the anti-freeze thing with my outboards. They drain out enough when you trim up and down all the way a few times to clear the water out. I just do lower unit fluid and then fog the motor until it dies, then pull the plugs and fog the top of the pistons. Also grease the zerks. I get it really goo'ed up for a nice smoky spring start!

 

[jgreen]

Yeah, what he said!!

Smokey spring start, you aren't kidding there. I do the same with mine and when I started it up this spring (it was really hard to start) I made the mistake of leaving the windows in the cabin open with fans blowing in. After it started the cabin filled with smoke and it took a looooooong time to clear it out again. My wife was inside at the time, she was NOT happy with me at all.

 

[wark2]

i've heard that some guys run thier last tank of fuel real heavy on the oil like 32-1 and thewy said thats all tha they do????

 

[jgreen]

I dont know about that, but I am a firm believer in fogging now. When I bought my boat, the previous owner didnt fog the motor, when I went to use it it constantly overheated. I took it to my mechanic and after he tore it down he found the crank was pitted. He said it was caused by improper winterization, one of the rollers in the crank bearings sat on the crank in the same spot all winter long without enough lube and pitted the crank which then eventually took down my motor.

 

[xsive]

I know there's still time but, this is my first year with an outboard. What will I need to winterize ? This has got to be easier than my previous inboards.

Thanks in advance.

What kind of motor is it? If it is an opti the winterizing procedure is different..

 

[hotbeek]

It's a 2000 Mercury 225efi.

 

[xsive]

Before Periods of Storage[B]
FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT[/B]: Gasoline containing alcohol (ethanol or methanol) can cause a formation of acid during storage and can damage the fuel system. If the gasoline being used contains alcohol, it is advisable to drain asmuch of the remaining gasoline as possible from the fuel tank, remote fuel line and engine fuel system.
Fill the fuel system (tank, hoses, fuel pump, carburetors and fuel injection systems) with treated (stabilized) fuel to help prevent formation of varnish and gum. Proceed with the following:
1. Portable Fuel Tank -- Pour the required amount of Quicksilver Gasoline Stabilizer (follow instructions on container) into fuel tank. Tip fuel tank back and forth to mix stabilizer with the fuel.
2. Permanently Installed Fuel Tank -- Pour the required amount of Quicksilver Gasoline Stabilizer (follow instructions on container) into a separate container and mix with approximately one quart (one liter) of gasoline. Pour this mixture into fuel tank.
3. Place the outboard in water or connect flushing attachment for circulating cooling water. Run the engine for ten minutes to allow treated fuel to fill the fuel system.

Storage
PROTECTING EXTERNAL OUTBOARD COMPONENTS
1. Lubricate all outboard components listed in the Inspection and Maintenance Schedule.
2. Touch up any paint nicks.
3. SprayQuicksilverCorrosionGuard on engine exterior (except corrosion control anodes).

PROTECTING INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENTS
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) Models
NOTE: Make sure the fuel system has been prepared
for storage.
1. Remove spark plugs and inject a five second spray of Quicksilver Storage Seal around the inside of each cylinder.
2. Rotate the flywheel manually several times to distribute the storage seal in the cylinders. Reinstall spark plugs.
3. Remove the water separating fuel filter and empty contents in a suitable container. Replace fuel filter annually or every 100 hours of operation or if a large amount of fuel contamination is present.

POSITIONING OUTBOARD FOR STORAGE
Store outboard in an upright (vertical) position to allow water to drain out of outboard.
CAUTION
If outboard is storedtilted upin freezing temperature, trapped coolingwater or rainwater that may have entered the propeller exhaust outlet in the gear case could freeze and cause damage to the outboard.

BATTERY STORAGE
1. Follow the battery manufacturers instructions for storage and recharging
2. Remove the battery from the boat and check water level. Recharge if necessary.
3. Store the battery in a cool, dry place.
4. Periodically check the water level and recharge the battery during storage.

GEAR CASE
Drain and refill the gear case lubricant.

I've been told the reason why Mercury does want you to fog an EFI outboard through the intake, is because the fogging oil can plug injectors...I don't know it that is fact or not.

 

[fjowtlawrose]

Job well done XSIVE!!!!!!!!!!! Stabe is very inportant I blew My 115 merc to pieces because of a pluged carb. I stable and in the spring remove and clean my carbs

 

[Kary]

We stabilize

We still have a few that don't want to run in the spring and need carb jobs

 

[claupie]

Before Periods of Storage[B]
FUEL SYSTEM
IMPORTANT[/B]: Gasoline containing alcohol (ethanol or methanol) can cause a formation of acid during storage and can damage the fuel system. If the gasoline being used contains alcohol, it is advisable to drain asmuch of the remaining gasoline as possible from the fuel tank, remote fuel line and engine fuel system.
Fill the fuel system (tank, hoses, fuel pump, carburetors and fuel injection systems) with treated (stabilized) fuel to help prevent formation of varnish and gum. Proceed with the following:
1. Portable Fuel Tank -- Pour the required amount of Quicksilver Gasoline Stabilizer (follow instructions on container) into fuel tank. Tip fuel tank back and forth to mix stabilizer with the fuel.
2. Permanently Installed Fuel Tank -- Pour the required amount of Quicksilver Gasoline Stabilizer (follow instructions on container) into a separate container and mix with approximately one quart (one liter) of gasoline. Pour this mixture into fuel tank.
3. Place the outboard in water or connect flushing attachment for circulating cooling water. Run the engine for ten minutes to allow treated fuel to fill the fuel system.

Storage
PROTECTING EXTERNAL OUTBOARD COMPONENTS
1. Lubricate all outboard components listed in the Inspection and Maintenance Schedule.
2. Touch up any paint nicks.
3. SprayQuicksilverCorrosionGuard on engine exterior (except corrosion control anodes).

PROTECTING INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENTS
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) Models
NOTE: Make sure the fuel system has been prepared
for storage.
1. Remove spark plugs and inject a five second spray of Quicksilver Storage Seal around the inside of each cylinder.
2. Rotate the flywheel manually several times to distribute the storage seal in the cylinders. Reinstall spark plugs.
3. Remove the water separating fuel filter and empty contents in a suitable container. Replace fuel filter annually or every 100 hours of operation or if a large amount of fuel contamination is present.

POSITIONING OUTBOARD FOR STORAGE
Store outboard in an upright (vertical) position to allow water to drain out of outboard.
CAUTION
If outboard is storedtilted upin freezing temperature, trapped coolingwater or rainwater that may have entered the propeller exhaust outlet in the gear case could freeze and cause damage to the outboard.

BATTERY STORAGE
1. Follow the battery manufacturers instructions for storage and recharging
2. Remove the battery from the boat and check water level. Recharge if necessary.
3. Store the battery in a cool, dry place.
4. Periodically check the water level and recharge the battery during storage.

GEAR CASE
Drain and refill the gear case lubricant.

I've been told the reason why Mercury does want you to fog an EFI outboard through the intake, is because the fogging oil can plug injectors...I don't know it that is fact or not.

is it the same procedure w/97 225 pro-max.???

 

[xsive]

is it the same procedure w/97 225 pro-max.???

yes

 

[Mr. Inline 6]

Hotbeek

Where are you located in Wrightstown? I live over on Longwood Lane. Would love to take a look at the Pulsare.

Rick

 

[hotbeek]

I'm at 159 Tigers Den Court. Take D or Plum Rd. toward Hollandtown. Turn left on Norman or Golden Wheat. Our backyard is right off the high school soccer fields. Give me a call any time 621-8038(Paul) always love to talk boats or anything motorized. You'll see what I mean when you see my garage(LOL) I'll be in and out this weekend. Saturday AM ? Sunday afternoon we're taking the kids to tour Pierce's plant(see firetrucks being made YAHOO !)

Do you have a Checkmate ? If so, what year make and model ?Talk to you later !

Paul