Winterizing: Do I Fog my 200hp EFI XL?

[Blkcorvair]

When I winterize my 2001 Merc 200hp EFI XL, do I fog this motor? I read that with the Optimax this is a no-no because it will damage O2 sensors. Not sure about my motor?

Thanks!

 

[PA-Checkmate]

I would think it depends where you keep the boat/engine and how cold. For my 300xs all I do is treat the fuel, but it stays in a garage that has no heat most of winter. I do run the heat when working on other projects. I'm in PA so it can get very cold.

 

[Tom Magnus]

I have a 300 XS 2010 I just bought, do I need to fog the motor or change the lower unit lube??? I live in Wisconsin.

 

[keith4216]

I thought you o/b guys just lower the motor and go have a beer.

 

[karzrus]

I just did mine,
1. change the leg oil,
2. drain any h2o from the separator on the port side of the motor
3. Add fuel stabilizer and fill tank up
4 Run the motor on the hose for a few mins to get stable fuel in the motor
5. Stand the motor up after your done to drain the h2o out and pull the battery

 

[Tom Magnus]

we do have a beer while we are winterizing the motor. maybe a little brat and cheese to celebrate A good summer.

3 questions for you: 1. when you said leg I assume you mean the lower unit gear lube. do you change gear lube every year or do you just make sure there's no water in it and if there's no water In the gear Oil just tighten screw back on. number 2: it sounds like you do not fog the engine. is that a thing of the past. number 3: is this separator something on newer engines I have never dealt with that on my old 200 mercury 1980.

 

[chrispallen]

I change my lower unit oil twice a year. fall, and part way through the summer.

a quart of gear oil a couple times a year is a small insurance policy

 

[JW]

My ETEC 150 has a procedure for fogging for storage: it uses its own synthetic oil. 1/2 throttle in neutral, start engine. Engine runs at low idle. Count 15 seconds, pull lever back to idle position, count 15 seconds. Advance throttle again to 1/2 in neutral, and within 30 seconds the motor fogs itself and shuts down.
Merc Opti doesn't have a procedure in the computer yet? What does the manual say about long term storage?

 

[Budman]

This fogging stabilizing winterizing stuff is why I moved from the Midwest.

I just drink the beer and celebrate 365 days a year.

 

[john lamon]

My ETEC 150 has a procedure for fogging for storage: it uses its own synthetic oil. 1/2 throttle in neutral, start engine. Engine runs at low idle. Count 15 seconds, pull lever back to idle position, count 15 seconds. Advance throttle again to 1/2 in neutral, and within 30 seconds the motor fogs itself and shuts down.
Merc Opti doesn't have a procedure in the computer yet? What does the manual say about long term storage?

For Opti pull spark plugs and put one once Mercury storage seal in each hole, bump key with plugs out and re-install plugs.