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Winterizing a 250 xs

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PA-21 Skater said:
Besides doing the fuel thing, my Merc 300xs only states to remove the spark plugs and add about 1oz of TCW-3 oil in each cylinder and crank over a few times. I have no proof but was told not to fog the cylinders.
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In this case the TC-W3 is doing the fogging for you to get a light coat of oil on the cylinders so the continued exposure to varying temperature and humidity doesn't cause any rusting.

xsive said:
I wouldn't waste my time trying to pour oil in the spark plug holes. All that will do is coat the bottom of the cyliner above the rings and most will run out the exhaust port...It's up to you.
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I'm really not trying to tell you guys what to do... you guys are the ones that have the money to buy these $$ motors in the first place, so you can probably afford to replace them-- I couldn't. If you plan to store the motor in an uncontrolled climate and you don't add TC-W3 to the cylinders (as fogging oil, instead of storage seal) you're asking for rust inside the engine and shorter life. My $0.02.

HD- I take it there's no worries about winterizing a warranted motor yourself??
 
ToP_Enticer said:
... you guys are the ones that have the money to buy these $$ motors in the first place, so you can probably afford to replace them--

HD- I take it there's no worries about winterizing a warranted motor yourself??
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I sure as heck don't want to spend the cake to replace it...Remember my friend, money is relative. The newer the toy, the more you spent to purchase it. In the end most of us live to our limits. lol

As far as the warranty goes, I document everything. If I piss within ten feet of this motor I document it in the "notes" section of my warranty booklet.

On top of that my Merc Tech knows that I am pretty much insane when it comes to maintenance and care for my boat (Similar to Big Red, SCT, and a few others around here). I use only Merc products and keep the receipts from the marina (same one everytime), so there is no doubt in any of my previous warranty claims that I maintain my chit.... They were all L/U related by the way.

I choose to put the oil in my cylinders. The book says so, so I do it. Plus, my motor doesn't really smoke, so I feel like I still own a 2-stroke in the spring when I start it for the first time! lol

HD
 
My shop manual says not to spray anything in the cylinder for my EFI and I never really understood that. For a DI 2 stroke motor, well it makes more sense.

I still just ran stabil and a little extra oil from the separate tank like the manual (and my mercury tech buddy) said.

Bottom line is injectors and 2 stroke oil don't really mix in my view. Not for winterizing, not really for the typical run / sit cycle a typical boat goes through. I'm pretty excited to see how my injectors flow on the bench - I bet they're boogered up.
 
winterize

I would also remove the prop, coat the propshaft with a light coat of anti-sieze and seal the lower around the propshaft so that mice etc. do not get in there over the winter. Also grease the pivot fitting to displace any water from there and lube the steering cable/s as well.I would also change the lower unit oil .

Steve
 
I think Wildman would be the authority on how to winterize an XS...take it to Florida in January. That's what I plan to do. :cheers:
 
I stopped by my Merc dealer who I trust 100%. This is what he does for the opti, verados, carb and EFI engines.

fuel stabilizer
quick clean
50:1 oil - gas mix

runs engine 5 minutes on this mix and that's it! Also said this mix is in a 5gal can. He reccomends the owner drain the boat fuel tank.
 
PA-21 Skater said:
I stopped by my Merc dealer who I trust 100%. This is what he does for the opti, verados, carb and EFI engines.

fuel stabilizer
quick clean
50:1 oil - gas mix

runs engine 5 minutes on this mix and that's it! Also said this mix is in a 5gal can. He reccomends the owner drain the boat fuel tank.
Click to expand...

It just shows how every "tech" varies....I was told by MERC "under no circumstances do you want to run oil through an OPTI" DFI problems and compressor issues.

Who knows!!!! We could all be wrong. All I know is that my motor started/ran perfect last year.

HD
 
PA-21 Skater said:
I stopped by my Merc dealer who I trust 100%. This is what he does for the opti, verados, carb and EFI engines.

fuel stabilizer
quick clean
50:1 oil - gas mix

runs engine 5 minutes on this mix and that's it! Also said this mix is in a 5gal can. He reccomends the owner drain the boat fuel tank.
Click to expand...

He is wrong. He should attend some of the training the factory makes available. They NEVER want you to pre-mix. They do don't want anything but gasoline and the perhaps quckclean through the injectors.

Even on breakin where the oil is doubled it doesn't happen by pre-mixing, the computer tells to oil pump.
 
ONE thing I'm glad to see, is there's a few here quoting from a factory service manual. I keep mine right by the computer. I SPENT THE MONEY. I have both a Merc factory manual and the Honda factory manual for both my motors. I downloaded the factory manual for my old Sea Doo and for my current Honda R-12.

I feel pretty strongly about people on the site telling someone else what to do, WITHOUT consulting the Merc factory service manual.

RULE of thumb: If advice is not coming straight from the Merc (or BRP or Yamaha or Honda etc.) service manual, then it's worthless information. Nobody on the site should be using info from anyone that isn't quoting from the manufacturer service manual. :popcorn:
 
JW said:
ONE thing I'm glad to see, is there's a few here quoting from a factory service manual. I keep mine right by the computer. I SPENT THE MONEY. I have both a Merc factory manual and the Honda factory manual for both my motors. I downloaded the factory manual for my old Sea Doo and for my current Honda R-12.

I feel pretty strongly about people on the site telling someone else what to do, WITHOUT consulting the Merc factory service manual.

RULE of thumb: If advice is not coming straight from the Merc (or BRP or Yamaha or Honda etc.) service manual, then it's worthless information. Nobody on the site should be using info from anyone that isn't quoting from the manufacturer service manual. :popcorn:
Click to expand...

I agree. The problem is that one person could have an EFI while another has Carbs, while another has DFI. To further cloud the issue different "techs" also make different recommendations.

Good point. :bigthumb:

HD
 
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